CA - Murder victims Identified as Rob Reiner and wife Michele - LA Dec 14 2025

[Cindizzi]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2001041438235140397

 

[Recidivist]

From the article:

Rob, they say, was dead. But Michele, they say, was alive enough to tell Romy that it was her brother, Nick, who’d tried to kill them.

“He left us here for dead,” the source says Michelle told Romy.

That would explain why almost instantly it was reported that the stabbings were the work of a family member.

I think it would be difficult to speak after having your throat slit. imo

 

[iamshadow21]

Respectfully disagree on one point. It was Nick who wrote the screenplay and brought it to his dad. RR helped get a suitable co-writer and used his directorial skills to bring the film to fruition.

I wasn't talking about the screenplay. I was talking about the book.

MOO

 

[Cedars]

I don't see a reason to offer a plea deal. Seems like a slam dunk case, they don't need the location of the bodies, and CA has a moratorium on the Death Penalty, so what's the point?

There was no advantage to Idaho to acccept a plea deal with Kohberger, either.

But the family might prefer not to have their private life dragged through a trial - and trials are very expensive in money and court time.

And there's something emotionally satisfying about a confession.

JMO

 

[MistyWaters]

Am hoping that the outcome of the trial -- if there is one, maybe he'll take a plea deal ? -- will be life without parole.
Nick had access to resources to live away from his parents if he wanted to, they might have even paid for a condo for him ?
No excuses.

His parents had (presumably) paid for him to go to multiple rehabs, he could have tried to pull himself out of his hole and looked for a way to eventually support himself.
It wouldn't have to be in the entertainment career either.

I can imagine the 'reasons' his atty. will come up with ?
Imo, no excuse for what Nick did.
Omo.

It doesn’t seem to be a question if N is guilty of murdering his parents and so reasons won’t matter for the guilt phase of a trial. In fact if an attorney were to introduce reasons his client murdered two people he’d be proclaiming him Guilty as Charged!

Mitigating or aggravating factors (aka reasons) ) come into play during the sentencing phase when determining the most appropriate sentence to fit the crime. Given his privledge in life, I’d be surprised if any would be considered valid. His parents forcing him to go with them to C O’Briens Xmas party would hardly be a convincing argument for having endured cruelty, pain or suffering.
JMO

 

[Izzylizzy]

This was live when there was a presser

 

[steeltowngirl]

I think it would be difficult to speak after having your throat slit. imo

Could be difficult. May not be impossible. Depends on the location of the cut. I believe the jugular is on the side, larynx is near the front of the throat.

 

[Little Jack]

I think it would be difficult to speak after having your throat slit. imo

I hope this report is false. But i did see a program about a girl who survived having her throat cut. A man came in the window at a slumber party and killed her friend then cut her throat and left. She ran out of the house to a neighbor and was able to get help and speak.

What I dont understand would be if you could survive long enough and were able to speak why would you then die later once you've reached help? Id think blood loss would be the deciding factor and you wouldn't keep losing blood at the hospital.

Sorry for such grisly speculation. I do sincerely hope this is a false report as I said above.

 

[steeltowngirl]

I hope this report is false. But i did see a program about a girl who survived having her throat cut. A man came in the window at a slumber party and killed her friend then cut her throat and left. She ran out of the house to a neighbor and was able to get help and speak.

What I dont understand would be if you could survive long enough and were able to speak why would you then die later once you've reached help? Id think blood loss would be the deciding factor and you wouldn't keep losing blood at the hospital.

Sorry for such grisly speculation. I do sincerely hope this is a false report as I said above.

Yes, there seem to be conflicting stories in MSM.

New details suggest that legendary filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were dead for hours before their bodies were discovered, insiders say.

Rigor mortis “appeared to have set in” by the time the couple’s daughter, Romy, arrived to find their bodies mangled and their throats slit on Sunday afternoon, sources told TMZ.

The grisly scene was described as a “nightmare” and the work of a “madman.”

