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

[BeginnerSleuther]

I used to study neuroanatomy, and years ago I read a really good book, can't remember the author's name offhand- Dr. Robert somebody, but he had found correlations between the limbic system-size of the amygdala and aggression/violence, and in my previous career as a Speech-Language Pathologist, I did a brief stint in a juvenile psych facility. When asking these teenagers how they would verbally confront someone they were angry with- they had no coping skills for that. The typical response to me was,"I wouldn't, I'd just punch them".

That's accurate. There's definitely a correlation between specific areas of the brain and aggression/violence. But we can't reliably see these on brain scans unless there's induced emotional dysregulation. So if someone is in a fit of rage, we can scan their brain in the middle of it and certain areas will light up. But we're still a ways off from being able to make a prediction about someone's ability to regulate based on their brain structure. The exception to this is notable brain atrophy or degeneration, like in dementia.

 

[otto]

Thank you, whole post is very interesting.

I doubt he would go to emergency for a hand cut, unless it wouldn’t stop bleeding, just brings attention. Nurse probably would ask, “how did this happen”?

Think of crime rings nursing each others’ wounds, they don’t go to Dr to get sewn.

Cut was probably not that bad, I still don’t believe reports of blood all over the hotel room. Since the maid cleaned up the room as usual. It was only the next day when investigators came, the maid said yes, there was some blood.

Good point, it does seem like consciousness of guilt! Nick kept moving, trying to distance himself from crime. Agreed!

If Nick was in a fugue state during the murders, and if he cut himself during the murders, then he wouldn't know how he cut his hand. He would simply know that he had a deep cut on his hand that wouldn't stop bleeding - and he should know that it needed stitches.

I agree that the amount of blood found in the hotel room is probably exaggerated. There was some blood in the shower - maybe on the faucet, and some blood on the sheets. It was not enough blood to cause any concern by cleaning staff.

 

[otto]

The LATimes have removed that sentence but the quote was there Dec 15th when I posted it on this thread. No explanation why it was removed but I can’t help but wonder if it was intended to be confidential info pertaining to the motive.

Thanks. Confidential, or someone speculating about motive, makes sense.

It's also possible that Nick wanted his father to give him money so Nick could make his own movies without his father's help. That is mentioned in the LA Times article, that Nick wanted to be independent and forge his own path without his father, but that doesn't mean he didn't want his father's money. Nick may have resented his parents because they wouldn't hand over $100M so Nick could be famous too. He may have viewed his parents as obstacles to his success.

"In interviews, Nick praised his parents for helping him find sobriety but also said he was trying to forge his own life.

NPR asked them whether they’d want to work together again after “Being Charlie.”

“I think for now, it’s best for me at least to be sort of independent. But that’s not to say I didn’t have an amazing experience,” Nick said. (Based on IMDb, he did not have any other movie roles.)

Rob added: “He was the heart and soul of the film and any time I would get an opportunity to work with him I would do it, but I do understand him wanting to forge his own way. I do know what that’s about, I went through it, and he’s brilliant and talented and he’s going to figure out his path.”

Nick Reiner struggled with addiction and shared his recovery with the world. Now, he's accused of killing parents

On Monday, Nick Reiner was booked into the L.A. County jail on suspicion of murder, hours after his parents Rob and Michele Reiner were found dead inside their Brentwood home.

www.latimes.com

 

[otto]

Maybe it was a combination of both. Maybe Rob and Michele were willing to assist with finances so Nick could produce a film, but Nick would need a second signature for every expense. That would make Nick angry.

Maybe it's no different than his tantrums as a child. He simply decided to have a tantrum about something insignificant, like being told to leave a party, and it escalated to murder.

 

[Betty P]

I have this but no WS approved sources for them. And IF something is wrong - please let me know & any additions anyone finds! TIA!

Timeline: “We don’t have that kind of specificity yet,” McDonnell said of the timeline of the couple’s deaths. “We’re waiting on the coroner to be able to try and determine as best they can at this point.”
[map Reiner's house to the Pierside & on to USC on post #935, page 47]

The Sinclair Gas station is about two miles from the hotel. And the hotel is five minutes from the metro train stop, which goes directly to the Exposition Blvd. stop where Nick was apprehended by cops.
Prosecutors have alleged N Reiner stabbed his parents in "approximately the early morning hours" on Sunday, according to a news release. But a specific time has not been disclosed.

