Robert De Niro's grandson has been labelled as a "nice chap" be the doorman of a residential space he had recently rented out.
Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, 19, was confirmed dead by his distraught mother in news that shocked all those who knew him.
His mum Drena, 51, has now claimed her boy died after taking pills which had been laced with fentanyl and hit out at those who dealt the drugs on her Instagram. She had posted a number of emotional tributes to the teen before making the revelation.
Shortly before the claimed cause of death was made public, Brian Fernandes opened up on Leandro's personality after the teen had checked into Cipriani Wall Street’s residential space last month.
Brian was a doorman for Cipriani’s ballroom for the past eight years, and said he last saw the teenager on Friday. He confessed he didn't know the teen had died.
Speaking to Daily News, he said: "He came in with his baggage. He was renting out a place here. He was a nice chap. I always said hello to him and he responded nicely. He used to often sit on the front stairs of Cipriani."
Brian also admitted he didn't know Leandro was related to Hollywood star Robert. "He was not a conversationalist," the doorman continued before saying he was "not a talker" and would be in "his own world".
The news of Leandro's death was first announced by Drena earlier this month. Breaking the news, she shared an image on Instagram of her "beautiful sweet angel".
She wrote alongside the photograph: "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."
