Blondie’s Chris Stein has spoken out after arrests were made in connection to the drug-related deaths of his daughter and Robert De Niro’s grandson.
The musician announced news of his daughter, Akira’s, death in a Facebook post in 2023, revealing that she died from a drug overdose in May that year. She was 19 years old.
Blondie singer Debbie Harry went on to share her own tribute too, saying she “will grieve for the rest of my life […] at our terrible loss”. She also went to raise awareness for the risks, sharing: “Fentanyl is too dangerous, seductive and easy to get.”
Now, it has been confirmed that five arrests have been made in relation to Akira’s overdose, as well as in relation to the death of Robert De Niro’s grandson, Leandro, who died from an overdose in 2023. He was also 19.
Posting on Instagram, Stein shared: “Arrests have been made and announced today in Akira’s case. The DEA, US Attorney folks from the NYC Southern District and NYPD have been very sympathetic and respectful all through this process and I can’t thank them enough for this hope of some justice for her. Please be careful.”
Outlets including the Daily Mail report that one day before the post was shared, five men were charged with supplying the pills that took the lives of Akira, Leandro, and one other unnamed teenager in 2023.
In the court papers, Akira was referred to as ‘victim 1’, while Leandro was referred to as ‘victim 3’.
The BBC has reported that the suspects are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute. Prosecutors allege that the five of them used social media and encrypted messaging apps to sell thousands of fentanyl-laced pills in the city between the period of January and July 2023.
“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 and who had already made profound, immeasurable impacts on those who knew them,” said a Homeland Security Investigations New York special agent in a statement.
News of Leandro’s death was shared in July 2023 by Robert De Niro’s eldest daughter, Drena.
“My beautiful sweet angel,” she wrote. “I have loved you beyond words or description from the moment I felt you in my belly. You have been my joy my heart and all that was ever pure and real in my life. I wish I was with you right now. I wish I was with you.
“I don’t know how to live without you but I’ll try to go on and spread the love and light that you so made me feel in getting to be your mama. You were so deeply loved and appreciated and I wish that my love alone could have saved you.”
Leandro had a number of acting credits, including 2018’s A Star Is Born where he played Leo Stone alongside his mother Drena. He also had roles in 2005’s The Collection and 2018’s Cabaret Maxime.
