Robert De Niro’s daughter claims son Leandro died from taking fentanyl-laced pills

Robert De Niro’s 18-year-old grandson died after taking a fentanyl overdose, his mother claims.

The Oscar-winning actor’s heartbroken daughter, Drena De Niro, 51, claimed on Instagram on Wednesday that someone sold her beloved son, Leandro, 18, tainted drugs, causing him to die last week.

“Someone sold him fentanyl-containing pills that they knew were laced, but sold them to him anyway,” Drena said.

She added, “To all these people who are still crazy about selling and buying this st, my son is gone forever,” she added.

The grieving mother made the comment in response to a commenter who asked her how her son had died.

Leandro’s shock death occurred Sunday when the teen’s lifeless body was found sitting in a chair next to white powder in a $950,000 one-bedroom apartment at the Cipriani Club Residences on Wall Street, New York.

His cause of death has not yet been confirmed.

The city’s Chief Medical Examiner’s Office hasn’t released Leandro’s official cause of death, but sources said NYPD detectives in Manhattan South’s Narcotics Borough have been called in to investigate the matter, a sign that officials may be investigating who, if anyone had the drugs, according to a report.

NYPD Chief Detective James Essig told reporters last month that fentanyl is now “probably in 98% of the drugs” in the Big Apple.

“Fentanyl is in everything now, everything,” Essig said. “Now people have low tolerance, that’s why they take so many overdoses,” he said.

Drena’s post garnered over 213 likes and many others shared their own grief at how their children and loved ones died from drugs, suicide and other devastations.

A mother wrote about her son, who died eerily similar to Leandro when he was just short of his 17th birthday.

“I’m so sorry for your loss. My heart breaks for him and your family. My incredible son was taken to us in October 2020 at the age of 16 by someone who gave him fentanyl in our own home and left him alone in the basement of our home,” she wrote.

“He would have turned 19 in December 2023. The pain will never go away and will at most ease. There are no words. I will pray for your family.’

Another mother told of the heartbreaking loss of her daughter three years ago.

“I am so sorry for your devastating loss. My 18 year old daughter passed 12.4.20 and every emotion you write is all I felt then and still feel,” she wrote.

‘Watch for signs from your sweet boy. He will send them every day. That helps to keep me going are her signs. May God bless you with comfort and strength during this time of rearrangement. Health.’

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. It is also a major contributor to fatal and nonfatal overdoses in the United States, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Illegal fentanyl (IMF) is available on the drug market in several forms, including liquid and powder.

Powdered fentanyl is similar to many other medications. It is often mixed with drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine and made into pills similar to other prescription opioids.

Fentanyl medicines are extremely dangerous and many people may not be aware that their medicines are laced with fentanyl.

In its liquid form, IMF can be found in nasal sprays, eye drops, and on paper or small candies.

On Tuesday, Drena described holding her son Leandro for the last time in a heartbreaking Instagram post shared the day after he died, saying “my heart is broken forever.”

“I can barely type through my tears, but all the love, the messages, calls, texts, emails, the friends and family that have held me for the last 24 hours, I haven’t been able to answer yet, but we are grateful for all your love and condolences,’ she said.

“None of this is right or fair and my heart aches in a way I never thought possible, while still breathing and barely functioning.

“Leo my love, I love you today like the first day I held you in my arms.”

The grieving mother added that she was taken to the funeral home where she “touched and held” her son for the last time, by the same driver who collected her from the hospital when he was born.

“You were kindness, acceptance, and love and I can’t believe this is all real. YOU made everything bearable and every burden lighter,” she added.

“You didn’t deserve to die like that, but I can only believe that God needed a strong, mighty angel in their army.

“I carry you every second of every moment in my heart and memories until I am with you again. My heart is broken forever.

“I daddy and your family love you, I love you, I love you with every beat of my crying heart.”

She also shared a series of photos of Leandro with her 27.5k followers on her Instagram story, including some of him as a younger child.

Leandro’s father, artist Carlos Rodriguez, posted a black square on Instagram on the day of his son’s death.

Rodriguez has been quieter in the wake of the tragedy, but he also recently shared a reel of photos of Leandro and their family, featuring the Hollow Coves song Blessings.

He shared the reel alongside the caption, “Thank you for your messages of support.

“Drena De Niro and our families are grateful. You can’t spell love without Leo.”

Robert De Niro also issued a statement on his grandson’s death, saying he was “deeply saddened” and appreciated the condolences that had come in for his family.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo,” he said.

“We are extremely grateful for everyone’s condolences. We ask for privacy to mourn our loss of Leo.’

Aspiring actor and director Leandro followed in the footsteps of his mother, an actress and grandfather, landing small roles in 2018’s A Star Is Born and Cabaret Maxime and 2005’s The Collection.

Drena, was adopted by De Niro after the actor married her mother, Diahnne Abbott, in 1976. She announced her son’s death on Monday, saying: “I wish only love could have saved you.”

She later added a close-up black-and-white photo of Leandro smiling as she thanked friends and family members who had been supportive after his unexpected death.

Messages of love and support poured in from close friends and family after Leo’s tragic passing.

Victoria Gotti wrote, “Dreana, you gave SO much as a single parent, just like Leo. He knew who ‘his rock was!’ I love you and will miss my sweet ‘young BD’ beyond words.

“Still a smile comes to my mind the day I bought him his first red bike and he was tearing through the beautiful apartment! Much to your dismay! But he was so “special and loved” you couldn’t help it,” she wrote.

‘No child could wish for a better mother. Use those memories like Thanksgiving at my new home last year and channel them through your mind. As we both know (in your words) from one badass mom to another…..we rock!

“You were his rock, my love. Never forget that. Ever. I love you. I am here for you and your family during such a difficult and difficult time!! And Leo will always be in my memory bank and forever on my mind. I love you, my sister!’