Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, 19, the grandson of actor Robert De Niro, was found dead in what authorities suspect was a drug overdose in a Lower Manhattan Apartment.
Rodriguez was found with drug paraphernalia and a white powdery substance. His lifeless body was found in a chair on Sunday afternoon, July 2.
Confirming the news, Rodriguez’s mother, Drena De Niro, shared an emotional post on Instagram.
Robert De Niro expressed gratitude for the public’s condolences and requested privacy for the family during this difficult time.
Rodriguez was described by his mother as a “beautiful sweet angel. Drena De Niro is the eldest daughter of Robert De Niro and his ex-wife Diahnne Abbott.
The discovery of Rodriguez’s death was made by a concerned friend who had been unable to reach him for several days. The doorman of the apartment building, unaware of Rodriguez’s famous family ties, revealed that he was apartment-sitting at the time of his passing.
The death of Rodriguez has deeply impacted his family, friends, and those who knew him. Carlos Rodriguez, his father, appeared visibly distressed upon arriving at Drena’s apartment.
While Rodriguez had made some appearances in the acting world, including alongside his mother in films like “A Star Is Born,” his promising journey was cut short.
The investigation into Rodriguez’s death is ongoing as authorities work to determine the circumstances surrounding the suspected drug overdose.