Presley Gerber’s death at 27 puts a spotlight on rehab safety

Presley Gerber's death at 27 puts a spotlight on rehab safety.

Key points

• It's available 24/7 in English and Spanish (TTY: 1-800-487-4889).
• The only son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber died at Resolutions Living sober living home in the Los Angeles area Sunday, Sept.
• Presley Gerber, the son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, has died at 27.
• Presley Gerber dead at 27: What we know regarding Cindy Crawford's son's death.
• Authorities were called to a report of a feasible overdose at the rehabilitation facility at approximately 9: 35 a.m.

Presley Gerber's death at 27 puts a spotlight on rehab safety. Liza Esquibias USA TODAY. Cindy Crawford's son, Presley Gerber, dies at 27.

Presley Gerber, the son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber, has died at 27. He died on Sunday, September 20, at a rehab facility, according to Los Angeles County Medical Examiner records.

Presley Gerber's death while in rehab is raising questions regarding when a treatment facility can be held liable for an overdose death.

In practice, the only son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber died at Resolutions Living sober living home in the Los Angeles area Sunday, Sept. 20, from what the Santa Monica Police Department described as a "suspected overdose." He was 27 years old.

Resolutions Living's website notes it is "a leader in addiction and mental health support, " offering a program "designed for unique needs and individual recovery plans."

John J. Perlstein, a wrongful death attorney based in Southern California, tells USA TODAY that overdose deaths "unfortunately" occur "quite often" at treatment centers, particularly "because you're in there with a lot of people who were addicted to drugs and know how to get drugs." Who is responsible for Presley Gerber's death?

Authorities were called to a report of a feasible overdose at the rehabilitation facility at approximately 9: 35 a.m. Sept. 20. According to other 911 audio obtained by Individuals and Page Six, the dispatch was additionally for "cardiac arrest." Gerber was discovered dead upon arrival.

Perlstein notes a rehab center's liability for the death of a patient varies depending on a number of factors, including the types of services being offered.

While it is unclear what type of treatment program Gerber was enrolled in, his specific recovery plan or what services the facility provided, Perlstein notes negligence can involve both the actions of a facility and those of a patient.

"There can be negligence on the part of the facility. There can be negligence coupled with the acts of the individual themselves, " Perlstein notes.

For context, the level of care can additionally determine what patients and their families can reasonably expect from a facility, Perlstein states.

Medical negligence, for example, involves a licensed healthcare provider who fails to meet their medical responsibilities. Perlstein explains, "If they have IVs going, or if they're medical detox unit, or if they have nurses who are administering things, or doctors or counselors, that comes to a degree of what would fall below the standard of care in the community medically."

Standard negligence can be a result of a facility's failure "to complete a duty or fall through on a duty" to act a certain way as promised, such as not having "enough security or monitoring of the people, " Perlstein notes.

"Let's say at a rehab facility that's a lockdown facility – if you didn't have enough security measures and somebody was allowed to buy drugs or have somebody come to a window, let's say, and sell them something, then would be negligent in allowing that to happen, " he adds, noting, "Then you obtain into a causation problem. Did that negligence cause the death, or did cause their own death?"

Perlstein notes in cases like Gerber's, there are a number of different elements that must be taken into consideration when determining fault.

"The exposure can be unlimited, but there's also the part where the individual plays a role in all of this, " Perlstein continues. "They got themselves there, and then if they ingested drugs voluntarily, what it depends on is the exact factual situation you're dealing with."

For context, the investigation into Gerber's death remains open, and the SMPD confirmed in a press release issued Monday, Sept. 21, that there is no indication of foul play. That same day, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner confirmed an autopsy of Gerber's body was complete and the case was deferred, meaning "additional testing and/or studies were requested in order to make a determination" on cause and manner of death.

For context, a representative for Crawford and Rande Gerber. This person are additionally parents to daughter Kaia Gerber, 25, previously confirmed their only son's death in an official note to USA TODAY: "The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time."

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental and/or substance employ disorders, you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's free and confidential treatment referral and information service at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). It's available 24/7 in English and Spanish (TTY: 1-800-487-4889). SMS Facebook Twitter Email. Share your feedback to support improve our site! Share your feedback to support improve our site!

For now, presley Gerbers death at 27 puts a spotlight on rehab safety remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.