Robert De Niro talks about the guilt he felt for his grandson's death: "I never thought this would happen"

Robert de Niro is one of the most decorated actors in the industry in the United States and on the international film scene. Films like One of Ours, Taxi Driver or The Godfather come to the surface when talking about the interpreter’s career, adding to them the latest project in which he has participated: The Assassins of the Moon. However, his life has been dominated by bleaker news in recent months.

At the beginning of last July, Leandro, the American’s grandson, died at the age of 19. The young man, according to the autopsy and police information, suffered an overdose due to some pills adulterated with fentanyl, a substance that is causing a multitude of problems in the territory. Despite being an event beyond his control, de Niro cannot help but feel guilty about what happened to Leandro.

During an interview with People magazine, Robert showed his state of shock and disbelief at what happened, still present in his mind. “Just when I was starting to think about all the things I could have done with him, that I should have done with him. I don’t know if it would have made any difference. And that’s disturbing my mind too. It shouldn’t have happened,” he explained. A thought that coexists after the arrest of the person responsible for his death.

Sofia Haley Marks, 20, was arrested by the New York Police Department two weeks after the death, on July 13. Known as the “Percocet Princess,” she was accused of distributing narcotics and being responsible for supplying Leandro de Niro with the substances that caused his overdose on July 2. People magazine had access to police information related to the case.

“Marks sold a total of 50 oxycodone pills, suspected to be counterfeit, to an undercover law enforcement officer. On July 13, after a second sale by Marks to another plainclothes agent, she was arrested with approximately 156 more counterfeit pills, along with $1,500 in cash,” the post explained. Attorney Damian Williams was in charge of confirming that these manipulated medications contained fentanyl.

“At least one of Marks’ fake pills was sold to a teenager who, after taking it, died from an overdose. The arrest was crucial because, as we defend, Marks knew that those pills could kill, and he continued to sell them without any shame,” the lawyer expressed months ago, when the accused was under two possible sentences of 20 years in prison each.