Drena De Niro Reflects on Her Son During Vatican Visit
Drena De Niro, daughter of actor Robert De Niro, expressed feeling her son’s “constant presence” while visiting the pope in Rome. This visit occurred two weeks after the tragic arrest of five individuals, suspected of trafficking fentanyl-laced opioid pills linked to the death of her son, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, who was just 19.
In a heartfelt Instagram post dedicated to her late son, Drena remarked on her emotional experience at the Vatican, joined by her father and brother, Julian De Niro. She described meeting Pope Leo XIV as a moment she would cherish “for the rest of my days.”
“It was an honor that will remain with me for the rest of my days to stand in the presence and aura of His Holiness in a room filled with so much love and kindness,” she shared.
Drena also felt that her “little Leo” was with them during this significant trip. “My little Leo showered us with lots of signs of his presence throughout the trip,” she noted, sharing a personal anecdote about her mantilla falling off, which she jokingly attributed to his playful spirit.
She observed how the Pope responded with “warmth and tenderness” when she expressed her love for her son, feeling blessed not just for Leo’s memory but also for all young lives lost too soon.
In closing her post, Drena conveyed gratitude for her family’s support in Rome and reflected on her love for her father and brother. “Love and gratitude always to the two most holy Leos I have ever met,” she concluded, hoping for peace and higher purpose for all.
Leandro tragically died of an accidental overdose after ingesting a fentanyl-laced pill. He was at a friend’s house in Manhattan on July 2, 2023, when he suffered the fatal overdose.
Recently, five men—Grant McIver, Bruce Epperson, Eddie Barrett, and brothers John and Roy Nicholas—were arrested for allegedly selling fake drugs to teens and young adults across New York City. Some of these individuals are believed to be linked to the criminal organization that supplied the deadly drug to De Niro’s grandson.
Authorities have connected this group to the sale of drugs that caused the death of another young individual, Akira Stein, the daughter of Blondie guitarist Chris Stein. The gang reportedly intended to promote these drugs on social media platforms, aiming at a youthful demographic on Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, and Telegram.
Sophia Haley Marks, known as “Percocet Princess,” is facing separate charges for selling the pills that led to De Niro Rodriguez’s overdose. Allegedly, she had been purchasing drugs from the crew and reselling them to individuals, including Leandro.
