Romy Reiner had reportedly been terrified of her brother Nick Reiner for years before the shocking double homicide that left their parents, Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer, dead.
The 78-year-old “Princess Bride” filmmaker and his 68-year-old wife were discovered fatally stabbed at their Brentwood, California, home on December 14.
Their 32-year-old son Nick has since been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Rob and Michele Reiner were found stabbed to death. Credit: Michael Stewart/Getty
Romy feared Nick was ‘dangerous’ long before tragedy struck
According to an insider, Romy, 28, had feared Nick since childhood.
“It feels like Romy has been scared of Nick since she was a child,” a source told the Daily Mail.
“Even before his drug addiction, his outbursts were frightening because they seemed to come out of nowhere.”
Romy reportedly kept her distance from her brother for years, allegedly describing him to law enforcement as “dangerous” after discovering their parents' bodies.
Though Nick wasn’t at the house when she arrived, she informed officers that he had been living there.
“She didn’t even like the idea of him living across the street from her,” the source added.
“But she knew they moved him in so they could keep a close eye on him and give him a roof over his head.”
Romy wasn’t alone in her concerns as her brother Jake, 34, reportedly shared similar fears.
Still, both siblings regularly stepped in to support their parents and Nick when needed.
“Anytime that her parents looked overwhelmed or asked for help, Romy and Jake were there for Nick. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but she never disowned Nick,” said the source.
Romy often felt 'scared' of her brother Nick. Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images.
Romy was the one who found their father’s body around 3:40 p.m. after being contacted by a massage therapist.
She didn’t initially realize her mother was also dead until paramedics arrived and found Michele in another part of the house.
“She didn’t see Nick when she found her parents. She called out his name as she knew he was the only other person there the night before,” a source told The New York Post.
Nick, who had been living in the guesthouse on the family’s property, was arrested that night about 15 miles away at a Santa Monica hotel. Staff discovered a room soaked in blood.
Nick Reiner was arrested. Credit: Laura Cavanaugh/Getty
Family’s long struggle with Nick
The Reiners had been trying to help Nick for years, enrolling him in “countless facilities” and paying for personal sober coaches.
A family friend claimed that Rob had been confiding in others about their growing concerns.
“Rob had been telling people that they’re scared for Nick and scared that his mental state was deteriorating. These poor people did everything to help this kid,” the source said, per The Mirror.
“Nick has been troubled mentally for his entire life, and they have tried everything to try and help him and been unable to," they added.
In an effort to turn things around, Rob and Nick co-wrote the 2016 film Being Charlie, loosely based on Nick’s battle with addiction.
Barry Markowitz, the cinematographer on the film, recalled, “I saw nothing but love.” He said Nick seemed receptive to support, adding, “I’d talk to him and ask him for advice, out of respect.”
Despite these efforts, Nick’s struggles continued. He went through at least 18 rehab stints and experienced periods of homelessness.
According to insiders, the parents believed their son functioned better with private coaches, but those arrangements often fell apart.
“Then Nick would get upset that the coaches were there and [the Reiners] would fire them,” a source said.
Just weeks before the murders, Nick was reportedly diagnosed with schizophrenia. A medication change allegedly made him “erratic and dangerous.”
While some close to the family believed that claim may have been exaggerated, they acknowledged he had not been acting like himself in recent months. Michele was reportedly “at her wits’ end.”
A source said Rob and Michele kept "an extra eye" on Nick during his childhood. Credit: Michael Buckner/Getty
Explosive argument days before the murders
A disturbing incident just days before the killings hinted at how tense things had become.
At Conan O’Brien’s holiday party, multiple guests reportedly witnessed a heated argument between Nick and Rob.
“When the s**t was hitting the fan, somebody said we need to call the police,” a source told the Daily Mail. “But the argument between Rob and Nick was pretty intense.”
Despite the chaos, O’Brien allegedly intervened. “Conan stepped in and said, ‘It’s my house, my party, I’m not calling the police.’ He talked them out of calling the police,” the source added.
LAPD later confirmed there were no 911 calls from the event.
Nick’s next court date is set for January 7, 2026. At his last appearance, he wore a blue suicide vest and said only, “Yes, your honour,” when asked if he waived his right to a speedy arraignment.
He faces life in prison without parole or the death penalty.