In a tragic turn of events, it has been revealed that Leandro Anthony De Niro-Rodriguez, the 19-year-old grandson of renowned actor Robert De Niro, died from a combination of illegal drugs, including fentanyl and cocaine. The New York City Medical Examiner's office made the announcement on Tuesday, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the aspiring actor's untimely demise.

Leandro was found lifeless at an apartment on 55 Wall St. in lower Manhattan, and despite immediate medical attention, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of his death was officially determined to be the "toxic effects" of fentanyl, bromazolam, alprazolam, 7-aminoclonazepam, ketamine, and cocaine, according to the city's Office of Chief Medical Examiner. The manner of death was ruled an accident.

However, this tragedy has taken a new turn with the arrest of 20-year-old Sophia Marks, who has been charged with distributing and possessing illegal drugs in connection with Leandro's death. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan stated that Marks faces one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and alprazolam, along with two counts of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl. It remains unclear if Marks will face additional federal charges, as the U.S. Attorney's Office declined to comment on the matter.

According to a federal criminal complaint, Marks is accused of selling three counterfeit oxycodone pills, laced with fentanyl, and two tablets of Xanax to Leandro, who tragically lost his life after consuming one of the counterfeit oxycodone pills. Police discovered two of these counterfeit pills, along with drug paraphernalia, inside Leandro's apartment. The complaint alleges that Marks was aware of the dangerous nature of the illicit drugs she was selling and even expressed concern about them in text messages to the victim. In one text message on June 30, Marks allegedly said, "I j[ust] don't like serving u them cuz they not script."

Leandro's mother, Drena De Niro, who is the daughter of the legendary actor Robert De Niro, initially shared the devastating news of her son's passing. In a heartfelt social media post, she expressed her grief, saying, "You have been my joy, my heart, and all that was ever pure and real in my life." Robert De Niro himself has chosen not to comment on the matter.

Leandro, an aspiring actor like his grandfather, had appeared in several projects, including Bradley Cooper's 2018 remake of "A Star is Born." His untimely death has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry and beyond. Fentanyl, the powerful synthetic opioid that claimed his life, is known to be 50 times more potent than heroin and is responsible for a significant number of overdose deaths.

As the investigation into this tragic incident continues, authorities are grappling with the devastating consequences of the opioid crisis and the dangers posed by counterfeit drugs laced with fentanyl. Leandro's death serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for stricter regulations and increased awareness surrounding the distribution and use of illicit substances.