Multiple people have been arrested in connection with the death of Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, who died aged 19 two years ago and was Robert De Niro’s grandson
Five people have been arrested in connection with the fatal overdose of Robert De Niro’s grandson, two years after he was found dead in his family’s New York apartment.
Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez was 19 when he died. He was found at his family’s apartment in the Cipriani Club Residence on Wall Street in New York on 2 July 2023. He was the son of Drena De Niro, the eldest child of Oscar winner Robert.
The New York City’s medical examiner’s office ruled that De Niro-Rodriguez died of an accidental drug overdose. On 30 October, five people were arrested on drug charges relating to the death.
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The five arrested are alleged to have been part of a criminal network that distributed “thousands of counterfeit prescription opioid pills laced with fentanyl, among other drugs” to young adults and teenagers in New York.
The publication reported that sources had told them the defendants gave laced pills to three 19-year-olds who died, including De Niro-Rodriguez and Akira Stein, the daughter of Blondie musician Chris Stein, who died two months before De Niro’s grandson.
A woman has already been arrested in connection with De Niro-Rodriguez’s death, making the total arrested six. Sofia Haley Marks is alleged to have sold him the laced drugs a day before his death. She was arrested weeks after the death and charged with federal drug distribution.
At the time of her son’s death, Drena De Niro claimed the person who sold him the pills knew they were laced with fentanyl. “Someone sold him fentanyl laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him,” she wrote on Instagram.
According to the Daily Mail, De Niro-Rodriguez was found by a friend at his family’s apartment, unconscious in a chair. TMZ later reported that the friend had gone to check on the teenager as he hadn’t heard from him in a few days.
Frank offers confidential advice about drugs and addiction (email [email protected], message 82111 or call 0300 123 6600) or the NHS has information about getting help.
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