Owner of rehab where Presley Gerber died had license denied, drug arrests - USA Today
Details are emerging about the controversial past of the owner of the rehabilitation facility where Presley Gerber died.
The 27-year-old son of supermodel Cindy Crawford and businessman Rande Gerber was found dead from a suspected overdose at the luxe Resolutions Living home in Santa Monica on Sept. 20. The sober living program is part of Resolutions Therapeutic Services, founded by Dr. Reza Nabavi, who has a history of criminal activity and licensing issues, according to state records obtained by USA TODAY.
Nabavi is described on the company's website as the founder and executive clinical director with "over 20 years of clinical experience," but official documents show he struggled to obtain a psychology license due to multiple drug-related arrests and convictions.
USA TODAY reached out to Nabavi for comment.
In early 2002, Oakland Police Department officers found Nabavi, then 25, and a 15-year-old girl asleep in a car known for narcotics. A search of the vehicle uncovered methamphetamine, marijuana, a knife, a handgun and ammunition, per legal documents.
Nabavi was arrested for possession for sale of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana for sale. He pleaded no contest to the first charge and the second was dropped, resulting in an Alameda County Circuit Court judge sentencing him to 36 months probation.
Less than four weeks later, Nabavi was arrested again after Oakland police said he agreed to sell methamphetamine to a confidential informant. Like in his other case, Nabavi pleaded no contest to possession of a controlled substance and received the same sentence.
Nabavi first applied for his license in 2004, but the California Board of Psychology denied his application because of his arrests, the documents show. He reapplied in 2005 and was denied again before registering as a psychological assistant in January 2006.
However, his registration was revoked the following month while Nabavi and the board came to an agreement on license conditions due to his previous two criminal convictions. Nabavi was ultimately given a five-year probationary term requiring him to undergo to a psychological evaluation, notify his employer of his probation, be monitored weekly by a California-licensed psychologist, enter a drug and alcohol abuse treatment program, commit to ongoing treatment and submit to random drug and alcohol testing, according to the documents.
The California Board of Psychology granted an early termination of his probation in May 2008, and his license is currently listed as active until June 30, 2028.
Nabavi started Resolutions Therapeutic Services in 2013 after previously serving as director of family services at Promises Malibu, a popular celebrity rehab center that has since closed.
"With over 20 years of clinical experience, Dr. Reza specializes in working with individuals and families navigating substance use disorders, process addictions, mood and anxiety disorders, men’s issues, interpersonal challenges, and co-occurring conditions," Nabavi's official bio reads on the Resolutions Therapeutic Services website, which lists his title as the Founder & Executive Clinical Director.
The site describes Resolutions Living as "a leader in addiction and mental health support," offering a program "designed for [patients'] unique needs and individual recovery plans." It is unclear what type of treatment program Gerber was enrolled in, his specific recovery plan or what services the facility provided to him.
Authorities were called to a report of a possible overdose at the rehab facility at approximately 9:35 a.m. local time Sunday, Sept. 20. According to 911 audio obtained by People and Page Six, the dispatch was also for "cardiac arrest."
Gerber was found dead upon arrival, the Santa Monica Police Department said, announcing in a press release Monday, Sept. 21, that there was no indication of foul play.
That same day, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner announced an autopsy of Gerber's body was complete and the case was deferred, meaning "additional testing and/or studies were requested in order to make a determination" on cause and manner of death.
A representative for Crawford and Rande Gerber, who are also parents to daughter Kaia Gerber, 25, previously confirmed their only son's death in a statement to USA TODAY: "The family is asking for privacy during this very difficult and painful time."
