Five people have been arrested in connection with the death of Robert De Niro’s grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, who died from a drug overdose in July 2023 at age 19.
Grant McIver, Bruce Epperson, Eddie Barreto, John Nicolas, and Roy Nicolas are accused of running a New York drug ring that supplied thousands of counterfeit prescription pills to teenagers and young adults. The suspects, some known by street names “Dizzy,” “Tea,” and “John John,” allegedly provided the fatal drugs to three teenagers, including Leandro.
Leandro’s body was discovered on July 2, 2023, seated in a chair inside a $950,000 one-bedroom apartment at the Cipriani Club Residences on Wall Street in Manhattan. A white powdery substance was found nearby. The medical examiner determined he died from toxic effects of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine, and cocaine.
According to court documents, Leandro—identified as “victim 3” in the indictment—purchased drugs from an unnamed female distributor who sourced pills from Epperson and Barreto. In the days before his death, she sold him a mix of fentanyl pills and Xanax, warning him to be careful.
During a June 30 transaction, the dealer sent ominous messages: “I don’t want to kill you” and “Ion wanna kill you.” She expressed concern, noting the pills weren’t legitimate prescriptions. Despite these warnings, Leandro purchased three fentanyl pills and two Xanax for $105 the next day, requesting delivery by car service.
The drugs were delivered to his friend’s apartment shortly after 9:15 p.m. on July 1. At 1:50 a.m. on July 2, the dealer texted “u good?” but received no response. Hours later, Leandro was found dead.
Another victim, identified as Akira Stein, 19, daughter of Blondie guitarist Chris Stein, died on May 30, 2023, after obtaining drugs from John and Roy Nicolas.
Separately, 20-year-old Sophia Haley Marks, nicknamed the “Percocet Princess,” was also charged with selling drugs to Leandro.
Leandro was the only son of De Niro’s adopted daughter Drena and artist Carlos Rodriguez. At the time, Robert De Niro said: “I’m deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo.”
