Hollywood is in mourning after the shocking deaths of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, photographer Michele Singer Reiner. The couple were found stabbed to death in their $13.5 million Brentwood mansion on Sunday.
A Fateful Final Evening
In a tragic twist, legendary actress and activist Jane Fonda revealed she spent time with the couple just hours before the attack. The two-time Oscar winner, who turns 88 next Sunday, was with the Reiners on Saturday night, likely at Conan O'Brien's Christmas party.
Fonda took to Instagram on Monday to pay tribute, writing: 'Rob and Michele Reiner were wonderful, caring, smart, funny, generous people, always coming up with ideas for how to make the world better, kinder.' She added, 'They had been helping me launch the Committee for the First Amendment. I saw them night before last looking healthy and happy. I am reeling with grief. Stunned.'
A Troubled Son and a Loud Argument
The primary suspect in the double murder is the couple's 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner. Reports indicate that at the Christmas party, Nick was involved in a 'very loud argument' with his parents. A source told People magazine that 'Nick was freaking everyone out, acting crazy, kept asking people if they were famous.'
The tragedy follows years of the Reiners trying to secure help for their son's mental illness and substance abuse issues, which had led to over 20 attempts at rehabilitation. Rob, 78, and Michele, 68, had been married for 36 years and are survived by their two other children, Jake, 34, and Romy, 27.
A Storied Career and a Final Film
Rob Reiner, the son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, was a beloved figure in the film industry. His directorial credits include classics such as 'Stand by Me', 'The Princess Bride', and 'When Harry Met Sally'. He famously changed the ending of the latter to a happier conclusion after meeting Michele during production.
His final project, 'Spinal Tap at Stonehenge: The Final Finale', is scheduled for release next year. The concert film features the original cast and special guests including Eric Clapton and Shania Twain.
Nick Reiner is currently being held without bail at Los Angeles's Twin Towers Jail, facing double murder charges. The case has sent shockwaves through the entertainment community, highlighting the devastating intersection of family tragedy and mental health crisis.
