Robert De Niro’s daughter Drena De Niro blamed the web for enjoying a consider her teen son Leandro DeNiro Rodriguez’s loss of life in July 2023.
Drena, 58, opened up in regards to the day Leandro died on the age of 19 of a drug overdose, telling Web page Six she wakened feeling “fully distressed.” She recalled, “I wakened, and I used to be simply bodily a multitude. I couldn’t focus … I used to be so labored up.”
An NYPD officer later confirmed up at her condo to tell her that Leandro had died, and his reason behind loss of life was later confirmed as an unintended fentanyl overdose.
Whereas talking to the outlet, Drena admitted she was conscious of her solely little one’s drug use. She then pointed to TikTok, the COVID-19 pandemic and fentanyl for being liable for Leandro’s loss of life.
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“There was a change in him that was so quick,” Drena mentioned, including that he “favored to smoke weed,” “occasion and have time” earlier than he received hooked on opioids. “However he received tousled so quick that I knew one thing wasn’t proper right here, and I knew it had one thing to do with what he was doing on the web,” she mentioned.
Drena shared that they had been “speaking about rehab” earlier than his loss of life, although she shared that Leandro beforehand went and “it did a horrible disservice to him.
“That was very unhappy to me as a result of he wished assist,” Drena mentioned. “He knew he was over his head. I don’t suppose he even knew why. I believe he had been uncovered to a lot more durable medication that he didn’t learn about.”
5 suspects had been arrested on federal prices in October for allegedly promoting fentanyl-laced opioid drugs that killed three individuals, together with Leandro and Blondie guitarist Chris Stein’s 19-year-old Akira Stein.
Moreover, Sophia Haley Marks, an alleged drug vendor often known as the “Percocet Princess,” was individually charged with being the one that bought Leandro the drugs he overdosed on, per Web page Six.
Drena advised the outlet that the arrests had been “actually unusual,” saying the scenario was “bittersweet since you don’t really feel any happier.”
“I’m hoping they do get some justice. For those who’re going to promote medication to younger individuals, it doesn’t matter whether or not you made it, whether or not you already know or didn’t know, you’re taking an opportunity,” she mentioned, although she additionally insisted she’s “not fascinated with ruining some 24-year-old’s life.”
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Drena additionally shared perception into who Leandro was, saying he was an “wonderful child” and “was so good.”
“We had been extraordinarily shut as a result of actually it was the primary time in my life that I received to have an identification that had nothing to do with my father, or ‘I’m the this’ of another person — swiftly, you could have this relationship in your life with somebody who is aware of one of the best of you, the worst of you,” she mentioned.
After noting she didn’t suppose she would “survive” after Leandro’s loss of life, she mentioned she felt like she “didn’t need to reside.”
Drena additionally mirrored on her son’s loss of life being “all around the press.” She continued, “It was actually painful and surprising and violating for his story to go so viral.”
“However part of me was like, ‘He’s not going to be some horrible sound chunk. I’m going to ensure you know who this child is and also you’re going to learn about all these different dad and mom who’re dropping their youngsters,’” Drena mentioned.
Drena managed to maintain her son’s reminiscence alive by launching the Leandro De Niro Rodriguez Basis, which raises consciousness about fentanyl being the main reason behind drug fatalities and gives “love and empathy to younger individuals combating dependancy and psychological well being.”
