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

[Arkay]

See I thought the exact opposite in the photos. I think in the younger photos he looked much more like Rob. Now he just looks mean.

That’s what I enjoy about Websleuths—-we all bring our own perspectives.

I think I also feel Nick looked more like Rob recently, because he was bearded instead of clean-shaven.

In any event, I think we all see that his physical appearance seemed drastically altered.

JMO

 

[JDG]

I can’t watch it, restricted in my country for some reason, we’re so sheltered here in Canada lol

I’m in Canada and I can see it.

 

[ttjo]

I’m in Canada and I can see it.

Well that sucks look at this

 

[Arkay]

Rob added that he believed Nick was doing well in the September interview. "He's been great … hasn't been doing drugs for over six years," he said. "He's in a really good place.

I think Rob and Michele asked to bring Nick to Conan’s party, even though most of the close friends knew that Nick was very problematic, because the Reiners’ number one, all-encompassing fear was that Nick could overdose or commit suicide if let alone while he was in a very bad state that night.

It’s horrid and exhausting when you have a 32-year old and you have to watch him constantly, as you would a toddler. And that seems to be how they’ve lived for quite some time.

In a way I think even making the Charlie movie ended up being a toy or a pacifier, something to keep Nick from having a tantrum of some sort. Something to keep him mollified, this time ‘til next time.

It all reminds me of the fable, “The Scorpion and the Frog.” The one in which the scorpion asks the frog to carry him on his back over the river, but the frog refuses because he believes the scorpion will sting him. The scorpion promises he won’t since then they’d both drown, so the frog acquiesces.

Of course the scorpion does sting the frog and as they’re drowning, the frog asks why did he sting him when he’d promised not to, and the scorpion answers, “it’s my nature.”

I’ve learned this, painfully, in my own life. Sometimes you have to save yourself no matter how much you love someone. They’ll always be a scorpion.

JMO

 

[LifeIsAMystery]

When has Nick lived a normal productive life? There is evidence of this in 2015, 2016 and in November 2025. There are several instances during Nick's life where he did not exhibit any sign of mental health issues.

Nick wrote and co-produced a film in 2015. That's a remarkable achievement! He attended media interviews in 2016, appearing completely normal and candid. In November 2025, Nick was completely normal and interacted with family and friends without any sign of mental health issues.

"Cinematographer Barry Markowitz, one of Rob’s close friends and longtime collaborators, spoke about recently staying [Nov 14, 2025] at the Reiner residence in Brentwood, Calif.
...

Markowitz joined Rob, Michele and their kids — Nick, 32, and Romy, 28 — as they went about their days “business as usual.” ... “scream at the TV, watched a movie, a basketball game, played with the dogs, family time. One big love fest.”

“Nick looked great. He was sitting and talking with the family, they eat dinner together, old school, and always a lot of love.” Nick would play tennis or “shoot hoops.” ... “He helped out, he took out the garbage, he watched TV, he washed dishes,” he’d bring me something to drink. He was just normal in that sense.” Markowitz noted that he didn’t notice “anything strange” with the family dynamics.
...

Markowitz — who was the cinematographer on the 2015 film “Being Charlie” (written by Nick and directed by Rob) — also denied that there was any father-son tension on the movie’s set. “We were having a decent time, all of us. One big family and there was no fights,” he claimed.

Exclusive | I stayed with Rob and Nick Reiner weeks before grisly murders — what I saw inside the family home

Cinematographer Barry Markowitz, Rob’s close friend and longtime collaborator, spoke with Page Six about staying at the Reiner residence just weeks before their tragic deaths.

pagesix.com

I believe this story may be offset by others when all is said and done, imoo. Others have said the parents were pursuing a conservatorship, hardly a sign all was well imoo. When doing press for Charlie he has said he was not sober and his interactions were quite awkward to watch. Same on Dopey podcast over time.

 

[SaraSmile]

This is a recent photo of Nick. This is the Nick that murdered his parents.

