Robert De Niro’s 19-year-old grandson Leandro laid to rest in NYC funeral

Robert De Niro hugged his daughter Drena Saturday, as the casket containing his grandson’s body was carried out of an Upper East Side funeral home.

Drena De Niro’s son 19-year-old son Leandro died July 1, when his lifeless body was discovered inside a Lower Manhattan apartment with a white, powdery substance and drug paraphernalia nearby, police sources said.

A small group of black-clad mourners began arriving around 9 a.m.to the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home, with the famed actor showing up in a black SUV.

The elder De Niro, wearing a black suit, arrived after a priest and was escorted inside the funeral home by security. Drena and Leandro’s father, graffiti artist Carlos Rodriguez, followed.

Drena and Carlos arrived together in a separate black SUV but waited about 10 minutes outside before they were escorted in. They were joined by approximately 15 other mourners.


Coffin holding remains of Leandro De Niro being removed from Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home.
The coffin was taken from the Upper East Side to Valhalla for a graveside service.
Kevin C. Downs for NY Post

Robert De Niro.
Robert De Niro arrived after the priest on Saturday morning.
Kevin C. Downs for NY Post

After a short service, security put cones at the entrance to East 82nd Street facility and six pallbearers wearing black suits and white gloves carried the casket out the front door and placed it in the hearse.

De Niro stood next to Drena, wrapping his arm around her. He then joined the grieving parents in one of the SUVs and drove off. The family was believed to be holding a graveside ceremony for Leandro at a cemetery in Valhalla, NY, where De Niro’s father is buried, according to a source.

At one point, one mourner looked at another and asked, “How are you doing?” before quickly backtracking to add, “Actually, I don’t know why I keep asking everyone that — no one is doing well.”


Christopher Walken attended Leandro's wake at Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home.
Christopher Walken attended Leandro’s wake at Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home.
Robert Miller

Drena De Niro.
Leandro’s mother, Drena De Niro, looked devastated at the packed service.
James Keivom

The teenager’s death is being probed as a possible overdose.

While the toxicology report is still pending, Drena De Niro, has alleged someone knowingly sold her son tainted drugs.

“Someone sold him fentanyl-laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him,” Drena, 51, wrote on Instagram Tuesday in response to a comment asking about the cause of her son’s death.

“So for all these people still f–king around selling and buying this s–t, my son is gone forever,” she added.


Michael Imperioli pictured leaving the wake on Friday night.
Michael Imperioli pictured leaving the wake on Friday night.
Christopher Sadowski

Robert De Niro pictured with Drena and Leandro in happier times.
Robert De Niro pictured with Drena and Leandro in happier times.

The city Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has yet to disclose an official cause of death, but sources said NYPD detectives in Narcotics Borough Manhattan South have been brought in to probe the case — a sign they could be investigating who, if anyone, provided the drugs.

De Niro’s friends and former co-stars Christopher Walken, Michael Imperioli and Harvey Keitel attended Leandro’s wake on Friday.