Five More Charged in 2023 Overdose Death of Robert De Niro’s Grandson

5 more people have been arrested for their alleged role in the overdose death of actor Robert De Niro’s grandson, Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez. Court documents say five men are now facing federal charges for selling the drugs that led to his death in July 2023.

Federal prosecutors say the men were part of a group that sold fake prescription pills across New York City and parts of Long Island.

They allegedly used social media to promote and sell what looked like Xanax, but the pills were actually laced with fentanyl. Investigators say these fake pills caused the deaths of three 19-year-olds during the summer of 2023, including De Niro-Rodriguez.

Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez was the only child of Robert De Niro’s oldest daughter, Drena De Niro. Police say they found him unconscious in his apartment on Wall Street in Lower Manhattan after responding to a 911 call.

He had recently moved to the city for a theater internship on Broadway, just two days before his death. The New York City medical examiner ruled the death an accident, caused by a mix of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine, and cocaine.

After his death, Drena De Niro shared her heartbreak on social media, writing, “Someone sold him fentanyl laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him. So for all these people still f**** around selling and buying this s***, my son is gone forever.”

Robert De Niro also released a statement at the time, saying, “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 had begun to follow in his family’s footsteps as an actor. He appeared in several films, including The Collection (2005), Cabaret Maxime (2018), and A Star Is Born (2018), where he and his mother played a mother and son on screen alongside Dave Chappelle’s character.

Prosecutors say the arrests mark a step toward justice for the families affected by the deadly spread of fentanyl-laced drugs. The charges were filed in federal court, and the investigation is still ongoing.

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