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

[NuttMegg]

Several comments upthread suggested that they died together while they were asleep in bed, but that doesn't make sense with what we know. That is the most peaceful way to imagine what happened.

If they were in bed together when they were murdered, their daughter would have seen evidence of both of them at the same time and she would have known that her mother was also deceased. I'm assuming that it would have taken a minute to process what she was seeing - and in that moment she would taken in the room - not just her father.

Instead, reports are that she discovered her father's body, immediately went outside, and did not know that her mother had also been murdered. That suggests two bodies in two different locations. Her father's body would have been closest to the entrance for her to find him first.

They were murdered shortly after they left the party. Rob and Michele may have heard someone entering their house, and Rob may have gone to see who it was. Since Nick was intent on murdering both parents, Rob would have been first, Michele second.

I can envision a huge bed, RR seeing her father but not seeing her mother in the same bed, but covered with a mess of blankets. But I can't explain why the 2nd parent would not have jumped out to fight back. You're probably right, one was found out of bed, chased down by NR.

 

[otto]

Rage episodes can be symptoms of autism spectrum disorders, ODD, bipolar, drug-induced psychosis, traumatic brain injury, brain tumors, and some organic brain diseases.
Also, some people with personality disorders can develop rages. In fact, even people without diagnosed mental illness can —if severely provoked— go into fits of rage.

In the case of NR, it’s hard to say what caused any of his rages because he is reported to have so very many conditions that overlap. We know he has addiction problems, and had childhood behavior issues; he may also be on the spectrum, may have schizophrenia, and seems to exhibit antisocial and narcissistic personality traits. It’s going to take a while for his mental health professionals to tease those all apart, IMO.

If 18 visits to expensive treatment centers with highly qualified professionals could not diagnose the problem, I doubt anyone today will have success.

I've wondered whether Nick has a mild form of Aspergers that was undiagnosed, and which may be the reason that he seemed to enjoy provoking a reaction from his parents - a curiosity about their emotional reactions. He pushed them, manipulated them, gave them hope then yanked it away, embarrassed them in public, acted arrogant and superior, seemed to enjoy provoking a negative or shock reaction from others, did everything possible to be an obnoxious centre of attention.

This latest diagnosis of schizophrenia seems more like grasping at straws and trying to fit symptoms into a box rather than accepting that Nick's brain is severely damaged through extensive drug abuse throughout his life. Nick is responsible for his choices. He made poor choices at the age of 15, and at no time made a choice to be respectful of others.

"Although schizophrenia can occur at any age, the average age of onset tends to be in the late teens to the early 20s for men, and the late 20s to early 30s for women. It is uncommon for schizophrenia to be diagnosed in a person younger than 12 or older than 40."

Schizophrenia

Learn the signs, causes, and treatment options for schizophrenia. Get trusted information and support from NAMI to better understand this complex mental health condition.

www.nami.org

 

[Niner]

Okay @nhmemorymaker - what is a 'nepo child" ??

 

[Izzylizzy]

I was thinking maybe they gifted him money each year to avoid taxes but $120k per year is way over that limit. No rent, probably free food, no utilities, no sense cuz it probably went 90% for drugs & ubers

2025 19,000

 

[otto]

I can envision a huge bed, RR seeing her father but not seeing her mother in the same bed, but covered with a mess of blankets. But I can't explain why the 2nd parent would not have jumped out to fight back. You're probably right, one was found out of bed, chased down by NR.

Rob, Michele and Nick were at a party together. Nick was behaving like a mad man - rude, obnoxious, confrontational. He argued with his father.

They left. Rob and Michele had concerns about Nick's behaviour. They went home. Nick stayed in the guest house at times. He preferred at-home treatment rather than attend a treatment centre.

Rob and Michele are at home. It's the end of the day. It's a large house. Nick enters the house. Given the confrontation earlier in the evening, it's most likely that Rob went to see who was entering the house, find out what Nick wanted, check his frame of mind.

