The tragic deaths of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner have taken an even darker turn after multiple reports confirmed the couple was killed by their son, Nick Reiner. The pair were found dead inside their Brentwood home on Sunday, December 14, with TMZ reporting “lacerations consistent with a knife,” though LAPD’s Robbery-Homicide Division continues to investigate.
A long struggle with addiction
Nick Reiner, born September 14, 1993, has openly discussed his years-long battle with substance abuse — a struggle that began in his early teens and repeatedly strained his relationship with his family.
According to past interviews with PEOPLE:
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Nick entered rehab for the first time at 15.
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By 2016, he had gone through more than a dozen rehabilitation programs.
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His addiction escalated to the point where he spent weeks or months homeless across multiple states, including Maine, New Jersey, and Texas.
“I spent nights on the street. I spent weeks on the street. It was not fun,” Nick said in 2016. He admitted that his homelessness was a consequence of refusing treatment: “If I wanted to do it my way and not go to the programs they were suggesting, then I had to be homeless.”
From addiction to storytelling
Amid his struggle, Nick turned to writing. He co-wrote the screenplay for Being Charlie, a semi-autobiographical film based on his experiences with addiction and homelessness. Directed by his father, Rob Reiner, the film marked one of the most personal projects of Rob’s career.
“When I was out there, I could’ve died. It’s all luck,” Nick said while promoting the film.
A family devastated
Rob and Michele were married for 35 years, sharing three children — Jake, Romy, and Nick — along with Rob’s older daughter Tracy from his marriage to the late Penny Marshall.
Their sudden deaths have stunned Hollywood. While police have not publicly released the motive or official cause of death, PEOPLE and other outlets report that Nick is the alleged killer, bringing an unimaginable conclusion to a family that had spent decades navigating the challenges of addiction, recovery, and reconciliation.
