Robert De Niro's grandson Leandro died from 'fentanyl laced pills,' mom Drena says

Robert De Niro's grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez has died from "fentanyl laced pills," according to his mother, Drena De Niro.

The actress, 51, shared the news of her son's death on social media on July 2 alongside a photo of the 19-year-old.

Drena De Niro was asked in the comments section of a post sharing a statement from her and her father Robert De Niro how the 19-year-old died. "Someone sold him fentanyl laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him," the grieving mom replied on Tuesday.

"So for all these people still ... selling and buying this (expletive), my son is gone forever," the actress added.

USA TODAY has reached out to the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner and representatives for Drena De Niro for comment.

Robert De Niro said he is "deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo" in a statement shared with USA TODAY on July 3 by his representative Stan Rosenfield.

"We’re greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo," he said.

Robert De Niro speaks out on death of 19-year-old grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez

Drena De Niro also spoke out July 3 in a statement to USA TODAY, also shared by Rosenfield.

"It is with immeasurable shock and sadness that we say goodbye to our beloved son Leo. We thank you for the outpouring of love and support and ask that we are given privacy at this time to process this inconsolable grief."

The family laid Leandro to rest on Saturday after a service at Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home, Rosenfield confirmed. Robert De Niro attended, photos obtained by Page Six show.

In her Instagram post on July 2, Drena De Niro called her son "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," Drena De Niro wrote, tagging Carlos "Mare" Rodriguez, with whom she shares her son. "Rest in Peace and Eternal Paradise my darling boy."

Rodriguez spoke out about the loss of his son on on July 5 alongside a childhood video of Leandro saying, "You can't spell 'love' without 'Leo.'"

"If you knew him you would know," Rodriguez captioned the post. "Our families and friends will grieve but never forget him."

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He boasted about his talents writing: "Leo was a passionate young man, he loved his family and friends, he was loved his life and was curious about the world. Leo was a prolific and talented high level programmer who wanted to find a purposeful use with his talents beyond the social media calamity he didn’t care for. Like his parents he loved art and artists, he was comfortable in this tribe. Leo loved to travel the world he was a seeker who on his own explored many countries to break bread with strangers and to delve into philosophical thinking about thing’s beyond his age."

"He was also a young man with his own story and journey unknown to us and his friends, for it is at this age and time where a young heart seeks its place," Rodriguez concluded. "@drenadeniro and I are thankful for all who are supporting family friends and strangers families that have also lost a soul too soon."

Contributing: Anika Reed

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Robert De Niro attends grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez's funeral