5 Charged in Tragic Overdose Death of Robert De Niro’s Grandson Leandro

It’s been over two years since Robert De Niro lost his grandson, Leandro Anthony De Niro-Rodriguez, to a tragic overdose. Now, authorities have finally made arrests in connection with the 19-year-old’s death—and it’s not just one person they’re going after. This tragedy shows that no one is exmept from grief and loss. That’s a harsh reaility for every person, even for a star like Robert De Niro. 

Five People Arrested in Connection with Robert De Niro’s Grandson’s Overdose Death

The 2023 overdose death of Robert De Niro’s grandson, Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, was one of those moments—a heartbreaking loss that felt both shocking and, unfortunately, all too familiar in the age of fentanyl. Now, over a year later, a bit of what some might call justice is finally being served.  Per The New York Post, DEA Special Agent Frank Tarentino said in a statement, “Today, justice has been delivered.” 

TMZ reported that the medical examiner found that De Niro-Rodriguez died from “the toxic effects of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine, and cocaine.” Federal authorities have dropped the hammer on a crew of five individuals, charging them with running a drug network that allegedly supplied the fentanyl-laced pills that killed not only De Niro-Rodriguez but also two other teenagers. It’s a grim tale of social media deals, counterfeit pills, and lives cut devastatingly short.

The group, which sounds less like a criminal enterprise and more like a poorly named boy band, includes Bruce Epperson (“Tea”), Eddie Barreto, Grant McIver (“Dizzy”), and brothers John and Roy Nicolas. According to the feds, these weren’t just low-level street dealers. They were allegedly running a sophisticated operation, using platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok to sling thousands of counterfeit prescription pills to unsuspecting teens and young adults across New York City.

The indictment paints a picture of a modern-day drug ring, swapping back-alley deals for encrypted messages and social media DMs. The crew allegedly advertised their deadly wares online, making it as easy to score fentanyl-laced pills as it is to order a pizza. And for at least three families, the delivery was fatal. This bust isn’t just about Leandro.

The same network is linked to the May 2023 death of 19-year-old Akira Stein, the daughter of Blondie co-founder and guitarist Chris Stein. In a chilling text exchange detailed by prosecutors, Akira allegedly messaged one of the Nicolas brothers after a close call, months before her fatal overdose: “I overdosed… just warn customers in batch might be extra strong.” It’s a haunting glimpse into the normalization of such a deadly gamble. The third victim remains unnamed.

What is the Connection to Robert De Niro’s Grandson?

Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, just 19 years old, was found dead on July 2, 2023. His mother, Drena De Niro—Robert De Niro’s eldest daughter—was vocal from the start, claiming on Instagram that her son was sold “fentanyl laced pills that they knew were laced.” While this new indictment targets the alleged suppliers, a separate charge had already been filed against Sophia Haley Marks, the so-called “Percocet Princess.”

Marks, 20, was accused of being the one who directly sold the fatal pills to Leandro. Prosecutors say she was a customer of the Nicolas brothers, buying drugs from the crew and reselling them. It’s a tragic, tangled web where everyone seems to be both a victim and a perpetrator in a cycle fueled by addiction and greed.

But for the families, including a Hollywood icon like Robert De Niro, who said he was in “disbelief” over the loss, “justice” is a cold comfort. It won’t bring their children back. It won’t erase the trauma. Family gatherings and holdiays won’t be the same for Robert De Niro and his family. However, this tragedy does shine a light on a very glaring issue in this country.

The tradgedy shines a glaring, uncomfortable light on the fentanyl crisis and how it’s preying on a generation that lives its life online. These dealers weren’t lurking in dark corners; they were in kids’ pockets, a simple message away.  The charges carry a mandatory minimum of 20 years to life in prison, a sentence that reflects the severity of peddling poison disguised as a party favor.

Final Thoughts

While the arrests may offer a sliver of closure, the story is a stark, painful reminder that no amount of fame or fortune can shield a family from the random cruelty of this epidemic. The fentanyl crisis continues to devastate communities across the country, and cases like this highlight just how easily young people can become victims of predatory drug dealers operating right under our noses—on the very platforms designed to connect us.