Five Individuals Charged in Robert De Niro's Grandson Overdose Case

Five people have been charged in connection with the 2023 overdose death of Robert De Niro's grandson and two other 19-year-olds. New York authorities accuse the suspects, Bruce Epperson, Eddie Barreto, Grant McIver, John Nicolas, and Roy Nicolas, of running a fentanyl distribution network that sold counterfeit prescription opioid pills through social media to teenagers and young adults in the city.

Authorities link the network to the overdose deaths of Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, Akira Stein—daughter of Blondie co-founder Chris Stein—and a third unnamed victim. The five are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute.

Through their alleged actions, these defendants left behind a trail of irreversible loss that cut short the lives of three teenagers who held boundless potential,” stated Homeland Security Investigations New York special agent in charge Ricky Patel.

The suspects are accused of using social media and encrypted messaging apps to sell thousands of fentanyl-laced pills in New York between January and July 2023, which are linked to at least three deaths.

Stein was found dead on May 30 after taking fentanyl-laced pills she allegedly purchased from John and Roy Nicolas. The unnamed victim, who died on June 13, allegedly obtained pills through an intermediary from McIver. Authorities report that De Niro-Rodriguez, who died on July 2, received pills from a dealer allegedly connected to McIver, Epperson, and Barreto.

Separately, a woman was arrested in 2023 for allegedly selling De Niro-Rodriguez three counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl—the drugs believed to have led to his death.

In a statement, Academy-Award winner De Niro expressed his deep distress over the loss of his grandson, while Chris Stein acknowledged the arrests and expressed gratitude for the pursuit of justice for his daughter.

If found guilty, the charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and could result in life imprisonment.