Khaberni - Drena, daughter of global star Robert De Niro, revealed the details of her son "Leandro's" death from a drug overdose, indicating that the internet and social media platforms, like TikTok, played a role in exposing him to risks that led to his death.
Leandro, aged 19, was found dead in his apartment in New York City on July 2, 2023, and the medical examination report confirmed that the death was caused by a toxic mix of drugs, including fentanyl, bromazolam, ketamine, and cocaine.
In October of last year, five individuals were arrested in the investigations related to his death.
In an interview with Page Six, Drena said that her son was influenced by content he saw on the internet, specifically TikTok, which led him to try stronger drugs than he previously knew, noting that the change in his behavior was rapid and noticeable.
She added that her son enjoyed staying up late, partying, and experimenting with cannabis, but he was exposed to stronger substances than he anticipated, despite his previous attempts to join rehabilitation centers.
Drena expressed her deep shock when she learned of her son's death through a detective from the New York Police, considering that "the whole world collapsed" at that moment.
To honor the memory of her son and address the drug crisis, Drena founded the Leandro De Niro Rodriguez Foundation which aims to combat the opioid crisis and raise awareness about the dangers associated with synthetic drugs and mental health.
