In the wake of the brutal murders of Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer, a family friend has come forward with unsettling revelations about the troubled past of their son, Nick Reiner.
The 32-year-old was arrested on suspicion of fatally stabbing his parents in their Los Angeles mansion on Sunday (December 14).
According to a family friend, Nick had been a deeply troubled child, and signs of his violent tendencies were evident long before his adult years.
Nick Reiner is charged with his parents, Rob and Michele murders. Credit: Michael Buckner / Getty
Early Warning Signs of Nick’s Troubling Behavior
The unnamed person, who has allegedly known the suspect all his life, recalled an incident from the early 2000s when Nick, at just 11 years old, had an outburst so intense that Rob had to physically restrain him in a bear hug.
"It was terrifying really," the friend said, describing the tantrum as having "so much anger in his eyes," cited by Daily Mail.
The friend explained that while the tantrum was over something minor, it was a reflection of the deep anger Nick harbored, a trait that would never truly dissipate. "This happened a lot, and he never outgrew it. He had tantrums in his 20s," they added.
This incident, which occurred in the couple's Brentwood home, marked the beginning of a long history of anger and violence.
Nick’s rages were reportedly frequent, with his parents often struggling to manage his behavior, which at times involved physical restraint, though never violence in the form of punches.
A Life of Struggles with Addiction and Mental Health
Nick’s struggles with anger were compounded by a history of substance abuse. From a young age, he battled with cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine addictions, spending years in and out of rehab.
His parents, deeply protective of their son, tried to help him through his tumultuous journey, though it was clear that their attempts were not always successful.
The family friend also revealed that Nick’s presence at the Reiners’ home in recent years was often disruptive. "He was a mess," they said, recalling how Nick would often appear at the house "smelling of weed and sweat" and displaying erratic behavior.
The source described an encounter a few years ago when the man entered the kitchen high on something, ignored a greeting, and rudely walked out of the room.
They said his mother asked, "Aren't you going to be more polite?" to which he responded by "grunting again and walking out".
"They had no control over him, when he was young, or when he got older. He was always rude," the family friend noted.
Rob Reiner and Michele shared three children. Credit: Michael Loccisano / Getty
Despite his parents' best efforts, their focus on their son often came at the expense of their other children.
Nick’s siblings, Romy and Jake, reportedly resented the attention their brother received. "Who got the most attention? Nick. Who took all their energy? Nick. And who did they baby the most? Nick," the friend explained.
The filmmaker, known for his tough-love approach with other aspects of his life, seemed unable to apply the same to Nick, treating him as though he was suffering from an illness that required constant care and support.
"He saw him as having an illness, a sickness, and babied him because of it," the source continued. "But the other kids were so good. They loved their parents dearly, they loved Nick. He was just the one who drove them to the edge."
credit: Lester Cohen / Getty
The Tragic Events Leading to the Murder of Rob and Michele Reiner
The events leading to the deaths of Rob and Michele unfolded after a bizarre encounter at a holiday party hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien.
At the party, Nick's strange behavior escalated as he asked A-list celebrities odd questions such as, "What's your name? What's your last name? Are you famous?"
According to The Wall Street Journal, his awkwardness led to his being asked to leave the party. He became irate when comedian Bill Hader asked for privacy, and sources said Nick stormed off shortly afterward.
That evening, the 32-year-old checked into a hotel in Santa Monica under suspicious circumstances, per TMZ.
Staff discovered a blood-filled shower and a trail of blood leading from his room. Later that day, he was arrested at a subway station in Los Angeles and placed on suicide watch at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility.
He is facing two counts of first-degree murder. If convicted, he could face life in prison or even the death penalty.
Authorities have not found any evidence that Nick was under the influence of drugs at the time of the murders, despite his well-documented history of substance abuse.