Khaberni - The case of the murder of the famous American director Rob Reiner and his wife, producer Michelle Reiner, has seen new developments after they were found stabbed to death inside their home in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, in an incident described by the police as a double homicide.
According to the British newspaper "The Sun," the couple's son, 32-year-old screenwriter Nick Reiner, who is the main suspect in the case, checked into a hotel hours after the crime occurred, where hotel staff reported that the room he stayed in was "stained with blood" when the cleaning crew entered.
According to a report published by TMZ, Nick used a credit card to check into "The Bayside Santa Monica" hotel around 4 AM on Sunday, just a few hours after a severe argument with his father during the Christmas party hosted by media personality Conan O'Brien.
Bloodstains inside the room
The report clarified that hotel employees noticed that Nick seemed in an abnormal state upon arrival, with no clear indications of his involvement in a violent dispute at that moment. However, the surprise was when he left the hotel early Sunday morning, where bloodstains were later found on the bed, and the bathroom was described as being "filled with blood."
Following this, Los Angeles homicide detectives went to the hotel, where they conducted a comprehensive examination of the room and interrogated several employees as part of the ongoing investigations.
Arrest and charges
Later on Monday, the Los Angeles Police Department formally arrested Nick Reiner and charged him with murder, stating that he is currently detained without the possibility of bail. The city's police chief, Jim McDonnell, confirmed that the suspect's case was recorded as a homicide.
The bodies of Rob Reiner (78 years old) and his wife Michelle (68 years old) were found on Sunday afternoon inside their home, discovered by their daughter Romy Reiner (28 years old), who resides in a nearby house.
The police reported that the victims were stabbed multiple times, confirming that the investigation is still open, without announcing a complete official timeline of the events so far.
Family dispute before the crime
This coincided with additional information about a violent argument between Rob Reiner and his son Nick during the Christmas party organized by media personality Conan O'Brien, attended by several Hollywood stars.
According to family sources speaking to TMZ, the couple asked to bring their son to the party to closely monitor him, given his ongoing struggles with mental health issues and drug addiction.
Sources quoted by Rolling Stone magazine indicated that Nick exhibited unsociable behaviors at the party, including staring at guests, before matters escalated to a major altercation with his father, drawing the attention of those present.
The reports added that Rob and Michelle had been facing difficulties in dealing with their son's condition for months, amid his worsening mental state and continued drug use, causing constant tension within the family.
Background about the suspect
Nick Reiner is known for his long history with addiction, having openly discussed undergoing multiple treatment experiences and reaching a point of homelessness at one time.
He also collaborated with his father in 2015 on a semi-autobiographical film titled Hey Charlie, which dealt with a famous father's relationship with his addicted son, a experience Rob Reiner said at the time reopened painful personal wounds.
A distinguished artistic career
Rob Reiner is one of Hollywood's most prominent filmmakers, famous for his role in the series All in the Family, before turning to directing and delivering standout works, including This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, and When Harry Met Sally, as well as co-founding "Castle Rock Entertainment," producer of the series Seinfeld and the film The Shawshank Redemption.
Investigations continue to uncover the circumstances of the crime and its motives, awaiting the outcomes of the legal proceedings in the coming days.
