Robert De Niro’s teenage grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez is reported to have died Sunday after his body was found slumped in a chair with a white powdery substance and drug paraphernalia discovered close by.
The family confirmed his death on Instagram with his mother Drena De Niro writing, “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 wish I was with you . 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. You were so deeply loved and appreciated and I wish that love alone could have saved you I’m so sorry my baby , I’m so sorry @carlosmare. Rest in Peace and Eternal Paradise my darling boy”.
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In a follow-up post the distraught mother poured out her heart writing: “I can barely type through my tears but all the love, the messages, calls, texts , emails, the friends and family that held me up these last 24 hrs I’ve not been able to respond yet but we’re grateful for the all your love and condolences. None of this is right or fair and my heart hurts in a way I never knew possible while still breathing."
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According to TMZ the teenager's body was found after a concerned friend went to visit him at his New York City apartment on Sunday afternoon after not being able to reach him.
Rodriguez was subsequently found sitting in a chair dead, the outlet said.
An exact cause of death is yet to be determined, but sources say it is being investigated as a possible overdose.
Rodriguez was a budding actor, his Oscar-winning grandfather told NBC news: "I'm deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson. We're greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo."
May you RIP Leandro De Niro Rodriguez.
