In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the De Niro family is grappling with the loss of their beloved Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, grandson of renowned actor Robert De Niro. The young soul tragically passed away at the tender age of 19, leaving his family in profound sorrow.
Robert De Niro shared his deep anguish in a statement provided exclusively to Fox News Digital, expressing, “My heart is heavy with grief over the loss of my beloved grandson Leo. We are touched by the outpouring of condolences we have received from everyone. In this time of immense sorrow, we humbly request privacy to mourn the loss of Leo.”
Drena De Niro, Leandro’s mother and Robert De Niro’s eldest child, also conveyed her overwhelming grief through a statement to Fox News Digital. With a heavy heart, she expressed, “We are devastated by the shocking and profound loss of our treasured son Leo. The love and support we have received during this inconsolable grief are deeply appreciated. We kindly ask for privacy as we navigate through this devastating time.”
Previously, Drena took to her personal Instagram account to share the devastating news with her followers. Pouring out her emotions, she penned a heartfelt tribute to her son, beginning with the words, “My precious and beautiful angel, from the moment I felt you in my belly, I loved you beyond any words or description. You brought immense joy, warmth, and authenticity into my life. Right now, I wish I could be with you. I wish I could hold you close. Living without you feels unimaginable, but I will strive to carry on, spreading the love and light you brought into my life as your mother.”
She added, “You were deeply cherished and adored, and I wish love alone could have shielded you from this fate.” Leandro was the child of Drena and artist Carlos Mare, and their bond was one of unconditional love.
According to the authorities of the New York City police, an unconscious and unresponsive young man, aged 18, was discovered at an address on Wall Street, specifically the Cipriani Club Residences. Despite the efforts of emergency medical services, the tragic loss of Leandro was pronounced at the scene. Reports indicate that he had recently celebrated his 19th birthday. The exact cause of his untimely passing will be determined by the medical examiner’s office.
Drena was adopted by Robert De Niro during his marriage to her mother, Diahnne Abbott, whom he was married to from 1976 to 1988.
Robert De Niro, an esteemed actor, has a total of seven children and recently welcomed a daughter named Gia with his girlfriend, Tiffany Chen.
At 51 years old, Drena is an accomplished actress and filmmaker who had the privilege of sharing the screen with her son in three projects, including the acclaimed film “A Star is Born.”
During this time of immense grief, numerous celebrities offered their condolences to Drena through the comments section of her Instagram post. Supermodel Naomi Campbell expressed her heartbreak, writing, “Drena, my heart aches for you. The bond between you and Leo was extraordinary, and I cannot fathom the depth of your pain. May the Lord embrace and console you during this overwhelmingly sad period. You have my love and unwavering support.”
Film producer Lee Daniels conveyed his sympathies, saying, “Drena, may God provide solace by holding you in His loving arms.” Lenny Kravitz expressed his deepest condolences, sharing, “Dearest Drena, my heart goes out to you and your family in this time of indescribable sadness. Words cannot adequately convey the profound sorrow we feel. You are loved.”