Rob Reiner’s Son Nick Reiner Seen in Gas Station Footage Before Arrest
New footage has emerged showing Nick Reiner’s behavior after his parents were killed.
A recently released video captured the 32-year-old at a gas station convenience store in Los Angeles Dec. 14 shortly before he was arrested for the murder of his parents, director Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70.
In the security camera footage, Nick can be seen walking into an ARCO station in Exposition Park on the evening of Dec. 14, just hours after the bodies of his parents were discovered in their Brentwood, Calif., home.
The screenwriter—wearing a green and black windbreaker and a baseball cap and carrying a red backpack—walked into the convenience store before quickly walking out and reentering once more, making his way to the drink section and purchasing a Gatorade. He then exited the building and can be seen walking across the street. In a follow-up video, Nick is visible in the distance on the corner across from the gas station as police arrived. He put his arms up while police took him into custody around 9:15 p.m.
Two days later, Nick was formally charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced during a Dec. 16 press conference. The charges will hold a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said during the press conference, “No decision at this point has been made with respect to the death penalty we have requested,” and emphasized that the charges are simply charges, adding, “Charges are not evidence.”
Nick has not yet entered a plea and is being represented in the case by attorney Alan Jackson.
The evening before the bodies of Rob and Michele were found, the couple had attended Conan O’Brien‘s Christmas party with Nick. During the party, he got into a heated argument with his dad and was being disruptive to guests, sources with knowledge of the situation told NBC News.
The tragedy has devastated Rob and Michele’s children Jake Reiner, 34, and Romy Reiner, 27, who broke their silence on the killings Dec. 17, sharing their appreciation for the support they’ve received.
“Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day,” they said in a statement obtained by NBC News. “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.”
Laura Cavanaugh/FilmMagic
“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,” they added. “We now ask for respect and privacy, for speculation to be tempered with compassion and humanity, and for our parents to be remembered for the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave.”
Rob’s daughter Tracy Reiner—whom he adopted during his marriage to late ex-wife Penny Marshall—shared her own reaction, telling NBC News Dec. 14, “I came from the greatest family ever. I don’t know what to say. I’m in shock.”
For a full timeline of the tragic circumstances surrounding the deaths of Rob and Michele, keep reading.
(E! and NBC News are all part of the NBCUniversal family.)
Adela Loconte/WireImage
Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner’s Son Nick Reiner Details Struggle With Drugs
Years before Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner’s tragic deaths, their son Nick Reiner shared that he struggled with addiction, even collaborating with his father on the 2015 film Being Charlie about substance abuse.
Nick explained that he had been to rehab 17 times before turning 30.
“I was homeless in Maine. I was homeless in New Jersey. I was homeless in Texas,” he told People in 2016. “I spent nights on the street. I spent weeks on the street. It was not fun.”
Two years later, Nick recalled an instance when he “wrecked” his home while high on drugs.
“I went 10 rounds in my guest house,” he shared on the Dopey podcast in 2018. “I got totally spun out on uppers—I think it was coke and something else—and I was up for days on end. I started punching out some things in my guest house.”
Laura Cavanaugh/FilmMagic
Rob Reiner and Nick Reiner Fight at Conan O’Brien’s Christmas Party on Night Before Couple Is Found Dead
The When Harry Met Sally director and his 32-year-old son got into a heated argument at Conan O’Brien’s Christmas party on Dec. 13, multiple sources at the event told People. Family friends also confirmed to the L.A. Times that Rob and Nick fought at the holiday celebration, saying that guests noticed Nick acting strangely.
Two sources with knowledge of the situation told NBC News that Nick was being disruptive at the party and interrupting conversations.
Michael Tullberg/Getty Images; Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for DIFF
Jane Fonda Says Michele & Rob Reiner Were “Happy” Night Before Deaths
Jane Fonda saw Rob and Michele the night before their tragic deaths.
“I saw them night before last looking healthy and happy,” the actress wrote on Instagram Dec. 15. “I am reeling with grief. Stunned.”
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Rob Reiner and Wife Michele Singer Reiner Are Found Dead in Their Brentwood, Calif., Home
The day after the Christmas party, the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a call of a death investigation at a home in Brentwood, Calif., at about 3:40 p.m. on Dec. 14.
