Spanish
More than a year after her son's death, Drena De Niro speaks publicly again about the deep pain that marked her life on July 2, 2023, when Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, 19, was found dead in New York after an accidental overdose.
In a recent interview with Page Six, the actress and eldest daughter of Robert De Niro reflected on what she believes influenced the tragedy: her son's internet activity, the consumption of pills adulterated with fentanyl, and the emotional effects of the pandemic.
According to her account, Leandro had begun to change suddenly. Although she admitted that her son "enjoyed smoking marijuana, going out and having a good time", something deeper began to worry her.
"It broke down so fast that I knew something wasn't right, and I knew it had something to do with what I was doing on the internet," he explained.
Although he didn't offer specific details, he did mention TikTok as one of the platforms he frequented. "There was a change in him that was so rapid," he recalled about the months before his death.
Drena also revealed that Leandro was considering re-entering rehabilitation. He had attended once, but the previous experience had been negative, which complicated taking the next step. Even so, he was aware that he needed help.
"He wanted help. He knew he was overwhelmed. I don't even think he understood why. I think he was exposed to much stronger drugs than he knew," he said.
Days after the young man's death, Drena —who shared Leandro with her ex-partner Carlos “Mare” Rodríguez— wrote on Instagram that her son had been sold pills adulterated with fentanyl, even though they knew they were contaminated.
In October of this year, almost two years after the tragedy, five people were arrested in connection with the case.
The New York City medical examiner's report determined that Leandro died from the toxic effects of a combination of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine, and cocaine.
Regarding the arrests, the actress expressed contradictory feelings. She described them as "very strange" and "bittersweet," as they don't bring her any relief. Furthermore, she made it clear that she is not seeking to destroy anyone's life.
"I hope there is justice. If you are going to sell drugs to young people, it doesn't matter if you made them or if you knew or not: you are taking a risk. I am not interested in ruining the life of a 24-year-old," she said.
To make matters worse, the famous person recalled how difficult it was to see her son's story go viral.
"It was painful and violent to hear the horrible comments from people. But part of me thought: 'He will not be a cruel headline. I will make them know who this boy was, and also about all the parents who are losing their children,'" he commented.
The interview also included an intimate look at Leandro's life and his bond with his grandfather, Robert De Niro, 82 years old. Drena explained that her son was an indispensable piece in her identity outside the shadow of his famous father.
"“We were extremely close, because it really was the first time in my life that I could have an identity that didn't have to do with my father. I had a relationship with someone who knew the best and the worst of me,” she shared.
Regarding the relationship with his famous grandfather, he said that Leandro allowed Robert to "have the pure experience of just being a grandfather." He described him as "a pure soul."
This year, Drena and Robert launched the Leandro De Niro Rodríguez Foundation, which aims to expand access to care for young people and families impacted by the fentanyl crisis. For Drena, it's a way to transform pain into action.
