The entertainment world is still reeling from the horrific news that emerged on Sunday about the death of famed director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele. Rob Reiner was a truly beloved figure in Hollywood, known for a string of warm-hearted classic movies and for being a generally wonderful person to be around.
That horror only deepened when it became apparent that the only suspect for the murders was Nick Reiner, the couple’s son who’d spent years battling drug addiction.
The precise details of what happened are still unknown, though it appears Rob and Nick Reiner had a vocal argument on Saturday night at Conan O’Brien’s Christmas party, where guests noted that Nick was “acting strangely”. The next day, the couple’s daughter, Romy Reiner, arrived at their home and discovered the bodies of her parents, whose throats had reportedly been slit.
Romy summoned authorities, who soon confirmed this was a crime scene and began an investigation. Later that evening, Nick Reiner was detained at the Exposition Park Metro station 15 miles from his parents’ home. Now we can see exactly how that went down, as yesterday the LAPD Gang and Narcotics Unit posted images from his arrest to their Instagram account:
LAPD releases pictures of Nick Reiner's arrest following the murders of his father Rob Reiner, and his mother. pic.twitter.com/mrN228Nefh
— Prime Update (@primeupdate1) December 16, 2025
The LAPD deleted these images soon after posting them. It’s unclear why, but it may breach the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, or simply be against LAPD professional conduct and ethical policy.
Nick Reiner’s movements
Whatever the case, it now appears that Nick Reiner had departed his parents’ house early in the morning and checked into The Pierside Santa Monica motel, where staff made the grisly discovery of a blood-soaked shower and a window blocked by bedsheets. The Daily Mail reports witnesses at the motel say Nick looked “tweaked out” on arrival.
Nick had earlier checked in to The Pierside Santa Monica, where staff discovered a shower 'full of blood' and a trail leading off of his bed, as well as a window covered up by bedsheets.
— Mark Groubert (@lordbuckly) December 16, 2025
He checked in at 4am, just hours after he and his parents had an intense argument at Conan… pic.twitter.com/Ra75vWnJvW
You may wonder why a motel would let a “tweaked out” man who was apparently dripping with blood rent a room for the night, but perhaps it’s best policy for motel clerks not to ask too many questions of their guests.
The investigation is ongoing, though for now it seems cops and prosecutors have an open-and-shut case against Nick Reiner. We await more details of the case and can only sympathise with the Reiners’ family and friends.
