Reiners’ Tragic Night: Dinner Nearby Hours Before Murders as Investigation Focuses on Son

A high-profile murder investigation unfolded in Los Angeles over the weekend after film director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, were found slain in their Brentwood home. The couple’s throats were slit, and their bodies were discovered Sunday afternoon after authorities concluded they had likely been dead for several hours. Their son, Nick Reiner, 32, was arrested within hours and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Investigators indicated the killings occurred in the early hours of Sunday, not long after Rob Reiner and Nick had attended comedian Conan O’Brien’s holiday party on Saturday, with Nick in tow. Authorities have not publicly discussed a motive, and officials cautioned that the investigation remains active as more details emerge. Nick Reiner is being held without bail on suicide watch at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles, with doctors monitoring his well-being as investigators pursue leads.

Less than 48 hours before the double slaying, the Reiner family shared a festive dinner at a nearby Italian restaurant, Amici, according to restaurant owner Tancredi DeLuca. In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, DeLuca said Rob, 78, and Michele, 70, dined there with longtime family friend Maria Shriver on Friday, December 12. The trio reportedly enjoyed Amici’s winter special, Sogliola Alla Mugnaia, Dover sole in a lemon-caper sauce served with broccolini and roasted potatoes, along with pasta. DeLuca described the couple as “very good people, always very approachable and kind to the entire staff.” They were regulars at Amici, often ordering their favorite artichoke salad and were known for their warmth and down-to-earth friendliness.

The night before the restaurant outing, the Reiners were photographed as regulars around greater Brentwood’s dining scene. Yet across the street from Amici sits the Sinclair gas station, where surveillance cameras reportedly captured Nick walking late Saturday night. Sinclair staff described him as drained and abnormal in the days leading up to the killings, a marked shift from the previously talkative, friendly demeanor described by staff who said he often lingered to chat during visits. Police have not publicly described a link between the gas station sighting and the weekend events, but investigators have noted the proximity of the location to Amici and the timing of Nick’s presence in the area. The Reiners were seen as caring neighbors and devoted parents, and Amici’s staff emphasized that the couple maintained gracious, approachable dispositions in public.

In September, Rob Reiner publicly discussed his son’s recovery, telling NPR’s Fresh Air, “He’s been great,” and adding that Nick hadn’t “been doing drugs for over six years.” He described Nick as “in a really good place.” Those statements stand in contrast to the current charges against Nick, who remains in custody as the investigation continues. Authorities have stressed that they are pursuing all potential leads and have not released a motive. The family has not spoken publicly beyond brief tributes and statements of grief.

The investigation took a sharper turn when Nick’s sister, Romy Reiner, reportedly told police her brother could be dangerous and should be considered a suspect. By Tuesday, law enforcement sources indicated Rob and Michele had likely been dead for several hours before their bodies were discovered at approximately 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Officials described the couple as having died from stab wounds, with their throats slashed. A source close to the investigation told the Daily Mail that the couple may have been in bed together and asleep when the attack occurred.

Tributes from Maria Shriver followed the tragedy. In a social media post, she called Rob and Michele “among my closest friends,” recalling how they “raised our kids together” and emphasizing the couple’s devotion to family and public service. She noted the shock of the loss and condemned harsh responses from some public figures who offered condolences or used the tragedy to criticize others. Shriver wrote that Rob and Michele would have urged restraint, adding that the family’s grief was “unimaginable.”

As investigators press forward, officials have emphasized that there is no confirmed motive and that details of the family’s final hours are still under review. The public awaits further updates on the case as detectives examine surveillance footage, financial records, and communication logs for any information that could illuminate what happened in the early hours of Sunday. The Reiners’ public representatives have not provided additional comments beyond condolences to friends and supporters, while the broader community processes the impact of the sudden loss of a prominent filmmaker and his life partner.