Police found Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner dead at their Los Angeles home on Sunday, with their son Nick Reiner arrested and charged with their murder. Police hold the 32-year-old without bail after confirming he was "responsible" for the deaths of the acclaimed filmmaker, 78, and his wife, 68.
The couple's daughter Romy discovered their bodies at the family's Brentwood mansion on Sunday afternoon after a masseuse arrived for a scheduled appointment but received no answer. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a medical aid call shortly after 3:30 p.m., finding both victims deceased with injuries consistent with a knife attack.
Police arrested Nick Reiner Sunday evening and booked him for felony murder Monday morning. The arrest followed reports of a heated argument between Nick and his parents at a holiday party hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien on Saturday night. Sources described the argument as "very loud," with guests observing Nick acting erratically hours before the deaths.
Trump's Controversial Response
President Donald Trump sparked immediate backlash after posting on Truth Social that Rob Reiner died "reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as Trump derangement syndrome." Trump described the director as a "tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star" with a "raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump."
At a Monday press conference, Trump doubled down on his remarks. "Well, I wasn't a fan of his at all. He was a deranged person, as far as Trump is concerned," Trump said. "I thought he was very bad for our country."
Bipartisan Condemnation
Trump's statements drew sharp criticism from both Republicans and Democrats. Georgia Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a former Trump ally, rejected the political framing: "This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies. Many families deal with a family member with drug addiction and mental health issues. It's incredibly difficult and should be met with empathy especially when it ends in murder."
Kentucky Republican Representative Thomas Massie called Trump's remarks inappropriate. "Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered," he said. "I guess my elected GOP colleagues, the VP, and White House staff will just ignore it because they're afraid? I challenge anyone to defend it."
New York Republican Representative Mike Lawler stated: "This statement is wrong. Regardless of one's political views, no one should be subjected to violence, let alone at the hands of their own son. It's a horrible tragedy that should engender sympathy and compassion from everyone in our country, period."
Television host Piers Morgan wrote on X: "This is a dreadful thing to say about a man who just got murdered by his troubled son. Delete it, Mr President."
California Governor Gavin Newsom called Trump "a sick man."
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama issued a joint statement describing themselves as "heartbroken" and praising Reiner's "deep belief in the goodness of people."
Family Struggles
Nick Reiner had a long-documented history of drug addiction and mental health struggles. He first attended rehab around his 15th birthday and, by age 22, had been to treatment facilities 17 times. He experienced periods of homelessness in Maine, New Jersey and Texas.
In 2015, Nick co-wrote the semi-autobiographical film "Being Charlie" with his father, which explored their strained relationship and Nick's addiction. Rob Reiner told the Associated Press in 2016: "I maybe didn't handle it the best way. I listened to a lot of people who had a desk and a diploma. I didn't really think about my kid and what he needed."
Sources told media outlets that Michele Reiner had expressed anguish in recent months about Nick's "spiraling mental illness and drug issues," telling friends: "We've tried everything."
Romy Reiner reportedly told police that a family member "should be a suspect" because they are "dangerous," according to reports.
Reiner's Legacy
Rob Reiner rose to fame as an actor in the 1970s sitcom "All in the Family" before becoming one of Hollywood's most successful directors. His films included "When Harry Met Sally," "The Princess Bride," "Stand by Me," "Misery," and "A Few Good Men." He was also a prominent political activist and vocal critic of Trump.
Michele Singer Reiner was a photographer and producer who met her husband on the set of "When Harry Met Sally" in 1989. They married later that year and had three children together.
The investigation is ongoing, with the Los Angeles Police Department's robbery-homicide division leading the case.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
