The cause of death of Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, grandson of actor Robert De Niro, has been confirmed. Leandro was found dead in his Manhattan apartment on July 2. The aspiring actor and director was just 19 years old when he died.
The New York City Chief medical examiner’s office officially stated on Tuesday that Leandro died of an accidental drug overdose. This further confirms the claims by his mother Drena De Niro that someone had sold him “fentanyl-laced pills.” An arrest in relation to his death has reportedly been made.
Leandro’s cause of death officially confirmed
Leandro’s death has officially been attributed to the “toxic effects of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine, and cocaine.” It has been ruled an accidental drug overdose. However, back in July, 20-year-old Sofia Haley Marks was arrested in connection to his death.
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Two weeks after her arrest, Marks appeared in a Manhattan federal court on three federal narcotics charges. It was agreed that she would remain behind bars until a future bail request; however, prosecutors said they would oppose her release if a request was made.
Drena shares a message with the world in honor of Leandro
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79-year-old De Niro adopted Drena when he married his mother, Diahnne Abbott. -year-old Drena has shared several messages on social media following the untimely passing of her son. “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,” she said in tribute on Instagram.
She also had words of condemnation for any parties she felt were responsible for Leandro’s fate. “Someone sold him fentanyl-laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him,” she said. “So for all these people still f—ing around selling and buying this s—, my son is gone forever.”
“I’m deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo,” De Niro said in a statement. “We’re greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo.”
Marks’s trial in relation to Leandro’s death is expected to take place later this month, PEOPLE reports.
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