NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A woman, nicknamed Percocet Princess, has reportedly been arrested in connection with the death of Robert De Niro's 19-year-old grandson, Leandro, due to an alleged drug overdose. The suspect is accused of selling drugs to the teenager just before his death in his New York apartment. According to the New York Post, she was arrested on Thursday, July 13, around 6 pm in an undercover sting operation by the NYPD.
Leandro, who aspired to become an actor like his grandfather, died following a suspected drug overdose on July 2. The teenager's body was discovered on a chair next to a white powder inside a $950,000 one-bedroom apartment on Wall Street in New York. According to police sources, there were no signs of trauma. An insider told TMZ that Leandro was found by a friend who had not heard from him in a few days and was checking on him.
Who is the 'Percocet Princess'?
Percocet Princess' real name is Sofia Haley Marks, 21. She faces federal charges for trafficking drugs. An NYPD representative told Daily Mail that they were unable to confirm the arrest.
Leandro's death occurred following the Department of Justice's filing of charges against multiple Chinese businesses and executives for their suspected involvement in the fentanyl trade. According to federal prosecutors, China currently manufactures and exports almost all fentanyl precursors. To obtain their fentanyl ingredients, criminal groups like the famed Sinaloa cartel in Mexico collaborate with Chinese businesses.
Leandro's mother, Drena, earlier said that she believed her son died from consuming fentanyl-laced pills. She wrote on Instagram, "Someone sold him fentanyl-laced pills that they knew were laced yet still sold them to him. So for all these people still f*****g around selling and buying this s**t, my son is gone forever."
Robert De Niro 'deeply distressed' by Leandro's death
Leandro was the son of Drena, 51, who was adopted by De Niro when he married Diahnne Abbott. Following the death of his grandchild, the legend has spoken out. The actor said in a statement, "I’m deeply distressed by the passing of my beloved grandson Leo. We’re greatly appreciative of the condolences from everyone. We ask that we please be given privacy to grieve our loss of Leo."
Following in his mother and grandfather's professional footsteps, Leandro was cast in a supporting role in the 2018 film 'A Star Is Born' as the son of Bradley Cooper's closest friend, George "Noodles" Stone, who was portrayed by Dave Chappelle. In 2018, he also made an appearance in 'Cabaret Maxime'.