12/13/25 Saturday night: One source told the Daily Mail that Rob & Michele ate at the Amici restaurant Friday [could be Saturday], the night before they attended a holiday party at Conan O'Brien's house with their son.

12/13/25 Saturday, early evening: Rob & Michele & Nick attend Conen O'Brien's holiday party. No time on when they left.

12/13/25 Saturday: Just before midnight – Security cameras show Nick leaving Reiner’s house.

12/13/25 Saturday @ 12:16am: Nick [carrying black backpack] walking across a Sinclair gas station forecourt. John Fawcett, the owner of the nearby Sinclair gas station, has described seeing Nick walking across the forecourt late on Saturday night -CCTV footage from late Saturday night Fawcett described how Nick walked westbound along San Vicente Avenue before cutting through his station. He then crossed the street before pausing outside a consignment store called The RealReal & then heading up the sidewalk.

12/14/25 Sunday @ 4am: Reportedly, NR checked into room 207 at The Pierside Hotel in Santa Monica around 4am on Sunday, 12/14/25.

12/14/25 Sunday @ 2pm: Masseuse arrives-no one answers door.

12/14/25 Sunday @ 3pm: Romy finds her parents dead.

12/14/25 Sunday @ 3:30pm: Emergency services called to home.

12/14/25 Sunday @ 3:40pm: The couple was found dead around 3:40pm on Sunday, 12/14/25.

12/14/25 Sunday @ 8:20pm: Nick buys a drink [Gatorade] at Arco gas station. Early Sunday morning captured on CCTV Reiner has a red backpack slung over his shoulder & is wearing a black & green jacket with white stripes & a dark baseball cap, calmly strolled by the service station just half a mile from his parents' home.

12/14/25 Sunday @ 9:15pm: Reiner was taken into custody [at the *Expo/Vermont Metro station in Exposition Park] around 9:15pm, Sunday, 12/14/25.

12/15/25 Monday @ ~1am: An LAPD detective showed up at the Pierside Santa Monica hotel. the detective told the front desk clerk he was looking for a guest named Nick Reiner. The detective told the clerk he was there for a "welfare check." But he also told the clerk he was concerned Reiner "disposed of a weapon & used the room to clean & dispose of evidence in a violent crime." The clerk accompanied the detective to room 207, but it had been cleaned hours before by a hotel housekeeper, who, we're told, found blood in the shower & on the bed sheets.

12/15/25 Monday @ 5:04am: booked on suspicion of 2 counts of murder at 5:04am, Monday, 12/15/25

Thanks, Niner!

 

[Niner]

Thanks, Niner!

Sure!

If anyone finds more "times" - I shall add them. Just "tag" me!

 

[Betty P]

Sure!

If anyone finds more "times" - I shall add them. Just "tag" me!

I’m just getting back to WS after a busy holiday, then a bout with the flu.

 

[Sadi]

Ok, I didn’t understand the impact on Nick, when I first thought of conservatorship. I’m not real familiar with how these work.

I thought conservatorship was still a Rich kid being taken care of for life, still enabled.
Poor people would not have that safety net.

I’m getting what you are saying now.
My take, Nick did find out, maybe Nick was ungrateful, did not want to be controlled that way.

Re a proposed conservatorship, maybe it was designated, he had to stay at a facility, continue treatment, no credit cards, no funds at all. Still a safety net in my book.

I realize the family is still trying to “ help” him, hired AJ.
I prefer he doesn’t have any money designated to him, and that he is put away in State prison LWOP.

I remember some of the details for Brittany Spears conservatorship, she wasn’t a fan of it and lost a lot of control over her life. Other than that, I honestly don’t know much about it either.

 

[LinasK]

Ok, I didn’t understand the impact on Nick, when I first thought of conservatorship. I’m not real familiar with how these work.

I thought conservatorship was still a Rich kid being taken care of for life, still enabled.
Poor people would not have that safety net.

