Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the fatal drug overdose of Robert De Niro’s grandson, Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, in 2023. This marks a significant development in the investigation into the death of the 19-year-old.
The arrested suspects are Grant McIver, Bruce Epperson, Eddie Barreto, John Nicolas, and Roy Nicolas. They face charges for allegedly selling counterfeit prescription opioid pills. These pills were reportedly laced with fentanyl and other illicit drugs.
According to prosecutors, the five individuals were part of a criminal network. This group allegedly distributed thousands of these adulterated pills to affluent teenagers across New York City.
Law enforcement sources have confirmed that Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez and Akira Stein were among the victims. Stein, the daughter of Blondie co-founder Chris Stein, also died from consuming the falsified medications.
Sophia Marks was previously charged in September 2023 with three counts of narcotics distribution. These charges were directly linked to Leandro’s death. Marks had reportedly been known as the "Percocet Princess" due to her alleged drug connections.
Leandro died in July 2023 at the age of 19. The New York City Medical Examiner’s office determined his cause of death was a lethal combination of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine, and cocaine. NYPD officers found him unresponsive in Lower Manhattan before he was declared deceased.
Drena De Niro, Robert’s daughter and Leandro’s mother, issued a heartfelt statement following her son’s death. She confirmed his passing via Instagram in July 2023.
"My beautiful sweet angel. I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my belly," Drena wrote. "You have been my joy, my heart and all that was ever pure and real in my life."
She continued, "I don’t know how to live without you but I’ll try to go on and spread the love and light that you made me feel in getting to be your mama. You were so deeply loved and appreciated and I just wish that love alone could’ve saved you."
Robert De Niro, 82, spoke publicly about the tragedy the day after his grandson’s passing. He stated he was "deeply distressed."
"We are deeply grateful for everyone’s condolences. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo," the acclaimed actor requested.
In February 2024, Robert De Niro further reflected on his "disbelief" regarding Leandro’s overdose. He told People magazine it was "just a shock" for his entire family.
He added, "I never thought that would happen."
The two-time Oscar winner admitted to questioning his own actions regarding his grandson. He pondered what more he could have done or should have done to help.
"I don’t know if that would have made a difference. And that’s always playing in my mind… It shouldn’t have happened," Robert De Niro concluded.