The cause of death has been revealed of Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, the 19-year-old grandson of actor Robert De Niro (who previously starred in "A Star Is Born"), who was found dead last Monday in a rented apartment in New York City.
"A Star Is Born" - trailer. Courtesy of yes (archive)
Derna De Niro, Leandro's mother (and Robert's adopted daughter), commented on Instagram that her son had purchased pills that were unknowingly contaminated with fentanyl (a synthetic opioid used as a powerful painkiller) and had actually died of an overdose of the substance, as Leandro thought he was purchasing "clean" pills.
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"Someone sold him pills knowing they were contaminated with fentanyl. So to all those who are still selling and buying this haha - my son is lost forever," the shattered mother wrote, adding in another post: "Nothing here is fair or right. My heart hurts like I never thought it could, while I keep breathing but can't function."
It should be clarified that Leandro's cause of death has not yet been officially announced by the coroner handling the case, as the investigation may take some time. However, Derna's post, along with testimonies from a police source and the building's doorman who told the Daily News that pills and traces of a cocaine drug were found near her body, more or less confirm the initial hypotheses as to the cause of death.
TMZ also reports that the Manhattan District Attorney's Office is investigating the case and trying to track down the drug dealer who sold Leandro the contaminated pills.
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