I’m getting what you are saying now.
My take, Nick did find out, maybe Nick was ungrateful, did not want to be controlled that way.

Re a proposed conservatorship, maybe it was designated, he had to stay at a facility, continue treatment, no credit cards, no funds at all. Still a safety net in my book.

I realize the family is still trying to “ help” him, hired AJ.
I prefer he doesn’t have any money designated to him, and that he is put away in State prison LWOP.

My limited understanding of Conservatorships, are that the money is controlled, like being in a trust, so that Nick couldn't blow money on drugs, or make certain decisions for himself. He would be provided for basics like food, clothing, and a roof over his head. That's reasonable.

 

[ttjo]

My limited understanding of Conservatorships, are that the money is controlled, like being in a trust, so that Nick couldn't blow money on drugs, or make certain decisions for himself. He would be provided for basics like food, clothing, and a roof over his head. That's reasonable.

I wonder if a conservatorship is like a power of attorney and personal directive ?? ( in Canada) They can make decisions about everything, where you live. Etc, but only under certain conditions (like incapacitated)
Did nick even have any money of his own? Besides what they gave him ?
maybe they wanted to have a conservatorship just to take things out of their own hands, No decision making and no guilt for them

 

[Seattle1]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2007254873616658560

 

[Seattle1]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2007074469655773267

 

[SaraSmile]

that section was removed from the LA Times article. We hashed it out far up thread.

Thanks. Confidential, or someone speculating about motive, makes sense.

It's also possible that Nick wanted his father to give him money so Nick could make his own movies without his father's help. That is mentioned in the LA Times article, that Nick wanted to be independent and forge his own path without his father, but that doesn't mean he didn't want his father's money. Nick may have resented his parents because they wouldn't hand over $100M so Nick could be famous too. He may have viewed his parents as obstacles to his success.

"In interviews, Nick praised his parents for helping him find sobriety but also said he was trying to forge his own life.

NPR asked them whether they’d want to work together again after “Being Charlie.”

“I think for now, it’s best for me at least to be sort of independent. But that’s not to say I didn’t have an amazing experience,” Nick said. (Based on IMDb, he did not have any other movie roles.)

Rob added: “He was the heart and soul of the film and any time I would get an opportunity to work with him I would do it, but I do understand him wanting to forge his own way. I do know what that’s about, I went through it, and he’s brilliant and talented and he’s going to figure out his path.”

Nick Reiner struggled with addiction and shared his recovery with the world. Now, he's accused of killing parents

On Monday, Nick Reiner was booked into the L.A. County jail on suspicion of murder, hours after his parents Rob and Michele Reiner were found dead inside their Brentwood home.

www.latimes.com

Haha, can you imagine a film made by Nick, without Rob directing, managing the whole thing?
The fact that “ Being Charlie” was such a huge flop( with Rob’s complete handholding), can you imagine a film made by Nick as an independent filmmaker?

Maybe, when high as a kite, in a grandiose moment of his addiction, Nick thought he could be successful in film ( pipe dream). No way he could make a credible film independently, when so high, and unfocused, all the time.

Nick was brought up in Hollywood, so maybe, he thought a film career would be the “ easier” path for him in life. My translation: he could “work”, and continue to use drugs.

Even Rob seemed to still hold out hope that Nick would get it together, join the family path in the movie business. Maybe just Rob’s desperation, and a bit of wishful thinking, on Rob’s part, trying to help his son, in the best way he knew how.

We know Nick felt dwarfed by his famous family and the movie business. It seems, he “ gave up”, took drugs to cover his own perceived shame. Also, his mental health issues, may have made him feel depressed, insecure, not up to the task. Over time, Nick realized, the film biz was never going to happen for him, he probably felt defeated. Led to a downward spiral.
MOO

 

[BUF]

Records obtained by PEOPLE show that police went to the Brentwood home twice in 2019 — once for a call coded as a welfare check and once for a call classified as mental health–related.

The first call, placed at 9:51 p.m. on Feb. 25, 2019, was logged as a welfare check that instructed officers to “go to” a woman upon arrival, according to LAPD records reviewed by PEOPLE. Officers arrived at the home at 10:12 p.m., completed the call, and reported the incident to a supervisor.

