Paris Hilton has paid tribute to her longtime pal Presley Gerber — whom she described as a “beautiful soul” — following his death at the age of 27.
“I’m completely heartbroken. I still can’t believe this is real,” the socialite, 45, wrote on her Instagram Stories on Sunday over a throwback photo of the beaming pair.
“Presley, you were such a beautiful soul. So sweet, sensitive, kind and genuine.
“I cared about you so much and I’m going to miss you more than words can say.”
Hilton reminisced on her longtime friendship with Gerber, the only son of supermodel Cindy Crawford.
The pair rubbed shoulders at high society events in LA. Gerber attended Hilton’s 39th birthday in her LA mansion in February 2020, and he attended the premiere of Hilton’s “Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir” in January – some eight months before his death.
“I’ll always cherish the memories we shared – the laughs, the conversations, and just being around you,” Hilton wrote.
“You had such a gentle heart and there was something so special about you that anyone who was lucky enough to know you could feel.
“I hope you knew how deeply loved you were and how many people cared about you.
“My heart is with your entire family during this unimaginable time. “Rest in peace, my friend. Love you forever. You will be so deeply missed.”
Gerber, who long struggled with addiction, died at a rehab facility. An autopsy has not yet been completed.
Gerber — who followed in his model mom’s footsteps and signed with IMG Models at just 15 years old — had previously made headlines for his struggles with substance abuse and mental health.
At age 19, Gerber was arrested for DUI after being pulled over for speeding in Beverly Hills, California.
In July 2019, he pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor charge and was sentenced to three years of probation, community service, and a DUI program.
The following year, Gerber was photographed completing court-ordered requirements at a drug-testing facility in connection with his 2019 DUI.
In 2024, the Beverly Hills-born model announced he had battled a severe, multi-year opiate addiction and had a near-fatal fentanyl overdose that left him in a coma for a few days.
He later checked into a rehab to undergo treatment with the psychedelic ibogaine.
Gerber has also previously opened up about his battles with prescription medication dependency and just last month, his sister, Kaia spoke candidly about his battles with addiction.
“When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone,” she told Vogue.
“We have this absolute teacher, my brother, who says, ‘I’m gonna be very human for everyone.’ There’s only so much you can hide from the world.
“And trying to put a lid on something just makes the person feel like you’re ashamed of them.”
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