Nick murdered his parents before midnight - and there's no reason to assume that he fled the house immediately after the murders. There's no reason to assume that his parents were in bed or asleep when Nick entered their house.

"Law-enforcement sources have said they believe Nick killed Rob and Michelle between leaving the party and arriving at the hotel.
...

Security-camera footage then showed him leaving his parents’ house just before midnight, and he was spotted again a short time later calming buying a drink at a nearby gas station."

Nick Reiner hunkered down in trendy hotel with sweeping priceless seaside views allegedly after killing parents Rob and Michele

Nick would have strolled past the hotel lobby’s quaint Christmas tree, upscale restaurant and cozy fire-pit sitting area featuring wicker chairs to get to the check-in desk to rent a $300-a-n…

nypost.com

 

[SaraSmile]

Exactly!
He eliminated the only two people that really cared about him and did
Everything they could

I was thinking maybe they gifted him money each year to avoid taxes but $120k per year is way over that limit. No rent, probably free food, no utilities, no sense cuz it probably went 90% for drugs & ubers

Agreed. Very sad, in trying to “ help” their son, the Reiners unwittingly supported Nicks drug habit. Nice guest house/ free rent, food, plus $10k month. All fed right into his addiction.

 

[NuttMegg]

Rob, Michele and Nick were at a party together. Nick was behaving like a mad man - rude, obnoxious, confrontational. He argued with his father.

They left. Rob and Michele had concerns about Nick's behaviour. They went home. Nick stayed in the guest house at times. He preferred at-home treatment rather than attend a treatment centre.

Rob and Michele are at home. It's the end of the day. It's a large house. Nick enters the house. Given the confrontation earlier in the evening, it's most likely that Rob went to see who was entering the house, find out what Nick wanted, check his frame of mind.

Nick murdered his parents before midnight - and there's no reason to assume that he fled the house immediately after the murders. There's no reason to assume that his parents were in bed or asleep when Nick entered their house.

"Law-enforcement sources have said they believe Nick killed Rob and Michelle between leaving the party and arriving at the hotel.
...

Security-camera footage then showed him leaving his parents’ house just before midnight, and he was spotted again a short time later calming buying a drink at a nearby gas station."

Nick Reiner hunkered down in trendy hotel with sweeping priceless seaside views allegedly after killing parents Rob and Michele

Nick would have strolled past the hotel lobby’s quaint Christmas tree, upscale restaurant and cozy fire-pit sitting area featuring wicker chairs to get to the check-in desk to rent a $300-a-n…

nypost.com

I haven't seen any account yet of the time he left the house and 4am when he checked imto the hotel. Except the gas station iirc. Have the police stated that was the last time he left the house? Per cams, whatever. I'm not with those who think he checked into hotel, returned to kill them, and went back to hotel. But I could see him leaving the house soon after the party, going to get drugs, returning to kill them. I haven't followed it all for a few days, maybe I missed something in the timing.

 

[Betty P]

I was thinking maybe they gifted him money each year to avoid taxes but $120k per year is way over that limit. No rent, probably free food, no utilities, no sense cuz it probably went 90% for drugs & ubers

As the prosecutor said, I'm going to wait until the trial to see what the facts are in this case. Prosecutors and LE have shut down the flow of information to the public about this case. They're intent on doing it right, so I'm a little skeptical of some of the recent "news". Tabloids have run out of verifiable facts and they're making do with rumors now.

In good times, the Reiners may have given NR a generous allowance via credit cards, etc., but I'm skeptical of them continuing to give him unrestricted funds when he had relapsed and started doing drugs again. He spoke of being homeless at times and I doubt that would have happened if he were receiving 10 grand a month. ICBW, but I'd rather wait until we get some facts, assuming those will come out at the trial.

JMO, MOO

Merry Christmas!!!

 

[otto]

I haven't seen any account yet of the time he left the house and 4am when he checked imto the hotel. Except the gas station iirc. Have the police stated that was the last time he left the house? Per cams, whatever. I'm not with those who think he checked into hotel, returned to kill them, and went back to hotel. But I could see him leaving the house soon after the party, going to get drugs, returning to kill them. I haven't followed it all for a few days, maybe I missed something in the timing.

