Billy Crystal rushed to Rob Reiner's home after he and his wife Michele were found dead, saw bodies
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Actor and comedian Billy Crystal was among the first friends to arrive at the Brentwood home of Rob Reiner on Sunday, December 14, after the director and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found brutally murdered, according to multiple reports.
Crystal, a longtime collaborator and close friend of Reiner, was later joined briefly by Larry David as police continued investigating what authorities have since confirmed as a homicide.
The developments come as Los Angeles police announced the arrest of the couple's 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, in connection with the killings, deepening shock across Hollywood and prompting an outpouring of grief from friends and colleagues.
Billy Crystal rushed to Reiners' home, reportedly saw bodies
Crystal arrived at the Reiner residence shortly after the couple's daughter, Romy Reiner, discovered the bodies and called 911, TMZ reported.
“Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ Rob and Michele’s daughter Romy called Crystal and his wife not long after she called police to report finding her parents brutally murdered inside their Brentwood home Sunday,” the outlet wrote.
“Sources with direct knowledge tell us Billy and his wife raced over to the house, and were there so quickly, one source tells us, the couple actually saw their slain friends … and wanted to say their goodbyes,” it added.
Billy Crystal and Rob Reiner shared a decades-long creative bond
Crystal and Reiner’s friendship spanned decades and multiple iconic films. Reiner directed Crystal in 'When Harry Met Sally', one of the most celebrated romantic comedies in film history. Crystal also appeared in Reiner’s 'This Is Spinal Tap' as Morty the Mime and portrayed Miracle Max in 'The Princess Bride', another Reiner-directed classic.
The pair’s professional collaboration was widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s most successful actor-director partnerships, underscoring the depth of Crystal’s connection to the slain filmmaker.
In a statement released on Monday, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed that the director and his wife were victims of homicide.
“Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery Homicide Division (RHD) announce the arrest of Nick Reiner, following the murder of Robert and Michele Reiner,” the press release said.
According to police, officers responded to a death investigation call at approximately 3.40 pm on Sunday at the Reiners’ home in the 200 block of South Chadbourne Avenue. The Robbery Homicide Division later determined the deaths were criminal in nature.
“The investigation further revealed that Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of Robert and Michele Reiner, was responsible for their deaths,” LAPD said. Nick Reiner was arrested around 9.15 pm, booked on suspicion of murder, and remains in custody without bail. The case is scheduled to be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday.
