08 August 2023 , 19:31
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Robert De Niro 's grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez died of a drug overdose it has been confirmed.
A chief medical examiner has revealed the 19-year-old died from a lethal combination of drugs, including fentanyl and Xanax.
According to TMZ, the medical examiner in New York City says the teen passed away from the toxic effects of a number of drugs. They included fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine, and cocaine. The examiner went on to say Leandro's death will be ruled as an accidental overdose.
The official verdict lines up with what Leandro's mother Drena De Niro had said previously on social media. Several weeks ago she claimed: "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."
Robert De Niro with grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez (left) and daughter Drena De Niro (Instagram)Last month it was reported a woman had been arrested in connection to Leandro's death. She was reportedly arrested during a sting operation carried out by the NYPD, Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security. The suspect is alleged to have sold drugs to him before he was later found dead. The suspect is said to be facing up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.
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The 19 year old was found dead on July 2. At the time, his death was being described as sudden and unexpected. His death was confirmed last month by his heartbroken mum, Drena - Robert's daughter. She took to Instagram with a photo of her son as she paid tribute to her "beautiful sweet angel".
Robert De Niro released a statement shortly after his grandson's death (Matt Marton/Invision/AP)She wrote on the social media platform: "I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my belly. You have been my joy my heart and all that was ever pure and real in my life. I wish I was with you right now. I wish I was with you. I don't know how to live without you but I'll try to go on and spread the love and light that you so made me feel in getting to be your mama."
She continued: "You were so deeply loved and appreciated and I wish that love alone could have saved you. I'm so sorry my baby, I'm so sorry @carlosmare. Rest in Peace and Eternal Paradise my darling boy."
Taxi Driver star Robert meanwhile has stayed relatively quiet about the situation in public. It's said however that he is finding it extremely hard to process. In a previous statement from the Hollywood star, he 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."
Robert De Niro and daughter Drena (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)Drena, 51, has been a lot more public with her grief, sharing a number of tributes to her son in the days and weeks that followed his death. One post saw her shared several photos of her with herson at the beach. In the first photo, they're standing knee-deep in the waves holding hands and looking at each other. The second image shows Leandro with his arms around his mother in an embrace as the two smile at the camera.
"Where it's always summertime," she captioned the post, adding a praying hands emoji, along with those of hearts and waves.
Tributes continued to come in from across the globe, including emotional words from actor Lana Parrilla, who wrote: "I'm so deeply sorry. Sending you an enormous amount of love, prayers and strength. May God be with you and all who love your darling boy."
Leandro's father, Carlos Mare, is understood to have posted a black rectangle on his Instagram account amid the news of his son's death but didn't provide any caption with it.