'Woman arrested' after Robert De Niro’s grandson Leandro dies in suspected OD

14 July 2023 , 02:21

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Robert De Niro with grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez (left) and daughter Drena De Niro (Image: Instagram)

A woman has been arrested after the death of Robert De Niro's grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, it is reported.

The unnamed suspect is alleged to have sold drugs to Rodriguez before he was later found dead, according to a report in the New York Post.

It is further claimed that Rodriguez died of an overdose but this has not been officially confirmed.

The 19 year old was found dead on July 2, with the death being described as sudden and unexpected. While Robert has stayed relatively quiet about the situation in public, it's said he is finding it extremely hard to process.

In a previous statement the actor had said: "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."

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Leandro De Niro Rodriguez (Instagram/@drenadeniro)

And while attending his grandson's wake, he looked 'sombre' as he was supported by close friends and family.

Earlier, Leandro's distraught mum claimed his death was due to him taking pills laced with fentanyl.

While the official report hasn't been announced, Drena De Niro took to Instagram to share the news.

Robert de Niro said in an earlier statement he was deeply distressed by the death (Getty Images)

After a follower asked her about her son's death on the social media channel, she wrote: "Someone sold him fentanyl laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him. So for all these people still f***ing around selling and buying this s***, my son is gone forever."

New York's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has yet to disclose an official cause of death, but was believed at the time they could be investigating who, if anyone, provided the drugs.

Last month, NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig told reporters how fentanyl is "laced in probably 98% of the drugs” in the city.

“Fentanyl is in everything now, everything,” he said. “Now people have low tolerance that’s why they’re overdosing so much.”

William Walker