Authorities have arrested five individuals in connection with the 2023 overdose death of Robert De Niro’s grandson, Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez. The arrests come two years after the 19-year-old’s passing, which was ruled an accidental overdose caused by fentanyl-laced pills. According to federal prosecutors, the suspects are believed to have distributed the counterfeit drugs that led to his death.
Authorities arrest 5 suspects in the case of Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez’s death
Two years after the death of Robert De Niro’s grandson, Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, authorities have announced the arrest of five suspects allegedly linked to the 19-year-old’s fatal overdose.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) confirmed the arrests during a press briefing on Thursday. They revealed that the accused distributed counterfeit pills containing fentanyl throughout New York City and nearby areas.
According to officials, the individuals allegedly used social media platforms to advertise and sell counterfeit pills containing fentanyl throughout New York City and nearby areas. Prosecutors stated that Rodriguez’s case was one of three overdose deaths involving 19-year-olds that occurred within three months during the summer of 2023.
Authorities responded to a 911 call on July 2, 2023, and found Rodriguez unresponsive in his Manhattan apartment. The New York City medical examiner later ruled the cause of death as accidental. They cited the toxic effects of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, ketamine, cocaine, and 7-aminoclonazepam as the cause of death.
These recent arrests follow the earlier arrest of Sofia H. Marks, who was charged in 2023 with distributing fentanyl and alprazolam. Marks faced up to 20 years in prison for each count. Authorities allege that she was among those who supplied the counterfeit pills linked to Leandro’s overdose. (via People)
Leandro, the only child of actor Drena De Niro, was pursuing a career in acting before his death.
Originally reported by Disheeta Maheshwari on ComingSoon.net.