New Details Reveal Likely Timeline of Reiners’ Grisly Killing

The famed filmmaker’s son has been officially charged with murder.

www.thedailybeast.com

 

[Gemmie]

I think it would be difficult to speak after having your throat slit. imo

I don't know that we know this. Yes, it's in "MSM" (mostly tabloid-type rags IMO).

With that said, in the presser the DA of LA County Nathan Hochman said this:

"You will hear in the media... rumors. You will hear speculation. You will hear hearsay. What I'm asking everyone to do is to rely on trusted sources. If it doesn't come from the District Attorney's office, from LAPD, from the Coroner's Office, or from the courtroom itself, there is a good chance you are hearing misinformation. Because at the appropriate time the actual evidence involved in this case will be presented in a court of law. So I ask for your patience until that is done, but again, please do not rely on rank speculation, rumor or hearsay, to believe that you understand anything about what went on with this case."

Cued up:

ETA - Left out the word "not" as in "do not rely on rank speculation". Made that change!

 

[Recidivist]

Oh no, not AJ again with his third-party culprit defense strategy! With all due respect for his work, of course. But... three times in a year.?!

MOO JMO

There is nothing to suggest what the defense strategy will be. Modsnip: Off topic to this case

My opinion is that the estate has hired Jackson, not to get Nick off, but to ensure that as he moves through the justice system, his rights are protected, and an attempt to get him some mental health treatment. To lose respect for Jackson, as I read in this thread is unfortunate. Without defense, we have no system of justice. imo.

 

[Chimera]

I don't see a reason to offer a plea deal. Seems like a slam dunk case, they don't need the location of the bodies, and CA has a moratorium on the Death Penalty, so what's the point?

Agreed.
I probably could have clarified --- will there need to be a trial , or can he admit to it due to the plethora of evidence and have a judge decide the penalty ?
Was trying to think of other cases where it didn't go to trial ?

So sorry for that poor sister who found them.
Hope she has many loving people around her, including the other brother and family friends ?
Imo.

 

[Chimera]

Yes, there seem to be conflicting stories in MSM.

New details suggest that legendary filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were dead for hours before their bodies were discovered, insiders say.

Rigor mortis “appeared to have set in” by the time the couple’s daughter, Romy, arrived to find their bodies mangled and their throats slit on Sunday afternoon, sources told TMZ.

The grisly scene was described as a “nightmare” and the work of a “madman.”

New Details Reveal Likely Timeline of Reiners’ Grisly Killing

The famed filmmaker’s son has been officially charged with murder.

www.thedailybeast.com

Awful.
Very brutal, up close, and so personal.
What a demonic rage the perp must have been in.
Like they didn't help their son (in his eyes), and yet they did everything they could !
Rob and Michele deserved to live out their lives and retire after years of hard work.
Omo.

 

[LinasK]

Agreed.
I probably could have clarified --- will there need to be a trial , or can he admit to it due to the plethora of evidence and have a judge decide the penalty ?
Was trying to think of other cases where it didn't go to trial ?

So sorry for that poor sister who found them.
Hope she has many loving people around her, including the other brother and family friends ?
Imo.

He could opt for a Bench Trial (by judge) or he could just confess/Plead Guilty if he wanted to spare everyone a trial.

 

[MistyWaters]

According to this article, N could possibly face the death penalty. Is this the significance of specifying the Special Circumstances?

BBM

Los Angeles district attorney allows prosecutors to seek death penalty again

Nathan Hochman ends progressive predecessor’s moratorium as legal advocates condemn move as ‘cruel’

www.theguardian.com

“Los Angeles district attorney Nathan Hochman is allowing county prosecutors to seek the death penalty again, reversing a ban put in place by his predecessor and making good on a campaign promise.

The county prosecutorial office said on Monday the death penalty will be pursued only in “exceedingly rare cases” and the “most egregious”.

