Detectives are investigating the source of the drugs that led to the fatal overdose of Presley Gerber, son of Cindy Crawford, at a Santa Monica rehabilitation center over the weekend.
Gerber, 27, died at the Resolution Living facility in Santa Monica on Sunday. Police have stated there is no initial indication of foul play, but an investigation into the apparent overdose is underway. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s office has conducted an autopsy, with the cause and manner of death pending toxicology results, which are expected to take weeks or months.
The Resolution Living facility describes itself on its website as a "Mental Health Recovery Residence" offering treatment for various mental health issues and addiction. Police reportedly responded to calls concerning cardiac arrest and an overdose at the $7.7 million mansion that houses the center. Resolution Living did not respond to requests for comment.
Law enforcement efforts to trace drug suppliers in overdose cases have become increasingly common. Recent investigations into the deaths of celebrities Hayden Panettiere and Matthew Perry have similarly focused on the procurement of drugs and their distribution, including through investigations into counterfeit pills and conspiracy charges for supplying illicit substances.
Attorneys specializing in wrongful death litigation suggest that the autopsy and toxicology results will be critical in determining legal liability. Depending on the findings, the rehabilitation center could face scrutiny regarding its staffing and the handling of the emergency. Past cases have seen drugs being introduced into rehabilitation facilities, leading to legal action against such centers.
Separately, a 2022 case resulted in a federal prison sentence of over 33 years for Edwin Oliva of Montebello, who was convicted of providing a lethal dose of fentanyl, misrepresenting it as cocaine, which led to a fatal overdose. These instances highlight the complexities and legal ramifications surrounding drug-related deaths.
