Contrary to speculation swirling online, Nick Reiner was not kicked out of his parents’ house prior to the brutal murders of Rob and Michele Reiner, according to a new report.
The “When Harry Met Sally” director, 78, and photographer, 70, were found fatally stabbed at their Los Angeles home on Sunday afternoon. Nick, 32, was arrested later that night and charged on Tuesday with two counts of first-degree murder, with special circumstances that could increase his sentence if he’s convicted.
The night before their bodies were found, the father and son — who’d been staying in his parents’ guest house — allegedly got into a “very loud argument” at Conan O’Brien’s holiday party, where Nick also got into it with comedian Bill Hader.
It was previously reported that the altercations led to Rob Reiner kicking his son out of the Brentwood home, however an insider told TMZ that wasn’t the case. Nick instead left the home on his own accord and checked into a Santa Monica hotel early Sunday morning, according to a source with direct knowledge. It’s unclear what led to that decision.
Hours after Nick checked into the hotel, Reiner’s body was discovered by 27-year-old daughter Romy, who was reportedly informed of her mother’s death later on. Authorities are still working to determine an exact time of death.
Romy and her other brother Jake, 34, are staying “incredibly strong” as they navigate through the tragic ordeal, a source told People.
“It has of course been a huge shock to the system. This nightmare came out of nowhere for them, but they’ve been surrounded with support since the second they found out,” the insider said. “Jake and Romy will never be alone as they try to face this.”
On Wednesday, Jake and Romy broke their silence on the “unimaginable pain” they’re facing after “the horrific and devastating loss of our parents,” whom they remember as they “best friends.” Their statement did not directly address the alleged involvement of their middle brother.
Nick, now facing life in prison without parole or potentially the death penalty, is scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 7, at which point his defense team will decide how to proceed in regards to what, if any, role his mental health played in the alleged murders.
The “Being Charlie” co-writer has a long history of substance abuse and mental health issues dating back to adolescence. Insiders told TMZ on Thursday that prescription drugs “messed with [Nick’s] head” in the run-up to the killings, despite his father saying in September that Nick was sober and in a “really good place.”
An insider told People this week that while Nick was known to be “self-destructive,” no one believed him to “violent.”
