The mystery surrounding the tragic death of Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, grandson of esteemed actor Robert De Niro, has finally been unveiled by New York City’s medical examiner. The 19-year-old’s demise, which shook the world, has been attributed to a fatal combination of drugs, according to official reports released on Tuesday, shedding light on the heartbreaking circumstances surrounding his passing.
Leandro De Niro Rodriguez’s official cause of death has been attributed to the toxic effects of a lethal cocktail of substances, including fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine, and cocaine, the medical examiner’s office has confirmed. This devastating revelation comes more than a month after his tragic death. The manner of his passing has been deemed accidental, further underscoring the tragic nature of the circumstances.
The events leading to Rodriguez’s untimely demise began to unravel on July 13, when authorities arrested 20-year-old Sofia Haley Marks on federal charges of drug distribution, directly related to Rodriguez’s case. According to a law enforcement official who spoke under anonymity, Marks faced three counts of distributing narcotics. A federal complaint implicated her in selling three counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl and two counterfeit Xanax pills to Rodriguez on July 1. This nefarious act ultimately led to Rodriguez’s demise, as he was found lifeless in his Manhattan apartment on July 2.
Leandro Rodriguez was not only a grandson of Robert De Niro but also an aspiring actor in his own right. His mother, Drena De Niro, the eldest child of Robert De Niro, and artist Carlos Mare, mourned the tragic loss of their son, who had previously appeared in notable projects, including Bradley Cooper’s 2018 remake of “A Star is Born.”
Drena De Niro had previously taken to Instagram to voice her anguish, asserting that her son had fallen victim to fentanyl-laced pills, sold with disregard for their lethal contents. The tragic loss had deeply affected Robert De Niro as well, as he conveyed his sorrow, stating, “We’re greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo.”
The revelation of fentanyl’s involvement highlights the ongoing crisis of synthetic opioids in the United States. Fentanyl, known for its lethal potency, is 50 times more powerful than heroin. A mere two milligrams can prove fatal, contingent upon various factors such as body size, tolerance, and prior usage. Shockingly, around 42% of tested pills containing fentanyl have been found to carry at least two milligrams of this dangerous drug.
As the world grapples with the tragic loss of Leandro Rodriguez, the disclosure of the circumstances leading to his untimely passing underscores the urgency of addressing the opioid crisis and highlighting the devastating impact of substance abuse on individuals and families alike.