Robert De Niro's grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez's cause of death has been revealed.
It was announced recently by the Hollywood icon's eldest daughter Drena De Niro, 51, that her son Leandro had died, aged 19, with her having shared the tragic news on social media.
Drena - who is Robert's daughter from his marriage to his first wife Diahnne Abbott - did not disclose further details about her son's death at the time.
But she has now seemingly revealed what happened, saying her son took pills laced with fentanyl.
While the news hasn't been officially confirmed by a toxicology report, Drena wrote on Instagram when questioned: "Someone sold him fentanyl laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him."
"So for all these people still f***ing around selling and buying this s***, my son is gone forever."
The news of his passing was shared earlier this month by his mother Drena, who took to Instagram with a photo of her son as she paid tribute to her "beautiful sweet angel".
She wrote: "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."
Drena has continued to post heartbreaking messages in honour of her son on social media in the days that have passed.
She recently shared a number of photos of the mother and son at the beach. In the first photo, they're standing knee-deep in the waves holding hands and looking at each other. The second image shows Leandro with his arms around his mother in an embrace as the two smile at the camera.
"Where it's always summertime," the grieving mother captioned the post, adding praying hands, heart, and wave emojis after.
And his grandfather Robert explained he was "deeply distressed" at the news.
In a short statement released on Monday, the Hollywood star said: "I’m deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo.
"We’re greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo."
Drena's posts prompted tributes and supportive messages, with actor Rosie Perez responding: "Shocked! I'm so sorry! We are all here for you! I love you too much!"
While actor Lana Parrilla wrote: "I'm so deeply sorry. Sending you an enormous amount of love, prayers and strength. May God be with you and all who love your darling boy."
Leandro's father, Carlos Mare, is understood to have posted a black rectangle on his Instagram account amid the news of his son's death but didn't provide any caption with it.
It's understood that Leandro followed in his family's footsteps earlier in his life by appearing in a few films, including A Star is Born (2018) and The Collection (2005).
