Presley Gerber’s ex-girlfriend is speaking out.
Charlotte D’Alessio, who dated the model and son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber for two years beginning in 2018, shared an emotional tribute on Instagram Stories on Monday, September 21 — just one day after Presley died at a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica at the age of 27.
“Shared a Pure Love With You”
Alongside a photo of the pair embracing on a dock, D’Alessio wrote: “Shared a pure love with you & for that I thank & honor your life. You deserved more time. You deserved more life. Very angry [about] this.”
Another post included a black-and-white photo of the former couple. Over the image, she wrote: “Love u Pres. always. Up there, down here. Don’t ever doubt that. We all love you so much. I hope you can feel it.”
She also shared a video of Presley running down a path toward a body of water with a small white dog beside him. Her caption read simply: “I will always remember you this way.”
The two met through Presley’s sister, Kaia Gerber, in 2018 and dated for about two years before parting ways. But as D’Alessio made clear, their connection never truly faded.
Lexi Wood: “He Fought So Hard”
D’Alessio wasn’t the only ex-girlfriend to speak out. Lexi Wood, who dated Presley briefly in 2022 and is known for starring on Summer House, shared her own tribute on September 22.
“It’s hard to put into words what it means to lose someone who was such a meaningful part of my life for so many years,” Wood wrote, alongside a carousel of photos and videos of the two together. “Through every chapter and every version of our relationship, friendship was always at the core of it.”
She described Presley as “one of the kindest, most open, loving and courageous people,” adding: “He loved so deeply, so purely, was incredibly romantic and thoughtful.”
Wood also praised his resilience and his commitment to helping others through his struggles. “He fought so hard for his life and he was brave enough to be open about that fight,” she wrote. “More than anything, he wanted to use his story to help other people, and he did.”
She concluded: “He will always hold such a special place in my heart, and we will all miss him forever.”
What Happened
Presley Gerber died on Sunday, September 20, at a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica. According to police records, officers responded to a report of a possible overdose at approximately 9:35 a.m. Paramedics had been called ten minutes earlier for a patient in cardiac arrest. He was pronounced dead at 9:45 a.m.
The Santa Monica Police Department confirmed the death is being investigated as a suspected overdose. “At this time, there is no indication of foul play,” their statement read. “The official cause and manner of death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.”
An autopsy was performed, but the cause and manner of death have been deferred, meaning additional testing was requested and a final determination could take months.
A Family in Mourning
A representative for the Gerber family told PEOPLE: “The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time.”
Sources close to the family told PEOPLE that Cindy Crawford, Rande Gerber, and Kaia Gerber are “devastated.”
A Voice for Mental Health
Presley Gerber had been open about his mental health and substance abuse struggles during his life. He launched a series called “Mental Health Mondays” on social media, sharing his journey with followers and speaking candidly about his attempts to find treatment that worked for him.
“Whether I help one person or a hundred people get out of that place that I was in at one point in my life, that’s all I need to do,” he once said.
His ex-girlfriend Lexi Wood captured that sentiment in her tribute: “More than anything, he wanted to use his story to help other people, and he did.” ❤️
