Michelle Obama has shared a chilling revelation about the night Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead in their Los Angeles home.
A Poignant Tribute on Late-Night TV
Speaking on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live, the former First Lady, 61, disclosed that she and her husband Barack Obama had been friends with the Reiners for many years and had plans to see them on the very evening of the tragedy. The couple were discovered with apparent stab wounds in their Brentwood residence on Sunday.
"We were supposed to be seeing them that night," Ms Obama stated during her emotional tribute. She praised the couple, saying, "Let me just say this, unlike some people, Rob and Michele Reiner are some of the most decent, courageous people you ever want to know." Her pointed remark was widely interpreted as a veiled criticism of former President Donald Trump.
Son Charged with Double Murder
The Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with their deaths. He was arrested approximately 14 miles from the crime scene and is currently being held without bail.
Nick Reiner did not appear in court on Tuesday as anticipated due to unspecified health reasons, according to his lawyer, Alan Jackson. He is expected to appear before a judge on Wednesday. The charges include a special allegation that he personally used a knife, a dangerous and deadly weapon. These charges could result in a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole or the death penalty.
District Attorney George Gascón's office released a statement, with spokesperson Greg Risling saying, "Their loss is beyond tragic and we will commit ourselves to bringing their murderer to justice." He added that prosecuting cases involving family members are among the most challenging and heart-wrenching due to their intimate and brutal nature.
Political Fallout and a Hollywood Legacy
The case has attracted political commentary, most notably from Donald Trump. On his Truth Social platform, the former president suggested the deaths were politically motivated, claiming they occurred "reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as Trump derangement syndrome."
Rob Reiner was a prolific Hollywood director, responsible for iconic films such as This Is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, and A Few Good Men. His son, Nick, had previously collaborated with him, co-writing the 2016 film Being Charlie. The movie was loosely inspired by Nick's own struggles with addiction and rehab, telling the story of a governor's son battling drug abuse.
The reason the Obamas ultimately did not meet with the Reiners on that fateful night remains unclear, casting a further shadow over the shocking crime that has stunned the entertainment world and beyond.
