
Two Childhood Friends, 18 and 19, Were Found Dead Days Before Police Arrested a Teen Suspect
August 06, 2026

This past Sunday, it was announced that the grandson of Robert De Niro passed away, and the movie star has since spoken out about the tragedy. Leandro De Niro Rodriguez was only 19 years old when he died, and the news was broken by his mother, Drena De Niro, in an emotional Instagram dedication to her late son.
In her tearjerking tribute, Drena detailed how deeply loved, cherished, and missed her dear son is by family and friends. The devastated mother makes mention of her difficulty in comprehending how she will manage to continue life's journey without Leandro by her side.

Robert De Niro at the 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival in 2012 | Source: Getty Images
Leandro's father, a graffiti artist named Carlos Rodriguez, is naturally just as devastated over the loss of his son and expressed his grief via the tribute posted by Drena. Many celebrity friends and fans alike reached out to the De Niro family to express their condolences for their tragic loss.
In addition to the heartbreaking tributes his mother posted, Grandpa De Niro shared a few mournful words of his own concerning the tragic loss of life. The grief-stricken grandad expressed the following via his representative on Monday:
"I'm deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo. We're greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo."
Though the cause of his death is unknown, reports stipulate that drug paraphernalia were allegedly found near Leandro's body.
As the authorities continue to investigate the cause of death, TMZ has recently reported that sources from the law enforcement assigned to this case have stated that Leandro's death is being analyzed as a potential overdose. This assertion is based on how the teen was discovered when the tragedy occurred.

Robert De Niro at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City, 2021. | Source: Getty Images
According to reports, Leandro was housesitting at the time of his demise. Upon entering his New York City apartment, he was found deceased, sitting in a chair. Despite discovering the drug paraphernalia surrounding the teen, TMZ reports that there were no clear indications that showed what exactly led to his death.
Leandro was discovered by a friend of his who had come to check on him after not receiving any communication over the course of a few days. Leandro was a budding actor on the rise, having already appeared in two prominent films, "A Star is Born," where he starred alongside Dave Chappelle and Bradley Cooper, and "Cabaret Maxime."
Condolences continue to be sent to the Rodriguez and De Niro families, and close loved ones continue to request for their privacy to be respected as they grieve and mourn the tragic loss of their beloved family member.
His mother, Drena, is the eldest daughter of the De Niro family and was adopted by the "The Intern" actor in 1976 when he married her mother, Diahnne Abbott. An incredibly touching part of her extensive heartbreaking tribute to her son read as follows:
"My beautiful sweet angel. I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my belly. You have been my joy, my heart, and all that was ever pure and real in my life; I wish I was with you right now... I don't know how to live without you, but I'll try to go on and spread the love and light that you so made me feel in getting to be your mama."
The Monday evening after Leandro's tragic passing, his movie star grandfather was spotted in New York looking mournful as he made his way to a funeral home just a few blocks away from his apartment. De Niro was accompanied by his daughter, Drena, and Leandro's dad, Carlos.
Drena also posted another grief-embedded update on Instagram. The post was lengthy and detailed the insurmountable pain she is currently experiencing as a mother who has just lost her child.

Robert and Drena De Niro at the 20th Annual Hollywood Film Awards in Los Angeles, 2016. | Source: Getty Images
In her devastating update, Drena makes mention of the emotional turmoil she and Leandro's family is facing. Drena expressed:
"The same man that picked us up from the hospital when you were born drove us to the funeral home where I touched and held you for the last time... You didn't deserve to die like this, but I can only believe that God needed a strong, powerful angel in their army... My heart is broken forever."
Drena ended her heartfelt tribute by emphasizing the unconditional love she, Leandro's father, and the rest of their family will forever have for him.
Similarly, Carlos posted his own dedication to his beloved son. In a video montage, an array of throwback photographs of Leandro are featured with music from Hollow Coves' "Blessings." One photo shows Carlos and a younger Leandro holding onto his father's hand as the two walk up a hiking trail in a woodland area. Another depicted a collage of adorable pictures of the teenager when he was a baby and a child.
The last few pictures in the montage show an older-looking Leandro in the last few years before he lost his life. Carlos' caption thanks everyone who sent well wishes for their outpouring of support and love during the family's darkest hour:
"Thank you for your messages of support. @drenadeniro and our families are grateful. You can't spell Love without Leo."
Leandro was adored and loved by a plethora of people who were impacted by him throughout his life. Condolences continue to be sent to the Rodriguez and De Niro families, and close loved ones continue to request for their privacy to be respected as they grieve and mourn the tragic loss of their beloved family member.
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