New Details Emerge in Death of Robert De Niro’s Grandson

It was a loss that shook Hollywood — and broke the hearts of one of its most private families.

Investigators have made progress regarding the overdose death of actor Robert De Niro's grandson, Leandro Anthony De Niro-Rodriguez. The 19-year-old was found unconscious in his apartment on July 2, 2023, and authorities have since revealed new details about what led to his tragic passing.

Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, from a post dated September 2, 2023 | Source: Instagram/drenadeniro/

Nearly half a dozen people have now been arrested in connection with the drugs linked to Leandro's death, according to court filings. Five men, Bruce Epperson, Eddie Barreto, Grant McIver, John Nicolas, and Roy Nicolas, face charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in death.

The case involves Leandro, the only child of Robert's eldest daughter, Drena De Niro, as well as two other teenagers. Prosecutors allege the group promoted and sold drugs across New York City and parts of Long Island through social media.

They distributed thousands of counterfeit Xanax pills that were tainted with fentanyl and sold to young adults and teens. According to federal authorities, three 19-year-olds, including Leandro, died from fentanyl-laced pills within a three-month period during the summer of 2023.

The NYPD confirmed that officers discovered Leandro unresponsive after responding to a 911 call to Wall Street in Lower Manhattan. The teen, who had recently celebrated his 19th birthday, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, from a post dated January 1, 2024 | Source: Instagram/drenadeniro/

Prosecutors revealed that Leandro had just relocated to New York to begin a theater internship on Broadway, following his high school graduation in Aspen, Colorado. He had been living in his new apartment for only two days before his death.

The New York City medical examiner's office ruled the death accidental, citing the toxic effects of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine, and cocaine as the cause.

Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, from a post dated January 1, 2024 | Source: Instagram/drenadeniro/

Drena confirmed her son's passing, sharing a heartbreaking tribute on Instagram. She wrote, "My beautiful sweet angel. I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my belly. You have been my joy my heart and all that was ever pure and real in my life. I wish I was with you right now. I wish I was with you."

She continued, "I don't know how to live without you but I'll try to go on and spread the love and light that you so made me feel in getting to be your mama. You were so deeply loved and appreciated and I wish that love alone could have saved you 😞 I'm so sorry my baby, I'm so sorry @carlosmare 😢💔. Rest in Peace and Eternal Paradise my darling boy 🙏🏽💔💔💔💔💔🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️."

Robert also shared that he felt an overwhelming sense of disbelief when he first learned about his grandson's death. "It's just a shock. [I] never thought it would happen," he acknowledged.

Drena and Robert De Niro pose at the 19th Annual Hollywood Film Awards in Beverly Hills, California, on November 1, 2015 | Source: Getty Images

The movie star added, "And I just then started thinking about all the things I could have, should have done maybe with him. I don't know if that would've made a difference. And so that's always playing through my mind."

Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, from a post dated April 2, 2023 | Source: Instagram/drenadeniro/

Robert De Niro also wrote a statement, "I'm deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo. We're greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo."

The 82-year-old said that the circumstances leading to Leandro's passing should have never happened. Drena also spoke out on the same, "Someone sold him fentanyl laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him. So for all these people still [expletive] around selling and buying this [expletive], my son is gone forever."

Another victim connected to the same drug network being prosecuted in Leandro's case was identified as Akira Stein. Akira is the daughter of Chris Stein, guitarist and co-founder of the band Blondie alongside Debbie Harry.

The teenager died of an overdose on May 30, 2023, in Lower Manhattan after taking pills allegedly supplied by brothers John and Roy Nicolas. Her father, Chris, later shared on Instagram that arrests had been made in connection with his daughter's death.

He noted that law enforcement had been compassionate and professional throughout the investigation and expressed gratitude for the possibility of achieving justice for Akira.

Leandro Anthony De Niro-Rodriguez's death came as a deep shock to his parents and grandfather, as he had only just begun to carve out his place in the entertainment industry.

He already had a few acting credits to his name, appearing in three projects alongside his mother: 2005's "The Collection," 2018's "Cabaret Maxime," and "A Star Is Born."

In Bradley Cooper's remake, the pair portrayed a mother and son — the wife and child of Dave Chappelle's character. Now, his family holds on to the hope that justice will be served for a life that ended far too soon.