Bill Hader ‘horrified’ as tense chat with Nick Reiner overshadows Rob and Michele's deaths
BRENTWOOD, LOS ANGELES: Actor and Comedian Bill Hader was seen for the first time on Tuesday, December 16 since his tense encounter with Nick Reiner on December 13 at Conan O’Brien’s Christmas party.
Nick was arrested later that day and charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner.
The 47-year-old comedian appeared strained and tense while pacing during a phone call in Los Angeles on Tuesday.
Bill Hader and Nick Reiner's tense encounter
A source told the Daily Mail that Hader 'is horrified' and 'extremely sad' over the death of Rob and his wife Michele and 'doesn’t want to be connected to this story,' expressing his deep sorrow and desire to stay out of the public focus.
Insiders also revealed that Hader is declining to speak publicly about his encounter with Nick.
An insider added, “Bill doesn’t want this tragedy to be made about him, and any disagreement he may have had with Nick, Bill is refusing to talk about it.”
The source further detailed that hours before the murders, Nick allegedly 'stormed off' from the holiday party following a tense interaction with Hader.
“Bill, like everyone who saw Rob and Michele at the party, is horrified over what happened and is extremely sad that what went down, actually went down,” it said.
"With total respect for Rob and Michele and their family, Bill is not going to talk about his interaction with Nick publicly" it added further.
Source also said Hader 'doesn't want to be connected to this story over a few minute interaction at a party that was meant to be fun and festive.'
Nick and Rob were arguing loudly at the party
Reports from the party described a 'very loud argument' between Rob and Nick.
A source told NBC News that Nick allegedly interrupted Hader at the party and was allegedly left annoyed when the comic told him he was 'in the middle of a private conversation'.
Following Hader's alleged comment, 'Nick just stood there and stared before storming off.'
Guests at the event noted Nick’s antisocial behavior, including staring at attendees and repeatedly asking if people were famous.
The late couple's daughter Romy, who lives across the street from their home, made the grim discovery of their dead bodies the following afternoon.
Police found blood throughout a nearby motel room where Nick had checked in, with the shower full of blood, the bed covered in blood, and windows blacked out with bedsheets.
His first court hearing was scheduled for Tuesday at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, but got delayed because he was not medically cleared for transfer from jail to the courthouse, according to his attorney, Alan Jackson.