Robert De Niro's grandson Leandro De Niro Rodriguez has sadly died at the age of 19, according to his mother Drena De Niro.
The 51-year-old - who is the daughter of the Hollywood icon and actress Diahnne Abbott - took to Instagram on Sunday (July 2) to share a heartbreaking statement.
In an emotional post, the grieving mom wrote: "My beautiful sweet angel. 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," she continued.
"You were so deeply loved and appreciated and I wish that love alone could have saved you," the Welcome to New York actress said. "I’m so sorry my baby."
Drena did not share further details of Leandro's death and tagged the 19-year-old's artist father, Carlos Mare, in her tribute. "Rest in Peace and Eternal Paradise my darling boy," she concluded.
Several people shared heartfelt condolences in Drena's comment section. Television personality Victoria Gotti wrote: "You were such a playful handsome amicable and amazing young boy who grew into an amazing young man! May you rest my dear boy and I was so blessed to have shared thanksgiving with you."
Actress Lana Parrilla said: "Drena, I’m so deeply sorry. Sending you an enormous amount of love, prayers, and strength. May God be with you and all who love your darling boy," while a supporter commented: "Oh my god noooo! Drena I’m so so so sorry for your loss I have no words. I’m in shock and heartbroken for you.
"He was so lucky to have you as a mom and I know he’s always going to be looking down on you so proud of who you are," they added.
Like his grandfather - who recently welcomed his seventh child with girlfriend Tiffany Chen - and mother, the teenager was an actor and notably appeared alongside Drena in 2018's A Star Is Born - playing the son of Dave Chappelle's George 'Noodles' Stone, who was best friends with Bradley Cooper's Jackson Maine, per E! News.
In addition to this, Leandro also held acting credits in 2005's The Collection and 2018's Cabaret Maxime, both of which starred his mom as well.
The tragic news of his death comes more than a month after he celebrated Mother's Day with Drena. The actress shared an Instagram post on May 14 of the duo spending the holiday watching the 1974 comedy Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore together.
"A Lil bit of Leo Lil bit of Mare," Drena wrote, sharing photos of Leandro hanging out with his dad as well as the family dog. "Lots of memories of my soulmate, fur baby Daisy. Today was a good day."
Our thoughts are with Leandro's family and friends at this time.
