In a tragic turn of events that has shocked Hollywood, comedian Billy Crystal reportedly witnessed the bodies of his slain friends, director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele, according to a new report from TMZ. The couple was found dead in their Los Angeles-area home on Sunday afternoon, victims of an alleged double homicide for which their son, Nick Reiner, has been arrested.
A Friend's Tragic Discovery
Sources told TMZ that Billy Crystal and his wife Janice raced to the Reiner residence after receiving a call from the Reiners' daughter, Romy. She had reportedly discovered her parents' bodies and alerted authorities. The sources indicate the Crystals arrived so quickly that they saw their friends before the bodies were removed, wishing to say a final goodbye.
A neighbour speaking to ABC 7 Los Angeles described Crystal as looking like he "was about to cry" outside the mansion later that night. Comedian Larry David was also reportedly spotted at the scene, highlighting the close-knit community affected by the loss.
A Bromance Spanning Decades
The bond between Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner was deep and longstanding, originating in the 1970s on the set of the iconic CBS sitcom All in the Family. In a 2016 column for The Hollywood Reporter titled How Rob Reiner and I Built a Bromance of Four Decades, Crystal reflected on their instant connection.
"We said, 'It feels right on-stage, why don’t we just continue this in our lives?'" Crystal wrote. He praised Reiner's genial nature, intelligence, and humour. This professional partnership flourished as Reiner moved into directing, casting Crystal in This Is Spinal Tap (1984), The Princess Bride (1987), and the iconic romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally… (1989).
Crystal also shared a close relationship with Rob's father, legendary comedian Carl Reiner, who died in 2020, calling him an "uncle to me" and "a giant."
A Son Arrested, A Family in Anguish
Police arrested the Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick, late Sunday night. Prosecutors announced on Tuesday that he will be charged with two counts of first-degree murder. The scene inside the home was described by sources to TMZ as "something out of a nightmare," with the victims having suffered multiple stab wounds and their bodies in a state of rigor mortis when discovered.
Investigative reports paint a troubling picture of the hours surrounding the crime. TMZ reported that Nick and his father had a "very loud argument" at Conan O’Brien’s Christmas party on Saturday night. Early Sunday morning, around 4 a.m., Nick allegedly checked into a Santa Monica hotel. Cleaning staff later found the shower "full of blood" and blood on the bed, with the window covered by bedsheets.
Nick Reiner, a screenwriter, had a publicly documented history of substance abuse and mental health struggles. He co-wrote the 2015 film Being Charlie with his father, a project Rob Reiner said at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival was "the most satisfying experience I’ve ever had creatively" and that it "brought us closer together."
However, sources told outlets that in recent months, Rob and Michele Reiner were "at their wits' end" over their son's condition, lamenting to friends, "We’ve tried everything." Nick has retained high-profile lawyer Alan Jackson, who previously defended Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey.
The entertainment world and fans across Canada and beyond are left mourning the loss of a beloved filmmaker and his wife, while grappling with the horrifying circumstances of their deaths.
