The sudden death of Leandro Anthony De Niro-Rodriguez, grandson of legendary actor Robert De Niro, shook Hollywood and left one of its most private families in mourning. More than a year later, authorities have made significant progress in the ongoing investigation into the 19-year-old’s fatal overdose, revealing the circumstances behind his untimely passing.
On July 2, 2023, Leandro was found unconscious in his newly rented Lower Manhattan apartment, just two days after moving in. Despite emergency responders’ efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Having recently graduated from high school in Aspen, Colorado, he had returned to New York to begin a theater internship, reflecting his growing interest in the family’s artistic legacy. The NYC Medical Examiner’s Office listed the cause of death as accidental, citing the toxic effects of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine, and cocaine.
The investigation uncovered a troubling pattern: Leandro’s death was linked to a fentanyl-laced pill distribution network targeting young adults in New York City and Long Island. Five men—Bruce Epperson, Eddie Barreto, Grant McIver, John Nicolas, and Roy Nicolas—have been charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in death. Prosecutors allege the group sold counterfeit prescription pills, including fake Xanax tablets laced with fentanyl, through social media. Within three months during the summer of 2023, three 19-year-olds, including Leandro, died from pills tied to this network.
Leandro was the only child of Drena De Niro, Robert’s eldest daughter with actress Diahnne Abbott. Drena shared her grief in an emotional Instagram post: “My beautiful sweet angel… I have loved you beyond words… I don’t know how to live without you, but I’ll try to go on and spread the love and light that you made me feel.” Robert De Niro, known for his privacy, also released a statement mourning his grandson and asking for space to grieve. In interviews, he described the shock of Leandro’s death and the painful “what-ifs” that weighed on him. Both Robert and Drena have since spoken out about the dangers of fentanyl, hoping to raise awareness.
Leandro’s life, though short, was full of promise. He had appeared in several projects alongside his mother, including The Collection (2005), Cabaret Maxime (2018), and A Star Is Born (2018), where he and Drena shared touching scenes with Dave Chappelle’s character. Friends and colleagues described him as kind, bright, and deeply passionate about storytelling and the arts.
The fentanyl crisis claimed other young lives linked to the same network, including Akira Stein, daughter of Blondie co-founder Chris Stein, who died of an overdose on May 30, 2023. Her father praised law enforcement for pursuing justice and expressed hope that the arrests would prevent further tragedies.
As legal proceedings continue, the De Niro family advocates for accountability and awareness. Leandro’s tragic death underscores the deadly risks of counterfeit drugs infiltrating the lives of unsuspecting young people. “He had so much life ahead of him,” Drena said. “All I can do now is honor him by spreading awareness and love in his name.”
Leandro Anthony De Niro-Rodriguez’s passing remains a heartbreaking reminder of a national crisis, a promising young life lost too soon, and a family determined to turn grief into advocacy.