The son of legendary filmmaker Rob Reiner has been arrested on suspicion of murdering both his parents, with disturbing details emerging about his behaviour just hours before the tragedy.
Nick Reiner, 32, attended a party hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien on Saturday night alongside his father and mother, Michele Singer Reiner.
According to sources speaking to Sky News, the couple were allegedly visibly upset and embarrassed by their son's disruptive conduct throughout the evening.
Multiple guests reportedly felt uncomfortable due to Nick's behaviour. In one incident, he reportedly interrupted a private conversation that filmmaker Bill Hader was having with two other attendees. When told the conversation was private, Nick allegedly stood motionless and stared before abruptly leaving.
Rob and Michele had allegedly expressed serious concerns about their son's health to other partygoers that night.
The tragic discovery
The Los Angeles Fire Department discovered a 78-year-old man and 68-year-old woman dead inside a Brentwood property on Sunday. US media reports indicate the couple died from stab wounds.
Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner were found dead on December 14. Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty Images.
The Los Angeles Police Department's robbery and homicide division worked through the night investigating the case. Police Chief Jim McDonnell confirmed Nick Reiner was taken into custody as a suspect, describing the deaths as "a very tragic incident," per NBCLA.
The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County district attorney's office on Tuesday for consideration of charges.
Trump's controversial response sparks outrage
President Donald Trump faced fierce backlash after posting an extraordinary statement on Truth Social about the killings. He described Rob Reiner as "tortured and struggling, but once very talented" and claimed the deaths resulted from what he called "TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME."
The response drew widespread condemnation from celebrities and politicians alike. California Governor Gavin Newsom simply wrote: "This is a sick man."
Actor Patrick Schwarzenegger called the statement "disgusting and vile," whilst Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren described it as "a new low for this petty, hateful man."
Even Republican Congressman Thomas Massie weighed in, stating: "Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered."
A family's long struggle
Nick Reiner has been open about his battles with addiction, cycling through treatment facilities from the age of 18 whilst experiencing periods of homelessness and multiple relapses.
Father and son explored their troubled relationship in the 2016 film Being Charlie, which they co-wrote together. The film documented Nick's struggles with heroin addiction and life on the streets.
Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene noted this context in her statement, emphasizing (via The Hill): "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."
Rob Reiner was seen enjoying a vacation with his family - just weeks before his death. Credit: Romy Reiner/Instagram.
Remembering a Hollywood legend
Rob Reiner directed some of cinema's most beloved films, including The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men, and Stand By Me. He met Michele Singer in 1989 whilst directing When Harry Met Sally, and they had three children together.
Former President Barack Obama led tributes, writing that Rob's work "gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen."