Nick Reiner’s siblings Romy and Jake describe ‘unimaginable pain’ as they break silence after brother’s arrest and parents’ murder
Nick Reiner’s siblings Romy and Jake have released a heart wrenching statement after their brother was arrested in connection with the brutal murder of their parents.
Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were knifed to death between Saturday night and Sunday afternoon, when their daughter Romy stumbled into the grim scene after going to check on them at their LA home.
The couple’s youngest son Nick, 32, who has a history of drug addiction and mental health problems, has since been arrested and charged with two counts of first degree murder.
Romy, 27, and her eldest brother Jake, 34, have today broken their silence about the horrific events of the past weekend.
‘Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day,’ a statement from the grieving siblings reads.
‘The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience.
‘They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends. We are grateful for the outpouring of condolences, kindness, and support we have received not only from family and friends but people from all walks of life.’
The pair asked people for ‘respect and privacy’ and urged the public to treat any speculation with ‘compassion and humanity’.
Jake and Romy said they wanted their father, a legend in Hollywood, and acclaimed photographer mother, to be remembered for the ‘incredible lives they lived and the love’ they gave.
Rob Reiner (left) pictured with his wife Michele Singer Reiner, daughter Romy, son Nick, daughter-in-law Maria Gilfillan and son Jake Reiner in September
Nick Reiner, pictured in September, was said to be ‘acting crazy’ at a party with his parents where he was bothering celebrity guests and ended up in a row with his mother and father
Reiner and his wife, a photographer, were first introduced on the set of When Harry Met Sally and married a few months later. They had three children, Nick (not pictured), Jake (left) and Romy (second to left). Romy lives with her children in a house across the street from her parents; pictured together in January 2024 in LA
Actor and director Reiner, 78, and his wife, 70, were found slain on Sunday afternoon, at which time they had likely been dead for hours, police sources said.
A source close to the investigation told the Daily Mail that they had their throats slashed and were killed in their bed.
They were found after their daughter Romy was called over by a massage therapist who had arrived at the residence for a 2pm appointment.
The masseuse was unable to get inside and called Romy, who lives across the street with a roommate, for help.
Romy opened the door and discovered the gruesome scene of her father’s lifeless body before fleeing from the home. She was so distressed that she did not notice her mother’s slain body was also in the house.
Her roommate called 911 while Romy reached out to her father’s longtime friend Billy Crystal.
Romy only learned that her mother Michele Singer Reiner was also dead when paramedics arrived and broke the grim news, according to The New York Times.
Her older brother Nick was arrested in connection with the murders later that day. He has since been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, and if convicted, could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or even the death penalty.
Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead at their $13.5million six-bed Brentwood home (pictured)
Left to right: Jake Reiner, Nick Reiner, Romy Reiner, Michele Singer Reiner and Rob Reiner pictured together last year
The statement from Romy and Jake comes after their father’s close friend Billy Crystal also broke his silence to pay tribute to the late director.
The actor, who famously worked with Reiner on When Harry Met Sally, joined friends and colleagues including Larry David, Martin Short and director Barry Levinson, among others, in praising him as ‘a great comic actor’ and ‘a master storyteller’.
‘There is no other director who has his range,’ the joint statement said. It paid homage to Reiner’s incredible film career as well as to his ‘special’ 36-year marriage to ‘perfect partner’ Michele.
