Nick Reiner was ‘declining’ before parents’ murder — after dad Rob boasted he had been clean for 6 years
Rob Reiner’s son Nick, who has been in the public eye for a long time, has been charged with first‑degree murder after allegedly stabbing both his parents—director Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, 70—early Sunday morning in Los Angeles.
Prosecutors say the attack happened before the family’s children were even a year old, and the killer is now a wanted suspect.
Sources close to the family, who have spoken to People before, said Nick was “declining” at the time, although they never saw signs that he could be violent. One source told the magazine, “If they thought he was violent, things would have been very different.”
The same person added that the parents “felt enormous guilt for so long that they couldn’t help Nick get his life together.”
The family’s narrative has been complicated by Nick’s long‑standing struggles with substance abuse. Rob Reiner, who grew up in New York’s Westchester County and directed many hit films in the ’80s and ’90s, has spoken openly about his child’s addiction.
In a September interview with NPR, he stated that Nick was “in a really good place” and has not used drugs for more than six years. “He’s been great … hasn’t been doing drugs for over six years,” Reiner explained.
During the interview, Rob also reflected on their relationship. He said, “I was never, ever too busy” and added, “I mean, if anything, I was the other way, you know, I was more hands‑on and trying to do whatever I thought I could do to help.
I’m sure I made mistakes and, you know, I’ve talked about that with him since.” The pair collaborated on a film, Being Charlie, loosely based on Nick’s past and co‑written by Nick and a friend, with Reiner describing Nick as the “heart and soul of the film.”
Neighbors and security personnel who have watched the family for years have denied witnessing violence. One longtime neighbor told The Post that this was “not the first time their son has been violent,” but the security guard who patrols the upscale neighborhood said he “never saw any violence” involving Nick.
In 2018, Nick admitted to destroying his parents’ guest house during a meth‑driven episode, describing how he “punched the TV.” He has been in court a handful of times, most recently appearing with a blank stare on Wednesday; his arraignment is scheduled for early January.
According to the LAPD, the suspect was detained Sunday night, and investigators are still piecing together the tragic sequence of events that led to the weekend’s murders.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
