'Deeply distressed' Robert De Niro breaks silence over death of his actor grandson, 18, who was found dead in chair in his million-dollar NYC apartment next to a plate of 'white powdery substance'

TMZ. 

The concierge at 55 Wall Street confirmed that Leandro lived in the building. 

He’d lived alone in the upscale sixth-floor apartment, renting the unit for less than a year, he said. The apartment is located in the same stone building as Cipriani, a luxury venue for events.

He described Leandro as a friendly young man, who’d always say hello when he came and went.

‘I’d see him every now and then, and he’d always say hi,’ the concierge said. ‘He just was friendly, kept to himself.’

‘I didn’t know who he was until I read the story,’ he said. ‘It’s a tragedy. I was just talking to my coworker that said my daughter just turned 20. You see his (Leandro’s) picture, he was a baby.’

Heartbreaking: Leandro was the son of De Niro's adopted daughter Drena and artist Carlos Mare, with Drena paying tribute to her late son in a heartfelt Instagram post on Monday

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The pair were immediately flooded with messages of condolences, with one friend commenting: 'Drena don't tell me it's true tell me you're joking because I can't believe Leo isn't with us anymore. 

'It's an horrible news to digest. Drena my heart is with you and Carlos and your loved ones - I love you ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️'

Drena responded: 'I know I still hope this is a nightmare and I'll wake up tomorrow.'

Victoria Gotti, the daughter of mob-boss John Gotti, commented she was 'heartbroken' and she had 'no words' following Leandro's death. 

She wrote of Leandro: '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—such a bright intelligent and well mannered young man. A young life cut far too short.'

Actress Rosie Perez Brooklyn wrote: 'Shocked! I'm so sorry! We are all here for you !!! I love you too much!', while Director and producer Lee Daniels wrote: 'Drena may God keep you in his arms.'  

MailOnline has contacted De Niro's representatives for comment. 

His mother Drena was adopted by De Niro, and took his surname, after the actor married her mother, Diahnne Abbott, in 1976.

She had a relatively transient lifestyle thanks to her father's vibrant career and split her time between New York City, Los Angeles, and Italy.

In May, Drena had taken to Instagram - weeks before her son's death - to share a sweet post to praise him on Mother's Day.  

Drena and Leandro both appeared briefly in A Star Is Born. He was 13 at the time of filming 

His girl: De Niro with daughter Helen Grace out for ice cream with their puppies in New York in April 2019

Gia was born on April 6 and weighed 8 pounds and 6 ounces. 

In June, De Niro gushed about raising a newborn once again while at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City, stating: 'It feels great.' 

In regards to how he has changed as a father, the Goodfellas star said: 'I have certain awareness — when you're older you have awareness of certain things in life, dynamics, everything, family dynamics.'

He added: 'You can't avoid learning certain things and how you can deal with those and manage them and this and that, the usual. 

'It's amazing, but I'm very happy about it.'

Shortly after the news of his new family addition came to light, the actor told Page Six that welcoming his seventh child was 'planned' and questioned 'How you could not plan that kind of thing?'