Paris Hilton 'heartbroken' over death of Presley Gerber as she leads celebrity tributes to the model after his sudden passing at 27

Paris Hilton shared that she is 'heartbroken' over the death of her friend Presley Gerber as she led tributes after his sudden passing at age 27.

The 45-year-old socialite had also commented on the model's final Instagram post just hours before news of his passing on Sunday emerged.

Hilton took to her Instagram stories to share a photo of herself with Presley while also penning, 'I'm completely heartbroken. I still can't believe this is real.'

'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.' 

The star added that she will 'cherish the memories' that they made over the years, including 'the laughs, the conversations, and just being around you.'

'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.'

Hilton continued, 'I hope you knew how deeply loved you were and how many people cared about you.' 

At the end of her message, the TV personality sent her condolences to his loved ones. 

'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.' 

Others sent messages and condolences to Presley's family, as one commented on his final Instagram post, 'Omg Presley. No words, such aa kind soul. Rest easy, sending so much love..' 

Entertainment journalist Jason Kennedy wrote, 'Love you Presley.'

A fan added, 'I am so sorry. This breaks my heart so much. Fly high Presley. God bless you and your family and be with them.' 

Internet personality Chase Keith said, 'rest in peace man,' while actress Larsen Thompson typed, 'The bravery, courage, strength, and humility you walked in to share your fight.. You will never be forgotten Presley.' 

Only hours before news of his shock passing came to light, Hilton had commented on Presley's post from August, which saw him modeling clothes from the brand Vuori.

'Love you bro,' she wrote in the comments. She added the heart-face emoji and the heart hands emoji. 

Presley had been inactive on his main feed since sharing the post earlier this year. 

Notably, his last red carpet appearance was on January 20 for the premiere of Hilton's Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir documentary. 

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said that Presley died Sunday at a rehab facility, according to TMZ. His cause of death was not revealed. 

His last Instagram photos showed Presley wearing pieces from the athleisure company while posing outdoors in a black shirt and black track pants.

In some of the images, Presley held a smile on his face while another showed him bending over while laughing during a lighthearted moment.

Four months before his passing, Presley was seen smiling alongside his mom Cindy Crawford and younger sister Kaia Gerber in heartbreaking last public photos.

The model had supported his sibling at the RE/DONE x Kaia Gerber Short/Cuts Launch event in May in L.A. 

His mother as well as dad Rande Gerber had also made an appearance as the family paused for photos together outside. Presley could be seen standing next to his sister while holding a big grin on his face.

Later in the evening, the pair posed for another picture as he wrapped his arm around Kaia in a side embrace.

Crawford's representative told the Daily Mail in a statement: 'The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time.'

Last month, Presley's sister Kaia revealed how his drug use and mental health struggles had affected their family.

'When something like that happens in a family, it kind of levels everyone,' she told Vogue.

Last November, Presley revealed he had taken a step back from social media to 'take care of my own mental health for a bit.'

One month later, he opened up about his personal life in a candid social media video.

Sister, Kaia, said her brother's troubles made her want to be the 'easy' child.

She explained, 'I think that's also why I started to self-​identify as the easy one and never wanted to ask for help. Because it felt like too much to have two children who were needing.'

He listed medication he takes for 'night terrors' and 'panic attacks.'

'I feel like honesty is the best policy,' he began before sharing that he was on 1mg of Buprenorphine, used to treat both pain and opioid use disorders, twice a day.

Presley also shared that the 'benzos have been fluctuating up and down depending on what's been going on in my life.'

Benzodiazepines help 'slow down activity in your brain and nervous system' to treat 'anxiety and related mental health conditions,' per Cleveland Clinic.

'Unfortunately, I've had a lot of loss in many different forms recently, so that is not an excuse, but it's the reason why I am where I'm at now,' he shared.

He did not go into detail about the 'loss' he referenced, but went on to explain that he also takes a dose of Xanax at night or when his 'panic attacks are really, really bad.'

The model then listed Valium, admitting that he didn't know exactly how much he'd been taking as he said, 'Who f***ing knows anymore.'

He noted in the Instagram reel that 'doctors say a lot of different things so it's kind of scary. But hopefully between my research and their research and the world and God, we can finally figure this out.'

Presley also talked about the lack of 'direction' he has from doctors when it comes to his medication.

'I'd like doctors to be like, "Take this three times a day." But every psychiatrist I've had - and I've had 15 - are like, "Here's 20 medications and take this if you feel like this, take this as needed."

'And I'm like, "No, don't give me that much leeway." I need some direction,' he continued.

Sister, Kaia, told Vogue that witnessing her brother's honesty was 'refreshing.'

'My parents for most of our lives were very, very private and didn't share anything – and now 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,' she said.

'And trying to put a lid on something just makes the person feel like you're ashamed of them.'

This past May, Presley expressed gratitude for his father in a heartfelt Instagram post.

He posted a photo of them paddle boarding and wrote, 'I have the best father in the world. He's never given up on me. He's always there for me. Always has the best advice for me.

'I appreciate this man more than words can explain. I love you pops. To more paddle boarding days around the world.'

Crawford showed her support in the comments, writing, 'My boys!' and the father of two wrote, 'I am honored [to] take this ride called life with you over and over any time. Sometimes we may fall but with a little help always get back up. I love you forever Prez.'

Presley was open about his mental health struggles noting how he had issues from 'a very young age' - and labeled it as 'the ultimate pandemic.'

During an appearance on the Studio 22 podcast in 2023, Presley had shared, 'It is such a big part of my life. It's a 24/7 job, and there's so much to it.

'That is really what I want to do - help people, whether you're depressed, you're struggling with something that is having a negative effect on your body.'