Robert De Niro’s daughter, Drena, mentioned her son Leandro De Niro Rodriguez possible died final weekend after taking capsules laced with fentanyl — a declare that, if true, would make him the final high-profile particular person to die. dies in what authorities say is an epidemic of drug overdose pushed by the supply of the extremely potent artificial opioid.
“Somebody offered him fentanyl-containing capsules that they knew have been laced, however offered them to him anyway,” Drena De Niro claimed. on Instagram Wednesdayin response to somebody asking how her son, 19, died over the weekend, Page Six reported. Drena De Niro went on a rampage in opposition to all of the individuals who illegally promote and purchase fentanyl. “My son is gone eternally,” she mentioned.
Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, 19, was discovered lifeless Sunday in a New York Metropolis condo the place he was staying. stories by TMZ and the Daily Mail mentioned authorities are investigating his dying as a doable overdose and medicines and drug paraphernalia have been discovered close to his physique, stories mentioned.
Robert DeNiro’s 18-year-old grandson, Leondro, was discovered lifeless alone in a Wall Avenue condo with a “white powdery substance” signal close by. RIP🕊😔https://t.co/Cr42kamIlc
— suzy (@Suzy_1776) July 3, 2023
It would possible be weeks earlier than authorities can decide whether or not he died of a drug overdose and what medicine have been concerned. Sadly, Drena De Niro’s declare that her son unknowingly took fentanyl could be according to many documented drug overdoses involving the opioid.
The drug is accredited by the Meals and Drug Administration to be used in extreme ache reduction, equivalent to most cancers sufferers or individuals with a severe damage. The drug is about 100 instances stronger than morphine and 50 instances stronger than heroin.
Most opioid overdoses don’t contain fentanyl administered in a medically acceptable setting, according to CNN. They’re resulting from fentanyl being offered illegally and coming from clandestine labs.
As a result of fentanyl is so potent, ingesting even a small quantity will be deadly, mentioned Leana Wen, an emergency doctor and professor of well being coverage and administration on the George Washington College Milken Institute Faculty of Public Well being. In an interview with CNN, Wen mentioned individuals might not be conscious they’re utilizing it as a result of drug sellers typically combine it with different unlawful substances, equivalent to heroin, benzodiazepines, cocaine, MDMA and methamphetamine.
Wen additionally mentioned fentanyl will be made into capsule kind and it may be blended with different counterfeit capsules. “Some individuals might imagine they’re on a much less potent opioid like oxycodone, however they’re truly getting fentanyl,” she added.
Fentanyl has been implicated in quite a few high-profile deaths in recent times, most notably Prince in 2016, rapper Lil Peep in 2017, rapper Mac Miller in 2018, and “The Wire” actor Michael Okay. Williams in 2021. Final month, the Los Het The Angeles County Coroner’s Workplace decided that the dying of former little one actor Adam Wealthy – who was finest recognized for his work on the Seventies TV present “Eight is Sufficient” – was because of the results of fentanyl and dominated that his dying was unintentional. reported the Associated Press.