Nick killed his parents before arriving at the hotel. Nick left his parents' house just before midnight.

"Nick killed Rob and Michelle between leaving the party and arriving at the hotel. ...

Security-camera footage then showed him leaving his parents’ house just before midnight"

Nick Reiner hunkered down in trendy hotel with sweeping priceless seaside views allegedly after killing parents Rob and Michele

Nick would have strolled past the hotel lobby’s quaint Christmas tree, upscale restaurant and cozy fire-pit sitting area featuring wicker chairs to get to the check-in desk to rent a $300-a-n…

nypost.com

 

[MistyWaters]

As the prosecutor said, I'm going to wait until the trial to see what the facts are in this case. Prosecutors and LE have shut down the flow of information to the public about this case. They're intent on doing it right, so I'm a little skeptical of some of the recent "news". Tabloids have run out of verifiable facts and they're making do with rumors now.

In good times, the Reiners may have given NR a generous allowance via credit cards, etc., but I'm skeptical of them continuing to give him unrestricted funds when he had relapsed and started doing drugs again. He spoke of being homeless at times and I doubt that would have happened if he were receiving 10 grand a month.

JMO, MOO

Merry Christmas!!!

Yeah the sources that some of these tabloids claim are questionable, as if people will believe anything they write. The more credible sources are likely drying up, nothing more to be said until the trial. The $10k a month allowance - “one insider told an outlet”??? What kind of source tells ‘an outlet’?? Talking to an electrical receptacle or to an opening that permits water or steam to escape? Sheesh!

 

[NuttMegg]

Nick killed his parents before arriving at the hotel. Nick left his parents' house just before midnight.

"Nick killed Rob and Michelle between leaving the party and arriving at the hotel. ...

Security-camera footage then showed him leaving his parents’ house just before midnight"

Nick Reiner hunkered down in trendy hotel with sweeping priceless seaside views allegedly after killing parents Rob and Michele

Nick would have strolled past the hotel lobby’s quaint Christmas tree, upscale restaurant and cozy fire-pit sitting area featuring wicker chairs to get to the check-in desk to rent a $300-a-n…

nypost.com

He left his parents' house near midnight.

Entered hotel at 4am.

We don't know:
1. If he left home, went to get drugs, then. went back home to kill them. Depending on where the cameras are, the police probably know, but haven't said

2. Where he was, implausibly, for 4 hours except briefly at a quik shop.

 

[NuttMegg]

Yeah the sources that some of these tabloids claim are questionable, as if people will believe anything they write. The more credible sources are likely drying up, nothing more to be said until the trial. The $10k a month allowance - “one insider told an outlet”??? What kind of source tells ‘an outlet’?? Talking to an electrical receptacle or to an opening that permits water or steam to escape? Sheesh!

Yeah, the one about MR, still alive, saying "he left us for dead" seems to have faded away.

 

[otto]

He left his parents' house near midnight.

Entered hotel at 4am.

We don't know:
1. If he left home, went to get drugs, then. went back home to kill them. Depending on where the cameras are, the police probably know, but haven't said

2. Where he was, implausibly, for 4 hours except briefly at a quik shop.

Now I understand. I suppose I'm assuming that "left his parent's house shortly before midnight" means he left the house for the last time.

If he left the house at 3AM, I would expect that to be reported, not that he left before midnight. I'm accepting what is published, not leaving room of alternatives that are not published.

 

[NuttMegg]

Now I understand. I suppose I'm assuming that "left his parent's house shortly before midnight" means he left the house for the last time.

If he left the house at 3AM, I would expect that to be reported, not that he left before midnight. I'm accepting what is published, not leaving room of alternatives that are not published.

One other thing, he left blood in the shower of the hotel, and I have seen it described as spotted on the bed to apparently lots on the bed. What do you guys think about him having still liquidy blood from his parents on him 4 hours later? Or could he have cut himself in the melee, tied on bandages, and started blood flow again in the shower while tending his own wounds? LE undoubtedly knows whose blood it was by now. Maybe 3 persons' blood.

