Presley Gerber, 27, was found unresponsive at a rehabilitation facility in the 1000 block of Berkeley Street in California on Sunday. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed an autopsy was performed, but the official cause of death remains pending further testing.
Family seeks privacy while experts stress caution
Gerber’s mother, Cindy Crawford, released a brief statement through a family representative asking for privacy during this difficult time. While the exact circumstances of his death have not been disclosed, 911 dispatch records indicate that responders were alerted to a possible overdose.
Medical perspective on potential causes
Dr. Nicholas Kardaris, Ph.D., CEO of the New York Center for Living and clinical professor at Stony Brook Medicine, told Fox News Digital that several medical scenarios could explain a sudden death in a treatment setting. He noted that an acute cardiac event, an undiagnosed health condition, or a medication‑related complication are all plausible explanations.
“Younger people can sometimes die suddenly, and we don’t know whether they had an underlying medical issue,” Kardaris said. “It’s not impossible to have a medication‑related event, particularly if someone has an underlying heart disorder. Certain medications can trigger a cardiac episode.”
Risks inherent to addiction treatment
Rehabilitation programs aim to provide a controlled environment, yet they cannot eliminate every danger associated with addiction, withdrawal, relapse or medical complications. “Facilities take great pains to make sure substances don’t come in, but it’s not a perfect system,” Kardaris explained.
He emphasized that entering treatment does not mean a person’s addiction is cured. “People are in rehab because they’re struggling with addiction. It doesn’t mean they’re cured of the addiction,” he added.
Withdrawal can be life‑threatening
Withdrawal severity varies by substance. While opioid withdrawal is typically uncomfortable rather than fatal, benzodiazepine withdrawal—such as from Valium or Xanax—can cause seizures, delirium and other life‑threatening complications. The FDA warns that abrupt cessation of these drugs can lead to serious reactions.
“Someone might disclose heroin use but not mention that they’re also withdrawing from a benzodiazepine,” Kardaris noted. “If they don’t receive medication to treat that withdrawal, they can have a seizure that can lead to fatal complications.”
Post‑detox relapse risk
After detox, a person’s tolerance to opioids may be reduced, raising the risk of overdose if they return to previous usage levels. “If someone relapses after rehab, they may use the same amount they were using before treatment—but their tolerance has gone down, and that amount can now be fatal,” Kardaris said.
Experimental treatments and regulatory gaps
Gerber had previously spoken about undergoing ibogaine treatment in Mexico. Kardaris cautioned that ibogaine is not FDA‑approved in the United States, and its safety and effectiveness remain uncertain. He grouped ibogaine with other psychedelic or psychoactive substances such as ketamine and ayahuasca, noting that while some research suggests potential benefits, these treatments remain largely unregulated.
“It’s a bit of the Wild West right now,” Kardaris said of the emerging field of psychedelic‑assisted therapy.
Guidance for families
Families considering rehab for a loved one should verify that the facility is licensed, staffed by qualified medical professionals, and has robust protocols for medication management and emergency response. “There are bad actors in every profession, so families should look for a well‑regarded treatment program with qualified people who know what they’re doing,” Kardaris advised.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
