Nick Reiner’s Family Speaks Out After Attorney Withdraws From Case

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Nick Reiner is getting a new team. 

As a lifestyle expert, I’m following this story closely. It seems things are shifting for Nick – his lawyer, Alan Jackson, just withdrew from his case in court on January 7th. For now, he’ll be represented by a public defender, which is a big change. I’ll be keeping you updated as things develop.

Because Nick has a new lawyer, he hasn’t yet entered a plea for the two counts of first-degree murder related to the deaths of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner. His court appearance to enter that plea has been moved to February 23rd.

After hearing the news, Nick’s family released a statement to the New York Times saying they are confident in the legal system and won’t be making any further public comments about the case.

On December 14th, police discovered Rob, 78, and Michele, 70, deceased at their home in Los Angeles. Later that evening, Nick was arrested near the University of Southern California and is being held as a suspect in their deaths.

On December 16th, Nick was accused of attacking a couple with a knife. Prosecutors stated he would also be charged with using a deadly weapon during the assault.

The director of When Harry Met Sally and his wife, who had been married for 36 years, have died, causing widespread grief in Hollywood. Jane Fonda revealed she had seen them the night before they were discovered.

Jane shared on Instagram on December 15th that she had seen them two nights prior and they seemed healthy and happy. She added that she is now devastated and in shock.

Rob’s adopted daughter, Tracy Reiner, was also deeply saddened by the news, just like many others. Rob adopted Tracy while married to his late wife, Penny Marshall.

Oh my gosh, she actually said it! She told NBC News that her family is the greatest ever – the greatest! I’m seriously losing it just thinking about it. She sounded so stunned, like she couldn’t even process how amazing everything is. She said she was in shock, and honestly? Same. I’m completely and utterly shocked by her perfection.

Rob and Michele are also survived by their kids Jake Reiner, 34, and Romy Reiner, 27. 

According to Barry Markowitz, a friend who stayed with Rob and Michele at their home in Brentwood, California in November, the couple seemed to have a warm and affectionate relationship with Nick in the weeks before their deaths.

Barry shared with Page Six that they had a cozy family day, watching a movie and a basketball game, and playing with their dogs. He described it as a loving and joyful time, and added that Nick seems to be doing much better after struggling with addiction for several years.

The filmmaker said he was impressed, noting that the person not only looked good but also pitched in with everyday tasks like taking out the trash, watching TV, and doing the dishes.

As Barry noted, “He was just normal in that sense.”

Nick has openly discussed his difficult past, revealing he went to rehab 18 times between the ages of 14 and 19. He believes the stress of growing up in a well-known family added to the pressures that led him to struggle with substance abuse.

You know, everyone deals with challenges differently, but for me, the biggest source of stress came from family dynamics – I often felt like I was under pressure and taking the blame for things. Honestly, I was a pretty sensitive kid, and I struggled with self-esteem. I just didn’t really like myself back then, and that was tough.

He eventually got clean after feeling “bored” with his time in rehab.

He explained he’d simply had enough. He felt trapped in a repeating pattern – using drugs for a short-term escape, then relapsing and spending months recovering, only to start the cycle all over again.

Nick involved his father in directing his 2015 film, Being Charlie, which was based on his personal experiences with addiction. However, he later struggled again, revealing he suffered a heart attack around 2017 after relapsing and using drugs again.

He mentioned on the Dopey podcast in 2018 that he reconnected with a former drug dealer, which led to him using heroin with him for about three weeks.

For a closer look at the investigation into Rob and Michele’s murders, read on.

Long before Rob and Michele Singer Reiner sadly passed away, their son, Nick Reiner, spoke openly about 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 shared that he had experienced homelessness in three different states: Maine, New Jersey, and Texas. He described spending nights and weeks living on the streets, and said it was a difficult time.

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 ten rounds sparring in his guest house while high on stimulants—likely cocaine and another drug—keeping him awake for days and leading him to start damaging things.

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 later confirmed the fight to the L.A. Times, adding that guests observed Nick behaving unusually.

According to two sources familiar with the event, Nick was causing disturbances at the party by interrupting people’s conversations.

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

I was so shocked and heartbroken to hear the news. Just two nights ago, I saw them and they seemed so full of life and happiness. I’m still trying to process this loss – it’s completely stunned me.

On December 14th, around 3:40 p.m., the Los Angeles Police Department was called to a home in Brentwood, California, to investigate a death, following a report received the day after a Christmas party.

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

The Robbery-Homicide Division’s Homicide Special Section began investigating how the deaths occurred.

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.

Rob and Michele did not die from natural causes; they appear to have been stabbed, according to a source close to the Reiner family who spoke with NBC News.

According to the LAPD, the initial investigation revealed that the Reiners were victims of homicide.

Around 9 p.m. on December 14th, while the police were investigating, Nick was caught on camera buying a Gatorade at an ARCO gas station near USC in downtown Los Angeles. According to footage obtained by MS NOW, he was wearing a green jacket, jeans, and a ballcap, and carrying a red backpack.

Minutes later, the screenwriter was taken into custody near USC.

The Los Angeles Police Department stated their investigation showed Rob and Michele’s son caused their deaths.

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.

On the December 15th episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live, Michelle Obama shared that she and Barack Obama had plans to see Rob and Michele on the day they tragically passed away.

On December 16th, attorney Alan Jackson—known for previously defending high-profile clients like Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, and Karen Read—told TopMob News that he is now representing Nick, who was arrested two days prior in connection with his parents’ murder.

On December 16th, as authorities were preparing 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, the official stated that all inmates require a medical checkup before being taken to court. He expressed hope that the individual in question would receive clearance by tomorrow, allowing for his transport.

On December 16th, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced that his office will be charging Nick with two counts of first-degree murder, and will also pursue a special circumstance allegation due to multiple deaths.

Okay, so the District Attorney just confirmed something horrifying. Apparently, they’re adding a special charge against Nick – they’re saying he didn’t just attack his parents, he personally used a knife! A knife! I can’t even… it’s just awful to think about, and the detail… it’s just sickening. I’ve been following this case so closely, and this new information is just… devastating.

He explained that if convicted, the maximum punishment could be life in prison with no chance of release, or even the death penalty.

Nick was formally charged Dec. 16. 

Police believe Rob and Michele were likely killed about 12 hours before their bodies were found around 3 p.m. on December 14th.

According to a press release on December 16th, the district attorney stated the murders happened around dawn on December 14th.

According to a press release from the District Attorney on December 16th, Nick is accused of killing his parents by stabbing them. Prosecutors allege he used a knife as the deadly weapon in the attacks.

I was shocked to see Nick in court on December 17th. He showed up at the Los Angeles Supreme Court wearing a blue anti-suicide smock and in shackles. He didn’t say whether he was guilty or not at this first appearance, but he and his lawyers scheduled another court date for January 7th, which I understand will be his arraignment.

On December 17th, the medical examiner concluded that both Rob and Michele died from multiple cuts or stab wounds.

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2026-01-07 21:18