If he used a kitchen knife without a guard like the Ka bar has, he probably cut his hand substantially.

 

[otto]

I see there are early, and conflicting, reports about Rob and Michele being murdered in the master bedroom in the early morning of Sunday. Personally, I think journalists are filling in the blanks with guesses.

Maybe Nick entered the master bedroom with a knife, attacked his father and his mother fled into an adjoining bathroom? That could explain why their daughter did not see Michele.

Early reports are that they died in the early hours on Sunday. A later report states that Nick left his parents' house before midnight on Saturday. The bodies were discovered on Sunday. Did journalists assume that they were murdered on Sunday, or did they have facts to back it up?

 

[otto]

One other thing, he left blood in the shower of the hotel, and I have seen it described as spotted on the bed to apparently lots on the bed. What do you guys think about him having still liquidy blood from his parents on him 4 hours later? Or could he have cut himself in the melee, tied on bandages, and started blood flow again in the shower while tending his own wounds? LE undoubtedly knows whose blood it was by now. Maybe 3 persons' blood.

If he used a kitchen knife without a guard like the Ka bar has, he probably cut his hand substantially.

I think he cut himself. It's not uncommon for the murderer's hand to slip down the knife when it is covered with blood - and cut the palm of their hand.

 

[SaraSmile]

NR and his meds?
Was he in charge of his meds?
Did he take them as prescribed?
Did he self-medicate with the prescribed drugs too and take less/ more or differently than the recommended dosage?
Were street drugs also in his system ?
Treatment for schizophrenia often includes more than one anti-psychotic drug and some kind of anti-depressant or mood stabilizer.

One would think that LE drew blood from him after being arrested but who knows?
IMO

Yes, he likely “ saved up” his psych meds, went off for a few days, took saved up meds all at once to get a big High. My cousin was schizo, did this.

Also, took street drugs along with, or instead of psych meds. Constant mood altering, and getting more and more unstable, maybe lasting brain damage.

The patient/addict doesn’t like the way they feel, so they keep trying substances to feel better, instead get worse. Mad cycle.

 

[otto]

One other thing, he left blood in the shower of the hotel, and I have seen it described as spotted on the bed to apparently lots on the bed. What do you guys think about him having still liquidy blood from his parents on him 4 hours later? Or could he have cut himself in the melee, tied on bandages, and started blood flow again in the shower while tending his own wounds? LE undoubtedly knows whose blood it was by now. Maybe 3 persons' blood.

If he used a kitchen knife without a guard like the Ka bar has, he probably cut his hand substantially.

If he cut his hand during the murder, enough to leave blood all over the hotel room, then he did not forget what he did. His wounded bleeding hand was a constant reminder. It weakens any argument about being in a fugue state where he was oblivious of his actions.

If he was oblivious, and suddenly discovered a deep cut on his hand that needed stitches, he would have gone to hospital to look after his hand. If he cut his hand, then not seeking medical attention is consciousness of guilt.

 

[Hexe]

I've wondered whether Nick has a mild form of Aspergers that was undiagnosed, and which may be the reason that he seemed to enjoy provoking a reaction from his parents - a curiosity about their emotional reactions.

That's not how the Aspergers, or more correctly the autistic spectrum, works.

 

[SaraSmile]

I can envision a huge bed, RR seeing her father but not seeing her mother in the same bed, but covered with a mess of blankets. But I can't explain why the 2nd parent would not have jumped out to fight back. You're probably right, one was found out of bed, chased down by NR.

I’m still thinking both asleep in bed, ambush style, Rob first( stronger than Michele, could fight back, needed to get him first), then Michele, back and forth.

Like Kohberger in Idaho 4 (Maddie, then Kaylee, back and forth, frenzy, sorry, ugh! )

I’m thinking Michele under covers, not visible for Romy to notice, only saw Rob, exposed.

I feel so badly for Ron and Michele, hopefully they lost consciousness quickly.