The Hollywood community was rocked by heartbreaking news when beloved filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner were found dead in their Brentwood home.
Among the first to respond were Billy Crystal and his wife Janice, who reportedly rushed to the scene after hearing from the couple’s daughter.
Their urgency was so immediate that they arrived in time to witness first responders attending to the tragic aftermath.
The Tragic Discovery
Rob, 78, and Michele, 70, were reportedly stabbed to death, with police now identifying their son, Nick Reiner, as the person responsible.
It was their daughter, Romy, who discovered the tragedy and contacted authorities.
She then reached out to the Crystals, who quickly made their way to the family home.
Sources told TMZ that the couple “wanted to say their goodbyes” and were visibly emotional when leaving the scene, with Billy Crystal seen wiping tears from his eyes while supporting his wife.
Nick Reiner’s Struggles
Nick, 32, has a documented history of drug addiction and mental health challenges.
He is now facing federal murder charges and is being held without bail.
Romy reportedly alerted police that a family member was “dangerous” and could be a suspect, which ultimately led authorities to Nick.
Just hours before the tragedy, Nick had reportedly caused alarm at a holiday party hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien, where he had a loud confrontation and unnerved A-list guests.
A Family’s Long Battle with Addiction
The Reiner family has openly struggled with Nick’s mental health and substance abuse issues for years.
Nick had attended rehab numerous times, beginning as early as age 15.
By age 22, he claimed to have gone to rehab 17 times and described periods of homelessness in Maine, New Jersey, and Texas after refusing certain treatments.
He later reflected that being on the streets was a wake-up call: “I got sick of doing that,” he said, recognizing that his family had a stable life he wanted to return to.
Reflections and Regrets
Rob and Michele previously expressed regret over how they handled Nick’s addiction.
Rob admitted that they often relied too heavily on professionals and ignored Nick’s feedback, while Michele noted they were sometimes misled by others into thinking Nick was being manipulative.
Despite the difficulties, the family collaborated on a creative project, co-writing the semi-autobiographical film Being Charlie, which depicts a father-son relationship strained by addiction.
Working together on the movie reportedly helped Nick feel closer to his father and strengthened their bond.
A Storied Friendship with Billy Crystal
Beyond his role as a father, Rob Reiner was a Hollywood icon, directing classics like Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, A Few Good Men, and When Harry Met Sally, the latter starring Billy Crystal.
Crystal and Reiner’s friendship dates back to 1975 when they met on the set of All in the Family.
Crystal has described their on-screen chemistry as so natural that it blossomed into a lifelong off-screen friendship.
One of his fondest memories includes sitting next to Reiner during the first screening of When Harry Met Sally, experiencing the audience’s raucous laughter together.
Official Statements and Family Legacy
The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed responding to the Brentwood property around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, finding Rob and Michele deceased.
In a statement, the Reiner family said: “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner.
We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.”
The couple had recently posed for a full family photo in September with their children, including Nick and Romy, and their eldest son Jake, marking a bittersweet moment before this devastating loss.
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