Following the unexpected and tragic passing of his grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, Robert De Niro is reportedly experiencing a deep sense of sorrow and grief. Leandro was discovered deceased in a New York apartment on July 2, and while there have been speculations of a fentanyl overdose as the cause of death, no official confirmation has been released by authorities.
In response to the heartbreaking news becoming public, the renowned actor, known for his role in “Heat,” released a statement expressing his emotions:
“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.”
Leandro’s funeral took place on Friday, July 7, and Robert De Niro, the Hollywood icon, appeared somber as he attended the wake alongside close friends and family. The 79-year-old actor has maintained a relatively low profile since Leandro’s tragic passing, and recent reports indicate that he is finding it difficult to come to terms with the loss.
A friend of De Niro spoke to Radar Online, revealing, “Bob had a genuine affection for Leo. He is in a very dark place right now. Everyone is praying that he finds the strength to carry on.”
Leandro was the fourth son of Drena De Niro, who is the daughter of Diahnne Abbott, Robert’s former wife. Drena herself released a heartfelt statement a few days ago, describing Leandro as “the embodiment of all that was pure and real in my life.”
“My beautiful sweet angel. I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my belly,” she said.
“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. You were so deeply loved and appreciated and I wish that love alone could have saved you.“
During the funeral service last week, Robert De Niro stood beside his daughter, Drena, at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, providing her with support by wrapping his arm around her. The family then proceeded to a graveside ceremony at the Valhalla cemetery in New York, where Robert’s father is also laid to rest.
In a recent development, Leandro’s mother, Drena, made a claim on Tuesday, stating that someone knowingly sold her son pills that were laced with fentanyl. The allegations surrounding fentanyl’s involvement have added a new layer of complexity to the tragic event.
“Someone sold him fentanyl-laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him,” Drena said.
“So for all these people still f–king around selling and buying this s–t, my son is gone forever.”
Leandro, May You Rest in Peace, Gone Too Soon