06 July 2023 , 21:39
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Grieving mother Drena De Niro took to Instagram Thursday posting an adorable throwback baby photo of her beloved son Leandro, who died just last week as the investigation into the 19-year-old's death continues.
In the snap from the past, Robert De Niro's grandson is photographed as a toddler with long, curly dark hair playing a small guitar. Leandro is seen shirtless in the photo with a soft smile looking down from the camera. His heartbroken mother captioned the new photo: "My darling we celebrate you today and always.
"Thank you for everyone for the help prayers and loving energy that is pulling us through this devastating time. Julie thank you for this beautiful photo of Leo." She followed her words with a string of emojis, including a heart, praying hands, doves, and a sad face.
Drena shared the throwback snap of son Leandro (drenadeniro/Instagram)
Leandro died aged 19 (Instagram/@drenadeniro)The new photo received an outpour of love from her followers who reached out to offer support. One person wrote: "As a mother to my only son, I'm truly sorry for your pain. I hope that you find the strength to keep going, one day at a time! My deepest condolences."
Another added: "Now with that little guitar you can play 'Imagine' together with John Lennon....and please help us from above have a better world. And a third commented: "I am so terribly sorry. I know your pain all too well having lost my son 2 years ago to fentanyl poisoning. Sending love and grace your way. I am here to support when you are ready. Just reach out."
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Drena reportedly revealed what happened to her son earlier on her social media account, stating that he had taken pills that were laced with fentanyl.
While this information hasn't been confirmed by an official toxicology report, Drena wrote on Instagram that: "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."
Robert De Niro and his daughter Drena (Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)Drena is Robert De Niro's daughter from his marriage to his first wife Diahnne Abbott, and the grieving grandfather has shared a statement after receiving the devastating news. Actor Robert De Niro, 79, in a statement to the Hollywood Star July 3, 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."
The heartbreaking statement came a day after Leandro's death on July 2. According to a police report, the young man was found "unconscious and unresponsive" on Wall Street after 911 was called.