In a heartfelt reflection on her son’s untimely death two years ago, Robert De Niro’s daughter, Drena, has opened up about the factors she believes contributed to the tragedy, notably pointing to the influence of the internet.
Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, only 19, was discovered lifeless by a friend in a New York City apartment on July 2, 2023. His death was later attributed to an accidental overdose, resulting from a perilous mix of drugs, including fentanyl, bromazolam, ketamine, and cocaine.
Just last month, October, authorities arrested five individuals connected to the circumstances surrounding Leandro’s overdose.
In a recent interview with Page Six, Drena expressed her belief that TikTok, along with the impact of fentanyl and the Covid-19 pandemic, played a significant role in her son’s demise. “There was a change in him that was so fast,” she recounted, emphasizing the rapid shift in his behavior.
Drena elaborated on her observations, noting that while her son enjoyed smoking weed and socializing, the drastic transformation in his demeanor suggested something was amiss. She suspected that his internet activities were a contributing factor to his sudden unraveling.
Drena added her son, ‘liked to smoke weed, liked to party and have a good time but he got messed up so fast that I knew something wasn’t right here, and I knew it had something to do with what he was doing on the internet.’
Robert De Niro’s daughter Drena emotionally reflected on her son’s tragic passing two year earlier – and said she believes ‘the internet’ had a part in his death; Drena De Niro seen in February in NYC
Her 19-year-old son Leandro De Niro Rodriguez had been found dead by a friend inside a New York City apartment on July 2, 2023 – with his death later being ruled an accidental drug overdose
She told the outlet how her son had attempted to get help by going to rehab once before in the past – but said ‘it did a terrible disservice to him.’
Drena expressed, ‘That was very sad to me because he wanted help.
‘He knew he was over his head. I don’t think he even knew why. I think he had been exposed to much harder drugs that he didn’t know about.’
While talking to Page Six, the actress recalled the moment she found out about Leandro’s passing.
The news was shared by a detective from the NYPD who arrived to her home – and she admitted to the outlet that ‘the whole world as I knew it collapsed.’
In regards to the five arrests that have been made in connection to Leandro’s overdose death, Drena described it ‘strange’ but ‘bittersweet because you don’t feel any happier.
‘I’m hoping they do get some justice. If you’re going to sell drugs to young people, it doesn’t matter whether you made it, whether you know or didn’t know, you’re taking a chance.’
But she then told the outlet, ‘I’m not interested in ruining some 24-year-old’s life.’
Late last month in October, five individuals were arrested in connection with Leandro’s overdose death
Drena added her son, ‘liked to smoke weed, liked to party and have a good time but he got messed up so fast that I knew something wasn’t right here, and I knew it had something to do with what he was doing on the internet’
In regards to the five arrests that have been made in connection to Leandro’s overdose death, Drena described it ‘strange’ but ‘bittersweet because you don’t feel any happier’
Drena and Leandro had been ‘extremely close’ – and she also told Page Six that he was ‘an amazing kid’ and very ‘smart.’
In regards to their close bond, she said it had been ‘the first time in my life that I got to have an identity that had nothing to do with my father, or “I’m the this” of someone else – all of a sudden, you have this relationship in your life with someone who knows the best of you, the worst of you.’
She has since launched the Leandro De Niro Rodriguez Foundation to help ‘end the opioid crisis and empower the next generation to fight the plague of synthetic drugs,’ per the official website.
‘We work to erase stigma, raise awareness, address the growing mental health crisis growing alongside this fentanyl epidemic and honor the lives of those affected by substance use and loss,’ the foundation’s mission also reads.
Earlier this month, Drena broke her silence in a deeply emotional post from the Vatican just two weeks after five people were arrested in connection with her son’s overdose death.
The actress revealed she had met Pope Leo XIV while in Rome, writing that the encounter left her ‘filled with gratitude’ and convinced that her late son’s spirit was with her throughout the trip.
‘I may never find the words to describe the fullness in my heart,’ Drena wrote in a moving Instagram post.
‘To stand in His Holiness’s presence and aura in a room filled with so much love and kindness is an honor that will stay with me for the rest of my days.’
Drena and Leandro had been ‘extremely close’ – and she also told Page Six that he was ‘an amazing kid’ and very ‘smart’
The actress revealed she had met Pope Leo XIV while in Rome, writing that the encounter left her ‘filled with gratitude’ and convinced that her late son’s spirit was with her throughout the trip; seen above with father Robert De Niro and brother Julian De Niro
Drena then went on to explain how her son’s spirit was seemingly with them throughout their journey to the Vatican.
She also described the moment Pope Leo accepted her small gift and offered his blessing.
‘The warmth and kindness in Pope Leo’s eyes when he accepted my small token of reverence and affection, asking that my son remain in his presence and grace.
‘I was given this blessing not only in my Leo’s memory, but in acknowledgment of all the young beautiful lives that have been taken too soon,’ she wrote.
Drena ended the post with a message of faith and love for both her father and her son.
‘I’m so shamelessly filled with gratitude to my family here in Rome, my dad, my darling Julian, and all who made this possible. With love and gratitude always to the 2 most divine Leo’s I’ve ever met, may we all know your peace, higher power and mission one day #PopeLeoXIV #CantSpellLoveWithoutLeo.’
Her post came in the wake of a major breakthrough in the investigation into her son’s 2023 death.
‘I was given this blessing not only in my Leo’s memory, but in acknowledgment of all the young beautiful lives that have been taken too soon,’ she wrote
Her post came in the wake of a major breakthrough in the investigation into her son’s 2023 death
On October 30, prosecutors announced the arrests of five men, Grant McIver, Bruce Epperson, Eddie Barreto, John Nicolas and Roy Nicolas, accused of running a New York City drug ring that supplied counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl to teenagers and young adults.
According to the federal indictment, the group allegedly distributed thousands of fake prescription pills.
One of the victims, identified as ‘victim 3,’ matches the details of Leandro De Niro Rodriguez who was found dead inside a $950,000 apartment in the Cipriani Club Residences on Wall Street on July 2, 2023.
The court filing alleges that a female dealer, identified as ‘CC-1,’ sold Leandro ‘a mix of fentanyl pills and Xanax’ in the week leading up to his death and even warned him to be cautious.
Authorities say the same ring also supplied the pills that killed Akira Stein, 19, the daughter of Blondie guitarist Chris Stein, who is listed as ‘victim 1’ in the indictment.
A separate dealer known as the ‘Percocet Princess,’ 20-year-old Sophia Haley Marks, was charged last year with selling the fatal pills to Leandro.
One of the victims, identified as ‘victim 3,’ matches the details of Leandro De Niro Rodriguez who was found dead inside a $950,000 apartment in the Cipriani Club Residences on Wall Street on July 2, 2023
The New York City Medical Examiner ruled his death an accident caused by toxic effects of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine and cocaine.
At the time of Leandro’s death, Robert De Niro issued a short statement saying, ‘I’m deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo. We’re greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone.’
The building’s concierge remembered the young man as friendly and polite.
‘I’d see him every now and then, and he’d always say hi,’ he told the Daily Mail. ‘He just was friendly, kept to himself. It’s a tragedy. You see his picture, he was a baby.’