“I remain unwaveringly committed to the comprehensive and thorough evaluation of every special circumstance murder case prosecuted in Los Angeles County,” Hochman said in a statement……

…..Under California law, the death penalty can only be sought if someone is charged with murder with special circumstances, which can include killings where there are multiple victims or if the victim is a law enforcement officer.”

 

[MassGuy]

Reiner on 60 Minutes last year.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2001030079200067594

 

[steeltowngirl]

I don't know that we know this. Yes, it's in "MSM" (mostly tabloid-type rags IMO).

With that said, in the presser the DA of LA County Nathan Hochman said this:

"You will hear in the media... rumors. You will hear speculation. You will hear hearsay. What I'm asking everyone to do is to rely on trusted sources. If it doesn't come from the District Attorney's office, from LAPD, from the Coroner's Office, or from the courtroom itself, there is a good chance you are hearing misinformation. Because at the appropriate time the actual evidence involved in this case will be presented in a court of law. So I ask for your patience until that is done, but again, please do rely on rank speculation, rumor or hearsay, to believe that you understand anything about what went on with this case."

Cued up:

Excellent reminder @Gemmie

 

[ttjo]

Nick doesnt appear to be wearing a hoodie when arrested, ( it’s been said he wore a hoodie at Conan’s party) so he changed at some point ( likely after the murder) and was at the hotel by about 4am?? With travel time. With her injuries would Michele Reiner stayed alive that long? Roughly 12 hours .
Maybe thats one of the reasons they needed a search warrant, to check the guest house Nick was staying in.
Photo from TMZ

Admin note Added link to TMZ site:

New Video Shows Nick Reiner's Arrest

Surveillance footage shows the moment Nick Reiner was swarmed by police and arrested for allegedly murdering his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner.

www.tmz.com

 

[HawthorneJuniper]

Yes, of course, I can't imagine how you feel.

If I may make a humble comment: not being religious at all, but just because I think well-known symbols tell an us important and universal stories - Perhaps rather than seeing yourself as Pontius Pilate condeming your child to death (ie washing your hands), you could identify with the images of Mary, the mother (or father), who simply mourns what she cannot control.

JMO

Honestly, unless you’ve needed to navigate psychiatric problems in an adult child you may not be fully understanding the difficulties involved.

One of my 27 year old twins just had a psychiatric crisis where he was arrested for assaulting my husband & others. He is delusional, thinks Elon & Trump are protecting him and are going to get us for trying to have him killed. His building manager & other residents constantly call 911.


We tried leveraging his criminal case via the DA and simultaneously getting an Emergency Temporary Guardianship secured with a $7,000 emergency psychiatric assessment indicating schizophrenia to try & get him in treatment.

We had to fly across the country to do this. We’ve spent about $20k so far and when the jail released him and the court order sent him to treatment, then the treatment center said outpatient would be fine and sent him home.

We finally got him to treatment and they sent him home. So now we’re back to square one.

This has only been over two months. The Reiners dealt with their son for YEARS. Why wouldn’t they continue to believe they could surely somehow, someway, find a course of action that would make Nick better. You never stop wanting them to be happy & whole.

I can imagine myself in their shoes all too well.

 

[Wishbone]

It doesn’t seem to be a question if N is guilty of murdering his parents and so reasons won’t matter for the guilt phase of a trial. In fact if an attorney were to introduce reasons his client murdered two people he’d be proclaiming him Guilty as Charged!

Mitigating or aggravating factors (aka reasons) ) come into play during the sentencing phase when determining the most appropriate sentence to fit the crime. Given his privledge in life, I’d be surprised if any would be considered valid. His parents forcing him to go with them to C O’Briens Xmas party would hardly be a convincing argument for having endured cruelty, pain or suffering.
JMO

I guess we will hear about his troubled life. Mental, emotional and drug issues not to leave out how very hard it is to deal with having rich famous family. Issues stemming from when he was very young. And maybe even how his parents enabled him in his drug usage and supported him financially. Also I won't be surprised to hear how hard RR was on him at various times.......JMOO and a guess