“Once inside the residence, officers discovered two victims,” the LAPD said in a press release, “who were subsequently identified as Robert and Michele Reiner.”
The Robbery Homicide Division, Homicide Special Section (RHD/HSS) started an investigation into the circumstances of their deaths.
Deputy Police Chief Alan Hamilton told reporters that many family members would be interviewed, per NBC News. In addition to Nick, the couple are parents to daughter Romy Reiner and son Jake Reiner, and Rob also adopted late ex-wife Penny Marshall‘s daughter Tracy Reiner.
Rodin Eckenroth/WireImage
The Reiners’ Manner of Death Revealed as Homicide
It was determined that Rob and Michele did not die of natural causes, with a source close to the Reiner family telling NBC News that the couple appeared to have died from stab wounds.
“As a result of the initial investigation,” the LAPD said in a press release, “it was determined that the Reiners were the victims of homicide.”
Nick Reiner Seen in Gas Station Footage Before Arrest
While police investigated the case, Nick was filmed buying a Gatorade at an ARCO gas station in downtown Los Angeles near USC around 9 p.m. Dec. 14. He was wearing a green jacket, jeans and a ballcap while carrying a red backpack, as seen in footage obtained by MS NOW.
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
Nick Reiner Is Arrested on Suspicion of Murder
Minutes later, the screenwriter was taken into custody near USC.
The LAPD said their investigation determined that Rob and Michele’s son was “responsible for their deaths.”
“Nick Reiner was located and arrested at approximately 9:15 p.m.,” police said in a press release, adding as of Dec. 15, “He was booked for murder and remains in custody with no bail.”
NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images
The Obamas Had Plans to Meet With the Reiners
During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live Dec. 15, Michelle Obama revealed that she and husband Barack Obama were supposed to see Rob and Michele on the day they were found dead.
Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images/TED SOQUI/EPA/Shutterstock
Nick Reiner Hires Alan Jackson—Lawyer for Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey—as His Attorney
Two days after Nick was arrested in connection to the murder of his parents, criminal defense attorney Alan Jackson—who previously represented Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey and Karen Read—confirmed to E! News Dec. 16 that he had been hire as Nick’s attorney in the case.
Denise Truscello/Getty Images for Wynn Las Vegas
Nick Reiner’s Courthouse Absence Explained
As officials gathered at a Los Angeles courthouse Dec. 16 to announce formal charges against Nick, his attorney told reporters that the screenwriter “has not been medically cleared” to appear in front of a judge.
“Every inmate has to be medically cleared before they can be transported to court,” he explained to reporters, per MS NOW. “Hopefully, he’ll be cleared tomorrow and we can get him here.”
Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images
Nick Reiner Charged With Murder
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced on Dec. 16 that his office plans to formally charge Nick with “two counts of first-degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders.”
The D.A. also confirmed Nick will also face a “special allegation that he personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon, that being a knife” on his parents.
He added, “These charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.”
Nick was formally charged Dec. 16.
Instagram/Michele Reiner
Approximate Time of Death Revealed
Though Rob and Michele’s bodies were discovered around 3 p.m. on Dec. 14, they were likely killed around 12 hours prior, according to authorities.
The district attorney said in a Dec. 16 press release that the murders took place “in approximately the early morning hours of December 14.”
Michele Reiner/Instagram
Authorities Share Murder Weapon Details
Nick is accused of “fatally stabbing” his parents, per the D.A. press release on Dec. 16. He allegedly “personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon, a knife” in the murders.
Caroline BREHMAN / AFP via Getty Images
Nick Reiner Appears in Court
On Dec. 17, Nick appeared in court for the first time, arriving to the Los Angeles Supreme Court in a blue anti-suicide smock and shackles. He did not enter a plea to his charges during the appearance, instead agreeing to a date of Jan. 7 for the arraignment.
Michele Reiner/Instagram
Official Cause of Death Revealed
The medical examiner determined Dec. 17 Rob and Michele each died by “multiple sharp force injuries,” meaning several cuts or stabs from a sharp object.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Leave a comment