Heartbroken Kaia Gerber’s three weeks of hell since brother Presley’s death

Published: 09:51 EDT, 13 October 2026 | Updated: 09:56 EDT, 13 October 2026

Kaia Gerber has been struggling since the death of her brother Presley from an overdose three weeks ago.

The model, 25, has been sheltering at home with her boyfriend by her side, barely eating and in total shock.

But on Sunday afternoon, clad in an all-black ensemble and shades, she was spotted leaving a Los Angeles gym – an attempt at inching back to normalcy at the urging of her mother, Cindy Crawford.

Grief-stricken: Kaia Gerber retreated from the public to mourn her brother Presley

Presley Gerber, 27, died of a suspected overdose after going into cardiac arrest on September 20 while staying at the Santa Monica rehab facility Resolutions Living – a loss that Kaia is understandably still coming to terms with.

‘She was in total shock so it was a big emotional process just to come to the realization that she would never see her brother again,’ a source close to the family has told the Daily Mail, saying Kaia is ‘still struggling.’

After learning of her brother’s death, the source said, Kaia – the daughter of supermodel Crawford, 60, and businessman Rande Gerber, 64 – ‘stayed at home’ with her boyfriend, 33-year-old actor Lewis Pullman.

‘She had a little cocoon there with friends stopping by. She tried her best to hold it together, but she was not eating much, she had no appetite, which is hard for her as she has said in the past she suffers from “disordered eating,”‘ the source continued, referencing the model’s August Vogue interview in which she discussed her challenges after entering the spotlight.

Breaking cover: The model was spotted leaving a Los Angeles gym on Sunday

‘She also has not cut her hair or done her nails, and she has been in sweats the whole time. Her mom has encouraged her to keep a routine going to help deal with grief. That is why Kaia went to the gym.’

In addition to Lewis, the actress has also leaned on friends and family for support, including actress Laura Dern and influencer Jake Shane.

‘Cindy and Rande have really been there for Kaia, as has George [Clooney],’ the source said. ‘They are bending over backwards to make sure she is OK.’

Heartbreak: ‘Kaia is still struggling with the death of her brother as they were extremely close’

But Kaia is also expected to return to work soon.

Beyond her ‘modeling commitments’ she will also star in her next big role alongside Lewis and Dylan O’Brien in the James Morosini-written and directed thriller Bulls.

According to our source, filming is slated to start by the end of the year, with costume fittings as early as next month.

‘It’s a good thing her boyfriend Lewis, who is her “rock” these days, is her co-star so he can look after her, they are closer than ever,’ the insider said.

‘The shoot will be on location and will demand a lot of her as she has a title role as a “hedonistic” woman who cheats on her husband [played by Pullman]. Kaia cannot back out, but they can push the dates out a bit.

‘Poor Kaia, this will be hard for her and mama bear Cindy is worried.’

Shock tragedy: Presley died at age 27 last month after a suspected overdose

The siblings were extremely close, and in the immediate aftermath of Presley’s death, sources told the Daily Mail that ‘everyone in the family is worried’ about her.

Presley had checked into the Santa Monica facility Resolutions Living the day before he was found dead on September 20.

His remains were ‘cremated’ just days after his passing at the Rose Family Funeral Home, per a death certificate obtained by TMZ. Cindy and Rande will reportedly keep their son’s ashes at their residence.

A final confirmation of any substances that may have played a role in his death must wait until the Medical Examiner’s toxicology report is released.

Family support: Kaia has been leaning on her parents Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber

Staying by her side: The source said Kaia’s boyfriend Lewis Pullman is her ‘rock’

Last November, Presley revealed he had taken a step back from social media to ‘take care of my own mental health for a bit.’

One month later, he opened up about his personal life in a candid social media video and started sharing ‘Mental Health Mondays’ videos on his Instagram.

In one, he listed the medication he takes for ‘night terrors’ and ‘panic attacks,’ saying his use of medication had been ‘fluctuating up and down depending on what’s been going on in my life.’

Long battle: Presley had been open about his struggle with drug addiction and mental health

Earlier this year, he posted about having a ‘Pre-ibogaine flood dose’ at a Mexican treatment clinic, a single, high-dose administration of the naturally occurring psychoactive substance ibogaine that is reported to help with withdrawal symptoms.

The high dose is designed to induce a profound ‘reset.’

Presley’s parents and his sister Kaia praised him for his ‘courage’ in response to his post about starting the treatment in March.

Cindy commented: ‘You are a warrior! Walked thru the fire to find yourself! So proud!’ while Kaia added: ‘That’s my brother I am so damn proud.’

And Kaia wrote: ‘I’m so proud of you and your courage. Facing what’s hard takes real strength and watching you find your way back to yourself is everything. I love you so much.’

Low-key life: Kaia has’not cut her hair or done her nails, and she has been in sweats’

Presley’s death came just weeks after Kaia opened up about the enormous toll her brother’s struggles had taken on their famous family.

‘When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone,’ Kaia told Vogue.

But for all the concerns for Kaia, our source said: ‘Kaia has not had it easy in her 25 years, but she will hang in there, she is a very strong person.’