Robert De Niro Opens Up about the ‘Shock’ Following His Grandson’s Untimely Death at 19

Robert De Niro has opened up about the loss of his grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, almost a year after he died on July 2, 2023.

Leandro, who was 19, was the only son of Robert’s daughter Drena, 56. Drena shared her son with her ex, Carlos Rodriguez.

The cause of Robert’s grandson’s death was released a month after he died. The New York City chief medical examiner’s office revealed that Leandro died from “toxic effects of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine, and cocaine,” a mix of illegal drugs.

In February 2024, the actor called the death of his grandson an “awful” tragedy that he never thought would happen. When Robert De Niro got the news of Leandro’s death, he was in disbelief. “It’s just a shock,” he said.

After Leandro’s demise, Robert started thinking of all the things he could and should have maybe done with his grandson. He conveyed uncertainty about whether it would have made a difference and mentioned that it’s a recurring thought in his mind. The movie star added, “It shouldn’t have happened,” in reference to Leandro’s death.

When Leandro died, his mother, Drena, shared the news on Instagram, tagging his dad, Carlos. She mourned her son, calling him “her beautiful, sweet angel.” Drena revealed that she didn’t know how she would continue living without her son but would try to go on by sharing the love and light Leandro gave her when she got to be his mother.

“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,” she added.

Two weeks after Robert’s grandson died, police arrested New York resident Sophia Marks, 21, in connection with his death. Sophia had sold counterfeit oxycodone pills to undercover police twice and was arrested.

US Attorney Damian Williams said, without mentioning Leandro’s name, that Sophia’s counterfeit pills were purchased by a teenager who died of a suspected overdose.

Leandro De Niro Rodriguez is missed by his loved ones. In December 2023, Robert, Drena, and other family members and loved ones visited Miami, Florida, where they took pictures in front of a mural painted in honor of Leandro.

Drena, who often shares throwback pictures of her son on Instagram, told the artist, Pedro, that he brought so much healing to her and Robert’s heart with the stunning mural.