Woman arrested after Robert De Niro's grandson Leandro dies in suspected overdose

A woman has been arrested in connection with the death of Robert De Niro's grandson, Leandro.

The 19-year-old was found dead at his apartment on 2 July, having suffered a suspected overdose.

But now, an alleged drug dealer known as the 'Percocet Princess' has been arrested by the New York Police Department, ABC reports.

The 20-year-old was taken into custody at around 6 p.m. last night (13 July) following an undercover operation carried out by the NYPD, Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security.

According to reports, a team of investigators were searching the young woman's home late into the evening.

The woman has since been federally charged with the distribution of narcotics and is due to appear in Manhattan federal court this morning (14 July).

Since Leandro was found at his apartment, police have suspected that it was the result of an overdose.

Officers found a white substance and drug items close to his body at the time.

Leandro is the son of Drena De Niro, who is De Niro ex-wife Diahnne Abbott's eldest daughter.

In a statement following the tragic news, Leandro's mother said she was devastated by his passing.

"My beautiful sweet angel," she wrote. "I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my belly.

“You have been my joy my heart and all that was ever pure and real in my life. I wish I was with you right now. I wish I was with you.

"I don’t know how to live without you but I’ll try to go on and spread the love and light that you so made me feel in getting to be your mama.

"You were so deeply loved and appreciated and I wish that love alone could have saved you.

“I’m so sorry my baby. Rest in Peace and Eternal Paradise my darling boy.”

Academy award winner De Niro also released his own statement in the aftermath of Leandro's death, in which “deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo.”

“We’re greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone,” said De Niro in a statement for the New York Post on behalf of the family.

“We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo.”

LADbible has contacted the New York Police Department for comment regarding the arrest in connection with Leandro's death.

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@drenadeniro

Topics: US News, Robert De Niro, Crime

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers is LADbible's Editorial Lead. After graduating from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History, he went on to write for the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express. So as you can imagine, he’s spent many a night wondering just how useful that second language has been. But c'est la vie.

@SmithersDom