View attachment 633516

The high-tech tools used to track down Nick Reiner after his parents' slayings

Police used geotracking, cellphone data and surveillance cameras to locate Nick Reiner hours after his parents were found fatally stabbed Sunday morning in Brentwood.

www.latimes.com

Scary

 

[IzzyBlanche]

I was in therapy when Gabby Giffords was shot. My therapist said he could tell the shooter was a psychopath by his cold, dead eyes.

NR has the same cold, dead eyes IMO.

 

[LadyL]

The spectrum of mental illness, mental health, and are we all mad?

Since the year 2000, the term mental illness has been replaced with mental health. According to recent studies, we are all mad. All of us can experience events during our lives that are characterized as mental health issues; formerly labeled mental illness, such as "depression, anxiety, or suicidal ideation."

According to new terminology for mental illness, Nick is mentally ill because he suffers mental health issues. Is he mentally ill according to the original definition, where he should be sent downstream on the ship of fools? Not likely. This is not only because he lives an "opulent life" (per Nick interview), but because he has demonstrated that he can live a normal, healthy productive life when he chooses. At best, Nick experiences bouts of mental health issues, but not lifelong mental health/ illness.

Did Nick have a mental health issue in the moment that he murdered his parents? Of course. He had uncontrolled anger - defined today as a mental health issue. Does that remove responsibility for committing murder? Absolutely not.

"Narrenschiff: the ship of fools. This phrase is typically remembered as a literary trope today, but in the twelfth century this concept had a tangible counterpart. Towns, which were unable to treat the mentally ill, would round up the mentally ill and load them onto vessels before unceremoniously shipping them downstream.​

...​

​

In the December [2016] issue of The Lancet Psychiatry, Dinesh Bhugra and colleagues1 share their perception that the use of the term “mental illness” has been phased out during the past 25 years, in favour of less stigmatising terms such as “mental health”.​

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366%2817%2930088-3/fulltext

"The history of madness paints a picture in which the madman has had their identity ascribed by varying parties over time. Prior to the Enlightenment, he was afflicted by the gods and therefore a helpless victim. As The Great Confinement spread across the western world, the madman was seen as having chosen unreason. Then, the madman existed as a danger to society. It was this very confinement that allowed the mad to be studied, thus making them subjects in a matter of global scientific discourse. Yet it was only in the modern era that the madman was seen as an ill patient, one whose condition was diagnosed by one set of artifacts and could treated by another.​

...​

​

To account for both the transient nature of mental conditions and the fact that truly anybody could benefit from psychiatric treatment at some point in their life, a spectral view of mental health and illness must be adopted. This perspective dispels the notion that mental health and illness exist in dichotomy and recognizes the reality that we may all experience periods of depression, anxiety, or suicidal ideation. Acceptance of these conditions as normal in that we are all vulnerable to them not only combats stigma, it encourages those who would otherwise suffer without aid for fear of admitting their illness.​

...​

​

The current understanding of normal behavior fails to encapsulate the nuanced nature of the mind and its conditions. Until a perspective that recognizes everyone as having the potential to benefit from psychiatric care gains widespread acceptance, stigmas against those with severe symptoms will persist while those with transient and minor symptoms will fail to receive the benefits of psychiatric care."​

https://ojs.stanford.edu/ojs/index.php/intersect/article/download/899/921/3977

I disagree that he hasn't had 'lifelong mental health issues'. He has been described as having behavioural issues since he was a little kid IMO. One person (social worker friend of the family?) even wrote a book about him. And then of course he started doing drugs as a teen, which would've exasperated any mental health problems. We won't know that for sure until and unless his siblings confirm that I guess but I believe he's been suffering most of his life. JMO.

 

[LadyL]

It's also the same article where he says "Of Nick’s mental state, he added, “It’s just a sickness. That’s my verdict.”" and

"With Nick being arrested in connection with the murders, Markowitz said he doesn’t believe Rob and Michele’s son had any motive to harm his parents.

“When somebody is mentally disturbed, you don’t need a reason. There’s no rhyme or reason,” he explained. “Mental illness, that’s the reason.” "

To me a normal few weeks here and there don't make up for a literal lifetime of odd behavior and fits of rage. There is no evidence of Nick ever holding a job, other than working with his father on that movie.

ITA. And as I said in an earlier post, very sick individuals can live a seemingly normal life ... until they don't.

