Cameron Rorrison struggled to find words that could capture who Presley Gerber was to the people who knew him.
One week after the 27-year-old model’s death, his former girlfriend shared an emotional tribute on Instagram Stories centered on his “wide-open heart,” compassion and ability to make other people feel important.
Rorrison ultimately called Presley an “angel in this life” and said she hoped he could feel how much love was being directed toward him after his death, according to TMZ.
Presley, the son of Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber and older brother of Kaia Gerber, died September 20. Police are investigating his death as a suspected overdose, but the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has not determined an official cause or manner of death.
Rorrison Remembers Presley’s ‘Wide-Open Heart’
Rorrison said she had been struggling to write about Presley because nothing she could put into words seemed sufficient.
She focused on how he treated other people, describing him as someone with an “inspiring compassion” who made those around him feel seen and valued regardless of who they were.
Rorrison said she had never encountered that quality with the same honesty in another person since knowing Presley. Her message did not address the circumstances of his death or revisit their romantic relationship.
The tribute was shared through Instagram Stories rather than as a permanent feed post. TMZ preserved screenshots of Rorrison’s message after the Story was no longer publicly available.
Rorrison and Presley Dated for Nearly Two Years
Rorrison and Presley began dating in May 2018 and split in early 2020, according to Us Weekly.
They were still appearing together publicly shortly before their breakup. In February 2020, Rorrison joined Presley during an Instagram Live as he addressed the attention surrounding the word “misunderstood,” which he had tattooed across his cheek.
When Presley was asked what his parents thought about the tattoo, Rorrison responded that they liked it. The couple was also photographed together at Paris Hilton’s 39th birthday celebration that month.
By that spring, Presley was being romantically linked to Sydney Brooke. Us Weekly described Rorrison as his most recent ex-girlfriend at the time and reported that the former couple continued following each other on Instagram after their split.
Other Former Girlfriends Have Shared Their Own Memories
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Lexi Wood, who was romantically linked to Presley in 2022 after years of friendship, also shared a tribute following his death. Her permanent Instagram post included photographs documenting different periods of their relationship.
Wood wrote that friendship remained at the center of their connection as it changed over the years. She remembered Presley as kind and courageous and said he “fought so hard for his life.”
Charlotte D’Alessio, another former girlfriend, shared photographs and videos through Instagram Stories. She wrote that Presley “deserved more time” and expressed anger that his life had ended so young.
PEOPLE reported that D’Alessio included a video of Presley running toward the water with a dog and said that was how she would remember him.
Presley Had Spoken Publicly About Addiction and Mental Health
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In the years before his death, Presley became increasingly open about addiction, mental health and his attempts to find treatment that worked for him.
In March, he shared a detailed account of undergoing ibogaine treatment in Mexico. PEOPLE reported that Presley described being frightened before the treatment and wrote about confronting issues he had previously tried to escape.
Crawford responded beneath the post by calling her son a “warrior” and telling him she was proud of him. Kaia also publicly expressed pride in her brother.
Presley had also developed a social media series called “Mental Health Mondays,” using the videos to discuss emotional health, addiction and treatment. During a 2023 podcast appearance, he said that helping even one person avoid some of the experiences he had endured would make speaking publicly worthwhile.
Kaia discussed her brother’s openness before his death in an August Vogue interview. She said their family had traditionally been private about personal struggles and described Presley as a teacher for becoming willing to show vulnerability publicly.
Presley’s Official Cause of Death Remains Undetermined
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said Presley was pronounced dead at 9:45 a.m. on September 20. A deputy medical examiner conducted an examination the following day.
His cause and manner of death were listed as deferred pending additional testing or studies. The Medical Examiner said cases requiring those tests can take several months to resolve.
Santa Monica police have said officers responded to a report of a possible overdose and found no indication of foul play. A suspected overdose therefore remains part of the police investigation, but it has not been established as Presley’s official cause of death.
A representative for the Gerber family confirmed his death and asked for privacy for Crawford, Rande and Kaia. Presley’s body has since been cremated, according to a death certificate obtained by TMZ.