The death of Robert De Niro\u2019s 19-year-old grandson, Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, deeply shook Hollywood and devastated the private De Niro family. Leandro was found unresponsive in his new Lower Manhattan apartment on July 2, 2023, just days after moving in to start a Broadway theater internship. He was pronounced dead at the scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Federal investigators later arrested five men \u2014 Bruce Epperson, Eddie Barreto, Grant McIver, John Nicolas, and Roy Nicolas \u2014 accusing them of running a drug-selling ring targeting teens and young adults across New York City and Long Island through social media. Prosecutors say they distributed thousands of fentanyl-laced Xanax pills, leading to multiple overdoses, including Leandro\u2019s and two other 19-year-olds during summer 2023. A medical examiner ruled Leandro\u2019s death accidental, citing fentanyl and several other substances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Family Grief and Public Outcry
Leandro\u2019s mother, Drena De Niro, expressed unbearable heartbreak online:
\u201cMy beautiful sweet angel\u2026 You were so deeply loved. I wish love alone could have saved you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Robert De Niro shared that he was in shock, mourning the time and future he lost with his grandson. He thanked supporters and asked for privacy, while Drena condemned those responsible for selling the lethal pills. A Bright Future Lost
Another victim of the same drug network was 19-year-old Akira Stein, daughter of Blondie co-founder Chris Stein.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/viralggy.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/a1.webp\")
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Leandro had already appeared in several films, including A Star Is Born. His family hopes the arrests bring justice \u2014 and help prevent more young lives from being taken.<\/p>\n\n\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n