The De Niro family is in mourning. Robert De Niro's grandson, actor and recent father Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, has died at the age of 19, according to his family, who reported Sunday. "My beautiful angel. I've loved you beyond words and descriptions from the moment I felt you in my womb," her mother Drena De Niro wrote in a poignant Instagram post.
"I'd like to be with you right now. I want to be with you. I don't know how to live without you, but I will try to continue and spread the love and light you made me feel by becoming your mother," she continued, devastated by the death of her son.
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The teenager is the son of Carlos Mare and Drena De Niro, 51, who confirmed his death in a heartbreaking message over the weekend. Drena was adopted by the famous Hollywood actor when he and his mother, Diahnne Abbott, married in 1976.
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The cause of death of Leandro De Niro Rodriguez has not yet been determined. But police sources told the New York press that investigators were looking into whether the teen had overdosed. These sources said a white powdery substance and drug paraphernalia were found in his apartment, near his body.
Like his grandfather and mother, Leo chose to pursue a career in film. He shared the poster with his mother, Drena De Niro, of "A Star is Born," Bradley Cooper's first film as a director, with Lady Gaga. They also appeared in Bruno de Almeida's film "The Collection" in 2005, and in "Cabaret Maxime" in 2018, by the same director, two more confidential films.
"I am deeply devastated by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo. We are grateful for all your condolences, but ask for some privacy to grieve," De Niro wrote in an official statement. The latter was seen in New York at the beginning of the week but did not make any other comments, especially with the celebrity press who were trying to collect reactions.