- Robert De Niro opens up about the death of his grandson, who passed away due to a fentanyl-laced pill overdose.
- De Niro expresses shock and regrets, questioning what could have been done differently to prevent the tragedy.
- De Niro calls attention to the ongoing drug crisis and the devastating impact it has on families nationwide.
Additional Coverage:
- Robert De Niro says he was in ‘disbelief’ when he learned his 19-year-old grandson had died: ‘It shouldn’t have happened’ (businessinsider.com)
Robert De Niro recently opened up about the sudden death of his 19-year-old grandson. Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez passed away in July 2023 due to a drug overdose caused by fentanyl-laced pills. De Niro expressed his shock and disbelief in a recent interview, stating that it should not have happened.
Leandro was found dead in his apartment in downtown Manhattan on July 2, 2023. He was the son of De Niro’s adopted daughter, Drena, and artist Carlos Rodriguez. Drena revealed on Instagram that her son died after purchasing fentanyl-laced pills from someone.
In his interview with People, De Niro shared his disbelief and regret regarding his grandson’s death. He reflected on their relationship and questioned if he could have done anything differently. He expressed his constant thoughts about what could have been done to prevent this tragedy.
De Niro emphasized that his grandson’s death should not have occurred. Leandro, who was pursuing a career in acting like his grandfather, had appeared in several films before his passing. De Niro issued a statement expressing his deep distress and requesting privacy for his family to grieve.
The New York City medical examiner determined that Leandro’s death was accidental, resulting from a combination of drugs including fentanyl, ketamine, and cocaine. Less than two weeks after his death, a 20-year-old woman was arrested and indicted for drug charges related to his overdose.
The passing of Robert De Niro’s grandson served as a devastating reminder of the ongoing drug crisis and its impact on families across the country.