Presley Gerber, the 27-year-old son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber,passed away on September 20.. The tragedy occurred at a luxury rehabilitation center located in Santa Monica, Los Angeles.
The 9:35 a.m. emergency call in Santa Monica
The timeline of the incident suggests a rapidly deteriorating medical crisis. According to audio obtained by the Daily Mail, the first 911 emergency dispatch call was placed at 9:35 a.m. on September 20, initially reporting a cardiac arrest. Within three minutes, the nature of the call was upgraded to an overdose, and by 9:40 a.m., the priority level was raised once again.
Paramedics responded to the scene at the high-end facility, where Presley Gerber was pronounced dead. Sources close to the investigation told TMZ that Gerber was discovered in a bedroom within the rehab house, though he was found near the bed rather than on it. He had checked into the Santa Monica facility only the night before his death.
The ketamine prescription and FDA guidelines
A significant point of contention in the aftermath of the death involves the medical care Presley Gerber received. As TMZ reported, sources indicate that a physician had been prescribing ketmine to Gerber, despite the doctor's awareness of Gerber's history of struggling with the drug. While ketamine is used in various medical contexts, the report notes that using it to treat drug addiction is not an FDA-approved application.
This medical decision has reportedly sparked anger among close friends of the deceased. The use of a dissociative anesthetic for a patient with a known history of addiction raises serious questions about the standard of care provided at luxury facilities, where the line between therapeutic treatment and off-label experimentation can sometimes blur.
A struggle with panic attacks and mental health
Presley Gerber's death follows a prolonged battle with mental health issues, panic attacks, and drug dependency. Despite these struggles, Gerber sought to turn his experiences into a professional pursuit; a death certificate obtained by TMZ lists his occupation as an entrepreneur who worked in the field of mental health.
This trajectory reflects a broader, often tragic trend among high-profile individuals who attempt to navigate the intersection of public visibility and severe mental illness. The support system surrounding the family has been extensive, with figures such as actress Laura Dern and George Clooney providing comfort to Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber during this period.
What the pending toxicology report will reveal
While the autopsy has been completed, the official cause of death remains undetermined. The Medical Examiner is currently awaiting toxicology results to provide final confirmation of any substances that may have contributed to the cardiac arrest. According to sources cited by TMZ, the narcotic fentanyl has not been a primary focus of the investigation thus far, but the results are essential for a complete understanding of the event.
Further clarity is needed regarding the specific protocols the Santa Monica rehab facility followed during Gerber's brief stay. It remains unclear how a patient with a known history of addiction was managed in the hours between his check-in and the 9:35 a .m. emergency call, or how the prescribed ketamine factored into the immediate cause of the cardiac arrest.
The family is now preparing for a small funeral ceremony. Sources indicate they are considering venues such as Malibu Presbyterian Church or Forest Lawn, with the intent to hold the services within a week. Following his cremation at the Rose Family Funeral Home, his ashes will be kept at the residence of his parents.
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