The cause of death for Robert De Niro’s 22-year-old grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, was revealed to be an accidental drug overdose, per the New York Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. It was the result of the “toxic effects of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine, and cocaine.”
Sofia Haley Marks, 20, was arrested in July for allegedly selling Rodriguez drugs before his death and she was charged with federal drug crimes.
Rodriguez’s mother, Drena De Niro, had previously stated that her son died after being sold pills laced with fentanyl. “Someone sold him fentanyl laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him,” she wrote. “So for all these people still f***ing around selling and buying this s***, my son is gone forever.”
Drena shared a tribute to her late son. “My beautiful sweet angel,” the 51-year-old filmmaker began. “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,” Drena went on. “I wish I was with you right now. I wish I was with you. I don’t know how to live without you.”
De Niro issued a statement about his grandson’s death just after it made headlines. “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,” the Academy Award-winning actor said at the time.
De Niro’s daughter said she plans to “spread the love and light” going forward because of Leandro’s impact on her life.
“You were so deeply loved and appreciated and I wish that love alone could have saved you. I’m so sorry my baby. Rest in Peace and Eternal Paradise my darling boy,” the grieving mother concluded.
Robert De Niro's grandson Leandro died of accidental overdose, medical examiner says https://t.co/ePscSdFiOP
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) August 9, 2023
