In a shocking and tragic incident, legendary filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were discovered dead at their Los Angeles residence. The couple was reportedly stabbed to death. Their son, Nick Reiner, has been arrested and faces two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the case.
A Friend's Chilling Last Memories
Cinematographer Barry Markowitz, a close friend of the Reiners, has come forward as potentially one of the last people to see the family together before the tragedy. Markowitz recalled staying at their home, an invitation he gladly accepted. "They would say, ‘You’re staying here. You’re not going to no hotel," he told Page Six, highlighting the family's welcoming nature.
He described a scene of normalcy and warmth during his visit. The gathering included Rob, Michele, and their children Nick and Romy, while their other son, Jake, was out of town. "[We would] scream at the TV, we watched a movie and a basketball game. Played with the dogs. Family time. One big love fest," Markowitz said, specifically mentioning Romy's presence at dinner.
Nick Reiner's Seemingly Normal Behavior Before Arrest
Barry Markowitz also shared his observations of Nick Reiner, who has reportedly struggled with substance abuse since his teenage years. Remarkably, Markowitz noted that Nick "looked great" during the stay. He was actively participating in family life, engaging in conversation, eating dinner with everyone, and even helping with chores.
"He was sitting and talking with the family. They eat dinner together, old school, and a lot of love, always a lot of love," the cinematographer claimed. He detailed how Nick helped take out the garbage, washed dishes, fetched drinks, and joined in watching television. Markowitz noticed nothing out of the ordinary, describing the household atmosphere as "business as usual" with staff and secretaries coming and going.
A Heart-Wrenching Turn of Events
Concluding his recollection of the visit, Markowitz stated he had a "blast" with the family, making the subsequent news of the murders all the more devastating. The stark contrast between the loving family environment he witnessed and the brutal crime that followed has sent shockwaves through their community and the entertainment industry at large.
The investigation is ongoing, with Nick Reiner now in custody. The motive behind the alleged stabbing remains unclear as authorities continue to piece together the events that led to this horrific outcome for the renowned filmmaker and his wife.