Months later, on Sept. 27, 2019, police responded to a mental health–related call for service involving a male individual placed at 4:24 p.m. Officers arrived at the residence at 5:07 p.m. and informed a supervisor that they found “no indication of mental illness,” the records state.

Wellness Check Calls Brought Police to Rob Reiner’s Home Years Before Killings

LAPD records reviewed by PEOPLE detail two police responses to Rob Reiner’s Los Angeles home for welfare and mental health–related checks that occurred in 2019, years before the director and his wife were killed.

people.com

 

[libraryg]

I agree, he had been resentful and mad at parents for 17 years for trying to control him, get him sober. He was so addicted, the drugs were calling louder than common decency, anymore.

Like he said in the dopey interview, he just wanted to “smoke pot/drink, live at home, back to a normal life ”. It was Never going to happen in his present state.

As we know, in this case, an active addict will Not stop at pot and alcohol, they want harder stuff, and will indulge. Which led to out of his mind psychosis. MOO

As an old friend told me.....drugs will steal your soul.

 

[katydid23]

I really wish someone from Conan O'Brien's party had called LE. If they'd have 5150'd him, the Reiners might still be alive today.

Maybe not though. He'd have been held about 12 hours, at best. Once they found it was a drug addiction, and he was not a violent criminal type, he'd have been sent home with a new medication to try at home.

He may have been very angry then, being called in by his parents friends and arrested. It might not have changed anything in the end. It may have been a New Years murder instead of a Christmas tragedy. imo

 

[katydid23]

Records obtained by PEOPLE show that police went to the Brentwood home twice in 2019 — once for a call coded as a welfare check and once for a call classified as mental health–related.

The first call, placed at 9:51 p.m. on Feb. 25, 2019, was logged as a welfare check that instructed officers to “go to” a woman upon arrival, according to LAPD records reviewed by PEOPLE. Officers arrived at the home at 10:12 p.m., completed the call, and reported the incident to a supervisor.

Months later, on Sept. 27, 2019, police responded to a mental health–related call for service involving a male individual placed at 4:24 p.m. Officers arrived at the residence at 5:07 p.m. and informed a supervisor that they found “no indication of mental illness,” the records state.

Wellness Check Calls Brought Police to Rob Reiner’s Home Years Before Killings

LAPD records reviewed by PEOPLE detail two police responses to Rob Reiner’s Los Angeles home for welfare and mental health–related checks that occurred in 2019, years before the director and his wife were killed.

people.com

" No indication of mental illness...." That sounds so familiar .....

The two times I frantically called 911 , hoping to have my brother taken to a mental hospital, it ended EXACTLY that way. Cops said he was not 'found' to be mentally ill.

One time, I was on the phone with my brother for hours. He was ranting and raving, saying my husband was a spy that wanted to abduct him--- my brother was convinced that the CIA was out to get him.

For hours, my brother threatened that he was going to drive to LA from SF, and if my husband was home, he was going to 'teach him a lesson.' He mentioned he had a gun now.

We had 2 young kids at home. I felt frantic. I sent my husband and kids to a good friend's home across town, by telling my husband half of the crazy story.

Meanwhile, my best friend and neighbour was helping me, by simultaneously calling 911 in San Francisco, and sending them to my brothers apartment, to get him into a psych hold. He was clearly off his meds. He was talking crazy, telling me his voices were certain my husband was a spy and was out to kill him. He had no choice but to get him first.

WE were on the phone with him when the police rang his door bell. I COULD HEAR THE CONVERSATION.

My crazy brother sounded calm, polite and sane. He said he had no idea why anyone would have called them. He was just fine.
When they said his sister called' he laughed just a quiet laugh and said ' Oh , no wonder---I'm sorry officer. She is very angry. I'm sorry you had to come out here for nothing--- Here, SHE"S ON THE PHONE IF YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO HER---


What could I possibly say? I could not say he thinks my husband is a spy trying to kill him---He acted too normal for that kind of accusation...THE OFFICER TOLD ME MY BROTHER WAS NOT MENTALLY ILL.

Once the police left, my brother lost it even more, HE WAS VERY ANGRY NOW ---he said his head was pounding, it was so hard for him to ignore the voices---he was exhausted he said, from trying to block them out----but he was still planning to drive down South after he slept.