 

[katydid23]

I’m thinking his brother and sister were the ones who hired AJ. If they completely washed their hands of nick, then they would have accepted a public defender for him.
I agree, I would not visit Nick, myself, if I was a sister.

The question posed above was, what does the remaining family want?

I think they want him to be considered a mental patient, who reacted under the strength of his mental illness, and be given time in a hospital, and not a prison.

But if so, they will probably be sorely disappointed.

I’m just thinking they must want something for Nick, by hiring AJ. What do you think it is?
No one wants acquittal, of course, not possible anyway.

Agreed.
Yes, those wilderness camps sound brutal! I can only imagine druggie kids encouraging other druggie kids, getting worse, not better. Defeats the whole purpose.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

What you describe sounds like what i've heard called "failure to launch" killings by people who can't get their lives together and blame their parents for not letting them drift through life. I think that if someone has all the issues of drugs, alcohol, and being unable to maintain independence, there probably is something diagnosable behind it all.

jmo

BBM. With a colloquially known diagnosis, sure. But not necessarily a medical diagnosis (with exception of some substance/alcohol use disorder). A lot of times, these issues are the product of environment and overly validating and accommodating (though well-meaning) community. In particular, inability or lack of desire to maintain independence can easily stem from over-reliance on status quo, especially if status quo is a wealthy family who will always take care of you. This is not to say the Reiners did anything wrong. They sound like wonderful parents. But unfortunately, not all kids respond to the same parenting style. I fear NR's personality was shaped by knowing he could always fall back on his parents, financially and psychologically. From what we've heard about him, it doesn't sound like he really had his own identity.

MOO.

 

[katydid23]

I'm sure there is many possible reasons why the accused would not enter a plea and his lawyer put forward a reason of its too early to plea

But in this particular case where it would seem there is no other suspect and with what is known about Nick . What do posters think would be reasons for him to wait .

Maybe deciding between Not Guilty or Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity?

 

[katydid23]

Reason for the wait:
The defense lawyer is likely gathering evidence to support a NGRI plea.

JMO

Yes, I agree.
AJ does have a couple of speed bumps to deal with:

• Voluntary Intoxication: Mental states caused by the use of alcohol or illegal drugs at the time of the crime do not qualify for an insanity defense.
• Transitory Emotional States: Feelings of extreme rage, jealousy, or "temporary" aggression without an underlying major mental disorder typically do not meet the legal standard for insanity.

His client was probably using drugs and/or alcohol prior to the murders. And he had longstanding Feelings of Extreme Rage/Aggression during this time.

So it will be difficult to prove that his murderous actions were the result of schizophrenia and not something exacerbated by Extreme Rage and Meth and Tequila.

 

[katydid23]

Thank you, @katydid23, for your insight into the Hollywood industry.

I have one friend with whom I grew up here in NYC who is not an actor, but a writer, director and producer. He’s part of that whole scene, part of the Seinfeld, Larry David world and also has made some very famous movies. I’ve only seen him once recently when he came to talk at one of the schools we attended together.

We all know him here as the one who became famous.

I believe everything you say because your family is part of that Hollywood industry.

I do think, though, that nature plays an enormous role.

Rob’s other children apparently did not have the same issues as Nick, so if people looking to curry favor with Rob tried to spoil his other children as well, it doesn’t seem to have had as deleterious an effect on them.

From what I know, my friend’s kids are pretty level-headed. I think there’s just something in some people that predisposes them to have negative outcomes, no matter how much help they are offered. Even if they are deeply loved.

JMO

Oh, I totally agree with you. I was just trying to explain how some kids respond and get caught up in a trap.

His brother and sister are pretty level headed and worked hard, made an effort to accomplish something and succeeded. So they dealt with the pressure of the celebrity spotlight pretty well.

I agree that some kids may be predisposed to react negatively or implode instead of working harder to overcome the stresses involved.

Nick was deeply loved but he didn't seem capable of returning that love.

 

[ttjo]

I'm sure there is many possible reasons why the accused would not enter a plea and his lawyer put forward a reason of its too early to plea

But in this particular case where it would seem there is no other suspect and with what is known about Nick . What do posters think would be reasons for him to wait .

