Rob Reiner’s Friend Details Staying in His Home With Nick Reiner

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People are learning more about the relationship between Rob Reiner, Michele Singer Reiner, and their son, Nick Reiner.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been following the tragic story of Rob and Michele, and I recently learned some details from cinematographer Barry Markowitz, who was close to the family. He shared that he actually stayed with them at their Los Angeles home just weeks before they were found. What struck me most was Barry’s observation about their son, Nick. He said Nick seemed to be doing really well, finally turning a corner after a long struggle with addiction. It’s just heartbreaking to hear, given the current accusations.

I was so glad to hear Barry say that he thought the guy looked fantastic! Apparently, he wasn’t just relaxing either – he really pitched in. Barry told Page Six he actually helped with chores like taking out the trash and doing the dishes, and he even just chilled and watched TV with everyone. It’s great to see him being so normal and helpful!

The filmmaker continued, “He was just normal in that sense.”

I was so happy to hear Barry talk about his stay with the Reiners when he was in L.A. for work last November. He described it as just a really wonderful, loving experience – a total ‘love fest,’ he called it! It’s great to know he felt so welcome and comfortable in their home.

“They eat dinner together,” he shared of the family. “A lot of love, always a lot of love.”

Barry, having previously collaborated with Rob and Nick on the 2015 film Being Charlie – a movie based on Rob’s personal struggles – was upset to hear about recent disagreements between them.

“What’s puzzling the most,” he said, “is that there was so much love.”

Barry continued, “I don’t think it was fake. They had a real bond.”

Although Barry didn’t have a chance to meet Rob and Michele’s son, Jake Reiner, during his visit, he found their daughter, Romy Reiner, to be very friendly and hospitable.

He recalls that at dinnertime, she would join them and they’d all just chat and joke around. He didn’t notice anything unusual about how the family interacted, saying he only saw “love.”

Nick was arrested on December 14th, after Rob and Michele were found dead in their home. Two days later, District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced that Nick would be charged with two counts of first-degree murder, specifically for committing multiple murders.

He also stated that Nick will be charged with an additional crime: personally using a deadly weapon – a knife – during the attack on his parents.

As a longtime follower of this case, I was shocked to hear the District Attorney state that the charges against the defendant could result in a life sentence with no chance of parole, or even the death penalty. It’s a really serious situation, and the potential consequences are devastating.

For a detailed timeline into Rob and Michele’s deaths, read on.

Long before Rob and Michele Singer Reiner passed away, their son, Nick Reiner, openly discussed his own struggles with addiction. He even worked with his father on the 2015 film Being Charlie, which focused on the topic of substance abuse.

Nick explained that he had been to rehab 17 times before turning 30. 

In a 2016 interview with People magazine, he recounted his experiences with homelessness, stating he had lived on the streets in Maine, New Jersey, and Texas. He described spending nights and weeks without shelter as deeply unpleasant.

Two years later, Nick recalled an instance when he “wrecked” his home while high on drugs. 

He described an incident from 2018 on the Dopey podcast, explaining that he spent 10 rounds sparring in his guest house. He’d taken a lot of uppers – he believes it was cocaine and another stimulant – and was awake for days. This led to him starting to punch things in the guest house.

According to multiple sources at Conan O’Brien’s Christmas party on December 13th, director Rob Reiner and his 32-year-old son, Nick, had a significant argument. Friends of the family confirmed the fight to the L.A. Times, adding that guests observed Nick behaving oddly during the holiday celebration.

According to two sources familiar with the event, Nick was causing a disturbance at the party by interrupting people and being disruptive.

On December 14th, around 3:40 p.m., the Los Angeles Police Department investigated a death at a home in Brentwood, California, following a call they received the day after a Christmas party.

According to a statement from the LAPD, officers found two people inside the home, later identified as Robert and Michele Reiner.

Okay, so when they found them… it wasn’t just anyone investigating. It was the Robbery Homicide Division, specifically their Homicide Special Section – the RHD/HSS. They were the ones who really dug into everything, trying to figure out what happened. Honestly, knowing they were on the case… it meant it was serious. They don’t mess around with cases like this, and I was just glued to any update they released.

According to NBC News, Deputy Police Chief Alan Hamilton stated that investigators will be speaking with many family members. Rob Reiner and his wife have three children: Nick, Romy, and Jake. Rob also adopted the daughter of his late ex-wife, Penny Marshall, named Tracy Reiner.

Rob and Michele Reiner didn’t die from illness or old age; a source told NBC News they likely died from stab wounds.

After a first look at the evidence, the LAPD announced that the Reiners had been murdered.

Police determined that Rob and Michele’s son, Nick, caused their deaths. He wasn’t arrested until several hours after their bodies were discovered.

Police announced that Nick Reiner was arrested around 9:15 p.m. on December 15th. He has been charged with murder and is being held in jail without the possibility of bail.

TopMob News was not able to find a lawyer on file to speak on Nick Reiner’s behalf.  

After Rob’s death, Tracy said she’d seen her father the day before his passing. 

She told NBC News that she came from a wonderful family and was completely shocked by what happened, saying she didn’t know what to say.

Jane Fonda saw Rob and Michele the night before their tragic deaths.

The actress posted on Instagram on December 15th that she had seen them two nights prior and they seemed well and cheerful. She added that she is now deeply saddened and shocked by the news.

On December 15th, while appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Michelle Obama shared that she and Barack Obama had planned to meet with Rob and Michele on the day they tragically passed away.

On December 16th, TopMob News confirmed that Alan Jackson, a criminal defense attorney known for representing high-profile clients like Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, and Karen Read, has been hired to represent Nick, who was arrested two days prior in connection with his parents’ murder.

On December 16th, as authorities prepared to announce charges against Nick at a Los Angeles courthouse, his lawyer informed the press that he hadn’t been given medical approval to appear in court.

According to reports, officials stated that all prisoners must receive medical approval before being taken to court. They are optimistic that the individual in question will be cleared for transport tomorrow.

On December 16th, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced that Nick will be formally charged with two counts of first-degree murder, and prosecutors will seek a special circumstance penalty due to multiple deaths.

Okay, so the District Attorney just said it – Nick didn’t just hurt his parents, he actually used a knife! A knife! They’re calling it a ‘special allegation,’ which basically means he’s in even bigger trouble because he intentionally used a dangerous weapon. I can’t even believe it… a knife! It’s just… horrifying. I’ve been following this case so closely, and this detail is just… devastating. It’s just awful to think about.

He explained that if convicted, the charges could result in a life sentence with no chance of release, or even the death penalty.

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2025-12-17 03:47