Owner of Sober-Living Home Where Presley Gerber Died Was Once Denied Psychology Registration Over Drug Convictions

September 25, 2026 - 21:11

The operator of the sober-living facility where Presley Gerber died was previously denied a psychology registration due to drug-related convictions, according to records. The founder of the Santa Monica residence faced two misdemeanor drug possession convictions more than twenty years before the home opened its doors.

The details surfaced as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Gerber's death at the facility. The sober-living industry in California has faced mounting scrutiny in recent years, with critics pointing to lax oversight and operators with troubled backgrounds entering the recovery housing business.

Records show the operator sought registration as a psychologist but was turned down because of the prior convictions. That denial did not prevent the individual from later launching a residential recovery home.

Sober-living homes provide transitional housing for people recovering from addiction, often after they leave inpatient treatment. Unlike licensed rehab centers, these facilities typically face fewer regulations, creating gaps that allow individuals with criminal histories to run them.

Gerber, the son of musician Brandon Lee and model Lisa Marie Presley's extended family, had been open about his struggles with substance use. His death has renewed calls for stricter rules governing who can operate recovery residences and how they are monitored.