Isnt that “standing silent” or “mute” like what kohberger did? I know there is a strategic reason, something like it forces a judge to enter a not guilty plea for you and allows the process to continue without you showing / acknowledge guilt or remorse ( and why that matters/ self incrimination). better wait for a lawyer to explain better but I bet if you google why defendants stand silent , or why did kohberger stand silent. It will give some reasons.
** they talk about it on page 81 of this thread

 

[Hexe]

Since the start of this tragedy, I and others here have commented on how different Nick looks here, as opposed to the pictures of him when he was younger.

In the publicity interview for “Being Charlie,” his entire facial structure looks so different. IMO he looked much more like Michele than Rob. Slim, a defined jaw. Also he had his glasses on.

The Nick in the recent photos looked more like Rob, I would guess primarily because he gained weight, and so he had a much fuller face, bigger body, but still with a sinister aspect in his eyes.

I’m guessing it’s a result of whatever change in his medicine protocols, but also getting older.

Addicts aren't the healthy lifestyle afficionados, so I'd rather suspect munchies from weed/sugar craws from other drugs, overall bad diet and sedentary lifestyle. Even if he had any medicine protocols I seriously doubt he was sticking to it.

 

[Betty P]

I believe this story may be offset by others when all is said and done, imoo. Others have said the parents were pursuing a conservatorship, hardly a sign all was well imoo. When doing press for Charlie he has said he was not sober and his interactions were quite awkward to watch. Same on Dopey podcast over time.

I think we all have to realize that, even though the Reiners were a celebrity family, they weren’t and aren’t obligated to share all the details of their personal lives with the public. Most of us live in a world where we’re not obligated to do that. No one is obligated to do that.

The facts of this case will come from evidence and testimony presented at NR’s trial. That’s the evidence about NR’s activities, drug use, etc. that we’ll know to be factual.

JMO, what we may read now that was reported in past news articles might not be accurate because it’s based on a tabloid report or what some member of NR’s family felt like saying on any particular day. They don’t have to tell us all the personal details of their lives, past or present. I don’t judge them on that issue.

 

[Sadi]

There are contrary reports. IIRC another said he’d lived in the guest house for five years. But this one has him moving back temporarily only a ‘few days’ prior to the murders.

'He was struggling': Rob Reiner's son Nick Reiner moved back into the house few days ago, says report

According to sources close to the investigation, their son Nick Reiner (32) had moved back into the family’s Brentwood estate only "a few days" prior to the killings, following a renewed struggle with personal issues.

www.wionews.com

“Citing law enforcement sources and family friends, ABC News reported on Monday that Nick Reiner had recently returned to live at his parents' South Chadbourne Avenue home. The move was described as a temporary arrangement intended to help him stabilize. Sources told the outlet that Nick had been "struggling" in recent weeks, prompting his parents to intervene and offer him a place to stay, a decision that investigators now believe placed them in the direct path of the violence.”

When Barry stayed at the Reiners home in November, he mentioned Nick also stayed in the same house, not the guest house, why would that be? Maybe he wanted to be around everyone? Then a few weeks later he moved into the guest house, something seems off about this. If they were wanting to keep a watchful eye on him, why not keep him in the house? Or did Nick demand he would stay in the guest house? It’ll be interesting to hear what the staff/help have to say about everything. Totally different subject, when the housekeeper went to his hotel room to clean it and saw all the blood, why didn’t they contact the police instead of cleaning it up?

 

[Hexe]

When Barry stayed at the Reiners home in November, he mentioned Nick also stayed in the same house, not the guest house, why would that be? Maybe he wanted to be around everyone? Then a few weeks later he moved into the guest house, something seems off about this. If they were wanting to keep a watchful eye on him, why not keep him in the house? Or did Nick demand he would stay in the guest house?

My guess would be a relapse into hard drugs, difficult to hide when you share a house with other people, easier when you have whole guest house for yourself.

 

[Sadi]

My guess would be a relapse into hard drugs, difficult to hide when you share a house with other people, easier when you have whole guest house for yourself.

That makes sense.