Presley Gerber’s ex Lexi Wood pays tribute after his death: ‘He fought so hard’

Presley Gerber’s death has shocked the world, and the people who shared special memories with him are beginning to speak out. On Tuesday, his ex-girlfriend, Lexi Wood, took to social media to remember Presley, sharing a deeply personal statement about the relationship they shared over the years.

Wood and Presley dated in 2022 and took to social media following news of his death to reflect on their time together. While the two were romantically involved for a short time, the model made it clear that their connection went far beyond their relationship.

“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,” the 28-year-old wrote. “Through every chapter and every version of our relationship, friendship was always at the core of it.”

Wood went on to remember Presley for the qualities she says those closest to him knew best. “Everyone who loved Presley and was loved by him knows he was one of the kindest, most open, loving and courageous people,” she wrote. “He loved so deeply, so purely, was incredibly romantic and thoughtful.”

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The model also spoke about Presley’s struggles, describing him as someone who continued fighting through difficult moments in his life.

“He was also incredibly resilient. He fought so hard for his life, and he was brave enough to be open about that fight,” Wood wrote. “More than anything, he wanted to use his story to help other people, and he did.”

Wood and Presley went Instagram official with their relationship in November 2022. At the time, Presley shared a series of photos and videos, including a video of them kissing, and wrote that he had found the person who made him “the happiest” he had ever been. Wood shared her own post at the time, writing, “If you didn’t already know, I’m in love.”

The couple also attended events together, including a Casamigos Halloween party hosted by Presley’s parents, Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber. 

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Days after making their relationship public, they walked a red carpet together with his parents at a Malibu event celebrating Crawford.

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Their romance did not last long. By December 2022, reports emerged that the two had split, with a source telling E! News that they “realized very quickly it wasn’t going to be a long-term relationship.”

But Wood’s statement following Gerber’s death suggests that the end of their romance did not erase the bond they had built.

“I feel so lucky to have shared so many years of friendship, so many memories and so much love with him,” she wrote. “He will always hold such a special place in my heart, and we will all miss him forever.”

What happened to Presley Gerber?

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Presley died on Sept. 20, just a day after he checked into a rehabilitation facility in Santa Monica, California. He was 27. 

A source told Page Six, “He had not been doing well. He’s always suffered from a huge lack of self-esteem and had trouble accepting his real self and feeling fully confident in who he was as a person.”

The Santa Monica Police Department said officers responded around 9:35 a.m. to a report of a possible overdose. Police said there was no indication of foul play.

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On Tuesday, TMZ reported that he was prescribed ketamine by a doctor despite having issues with it in the past.  A source told the outlet his friends believe the doctor should be “prosecuted.”

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has completed an autopsy, but Gerber’s official cause and manner of death have not yet been determined. 

Additional testing is being conducted, and the medical examiner’s office said those results could take months.

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Presley had previously been open about his struggles with mental health and substance use. In 2023, he spoke about his experiences on the Studio 22 podcast and discussed wanting to use what he had gone through to help other people.

His family has asked for privacy as they mourn his death.

A representative for Crawford and Rande previously confirmed the news in a statement, saying, “The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time.”