Luckily he was arrested halfway because his registration was a year old....

 

[Cool Cats]

Maybe not though. He'd have been held about 12 hours, at best. Once they found it was a drug addiction, and he was not a violent criminal type, he'd have been sent home with a new medication to try at home.

He may have been very angry then, being called in by his parents friends and arrested. It might not have changed anything in the end. It may have been a New Years murder instead of a Christmas tragedy. imo

Medical Hold in California: How It Works and Your Rights

Learn how medical holds work in California, including the process, legal rights, and options for challenging or addressing a hold effectively.

legalclarity.org

MSN

Conan O'Brien ordered guests not to call the police when Nick spun out of control

In CA it is a firm 72 hour hold. Conan stopped guests from calling police which circumvented this hold that would have saved Rob and Michele's lives. However, maybe not. Rob and Michele may have been against this 72 hour hold and insisted that they take Nick home, which of course they did.

I think the fault with Conan personally was he decided for himself what to do about Nick. Instead of discussing options with Nick's parents about the best way to handle the situation, Conan seems to have decided he didn't want to be bothered having police swarming his house.

Could O'Brien have prevented the murders?

"When the s*** was hitting the fan," a second source recalled, "somebody said we need to call the police. The conversation was about getting this kid put into a mental-health hold."

That second source confirmed O'Brien's refusal to notify authorities.

"Conan O'Brien stepped in and said, 'No, I don't want the police at my house,' the source added. "It makes sense; who wants the cops showing up creating a scene? But the argument between Rob and Nick was pretty intense."

 

[katydid23]

MSN

In CA it is a firm 72 hour hold. Conan stopped guests from calling police which circumvented this hold that would have saved Rob and Michele's lives. However, maybe not. Rob and Michele may have been against this 72 hour hold and insisted that they take Nick home, which of course they did.

I think the fault with Conan personally was he decided for himself what to do about Nick. Instead of discussing options with Nick's parents about the best way to handle the situation, Conan didn't want to be bothered having police swarming his house.

It's only 72 hours if they decide you are in need of being taken in as mentally ill. *

Just because someone calls and says the person needs to be held, it does not mean he would meet the standard.

People sometimes know how to act calm and sane when they absolutely need to. Even if they are mentally ill.


*.

• Duration: The hold is for a period up to 72 hours. The facility can release the person sooner if they no longer meet the criteria for involuntary detention.
• Start Time: The 72-hour period begins at the time the person is first detained.

 

[katydid23]

Medical Hold in California: How It Works and Your Rights

Learn how medical holds work in California, including the process, legal rights, and options for challenging or addressing a hold effectively.

legalclarity.org

MSN

Tragic: Conan O'Brien could have saved Reiners' lives if he hadn't ordered guests not to call the police when Nick spun out of control

In CA it is a firm 72 hour hold. Conan stopped guests from calling police which circumvented this hold that would have saved Rob and Michele's lives. However, maybe not. Rob and Michele may have been against this 72 hour hold and insisted that they take Nick home, which of course they did.

I think the fault with Conan personally was he decided for himself what to do about Nick. Instead of discussing options with Nick's parents about the best way to handle the situation, Conan didn't want to be bothered having police swarming his house.

Could O'Brien have prevented the murders?

"When the s*** was hitting the fan," a second source recalled, "somebody said we need to call the police. The conversation was about getting this kid put into a mental-health hold."

That second source confirmed O'Brien's refusal to notify authorities.

"Conan O'Brien stepped in and said, 'No, I don't want the police at my house,' the source added. "It makes sense; who wants the cops showing up creating a scene? But the argument between Rob and Nick was pretty intense."

A person can be placed on a 5150 hold only if an authorized professional (e.g., police officer, mobile crisis team member, or certain mental health professionals) has probable cause to believe that, as a result of a mental disorder (or in some counties, substance use disorder under the new SB 43 law), the person is one of the following:

• A danger to themselves (DTS)
• A danger to others (DTO)
• Gravely disabled (GD), meaning they are unable to provide for their basic needs for food, clothing, or shelter