SANTA MONICA, Calif. â New questions are surrounding the sober-living residence where Presley Gerber spent his final hours after details emerged about the facilityâs regulatory status and the professional licensing history of its founder.
Gerber, the 27-year-old son of Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber, died on September 20 after being found unresponsive at Resolutions Living in Santa Monica. Authorities are investigating the death as a suspected overdose, although his official cause and manner of death remain pending toxicology results.
The latest scrutiny centers on how the residence was regulated and the past licensing history of psychologist Reza Nabavi, founder of Resolutions Therapeutic Services.
Why the Santa Monica sober home did not require a treatment license
The California Department of Public Health told TMZ that it does not license or regulate Resolutions Therapeutic Services or Resolutions Living.
The California Department of Health Care Services also said it had no record of Resolutions operating as a licensed residential substance-use disorder treatment facility in Santa Monica.
However, state officials said the program appears to operate as a sober-living environment or recovery residence. Under California rules, that type of residence does not require the same state license as a residential treatment center and is not subject to DHCS oversight in the same way.
Sober-living homes can generally operate without that treatment license as long as they do not provide services such as detoxification, counseling, group therapy or treatment planning.
That distinction is significant because describing the residence simply as an âunlicensed rehabâ could suggest it was operating without a legally required license, something state officials have not said.
Founder Reza Nabaviâs psychology license history resurfaces
Separate attention has turned to Nabaviâs professional record.
According to state records reviewed by TMZ, Nabaviâs registered psychologist license was temporarily revoked in 2006, several years before he opened Resolutions Therapeutic Services in 2013.
TMZ reported that Nabavi was subsequently placed on probation for five years and was ordered to abstain from alcohol and controlled substances. The outlet said the reason behind the original suspension was not immediately clear.
Nabavi currently holds an active California psychology license, according to the report, with an expiration date of June 30, 2028.
The earlier disciplinary action predates Resolutions Therapeutic Services and there has been no public allegation from police that Nabavi caused or contributed to Gerberâs death.
Meanwhile, investigators continue examining what happened during Gerberâs short stay at the Santa Monica residence.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Gerber entered the facility only hours before he died. Santa Monica police received reports of both cardiac arrest and a possible overdose before officers arrived at about 9:35 a.m.
Police said there is currently no indication of foul play. Investigators are also reportedly attempting to determine the source of any drugs that may have been involved.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner completed an autopsy but deferred both the cause and manner of death while toxicology testing continues. Those results could take several weeks or months.
Gerber had reportedly arrived at the residence on Saturday evening. TMZ, citing sources familiar with his final hours, reported that he appeared to be under the influence when he entered the sober-living home.
Those claims remain part of the broader investigation, and toxicology findings will be needed to establish what substances, if any, were in his system.
Swikblog previously reported on Presley Gerberâs death and the continuing investigation into his cause of death.
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