Rob Reiner’s sister-in-law reveals how she learned of his and Michele’s murders

Martine Singer recalled the painful drive to the Reiners’ home and revealed how she is coping with the loss while continuing her work
Romy Reiner reportedly found her parents’ bodies, while Jake Reiner praised Martine Singer for supporting him and Romy after their loss (Getty Images)
Romy Reiner reportedly found her parents’ bodies, while Jake Reiner praised Martine Singer for supporting him and Romy after their loss (Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Martine Singer has revealed the devastating moment she learned that her sister, Michele, and brother-in-law, Rob Reiner, had been murdered.

Singer recalled the journey to their home as “probably the longest car ride in my life” and opened up about how she and her family have been coping with the loss.

Rob and Michele were found stabbed to death on December 14, 2025, at their $13.5 million Brentwood estate, where their son Nick Reiner lived in the guesthouse.

Nick has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and is being held in solitary confinement as he awaits trial.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 28: Rob Reiber and Michele Singer Reiner attends the 2018 White House Correspondents' Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
Rob Reiber and Michele Singer Reiner attends the 2018 White House Correspondents' Dinner at Washington Hilton on April 28, 2018 in Washington, DC (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

Martine Singer recalls learning of Reiners’ murders

Singer said a relative called her after the killings and told her, “Something terrible has happened and you gotta go over there.”

She recalled the drive to the Reiners’ home as “probably the longest car ride in my life” in an interview with ABC 7.

Singer said she has not been in communication with Nick and, when asked how she would respond if he attempted to contact her, replied, “I appreciate the question. I’m not sure I can answer that.”

Singer runs the Los Angeles nonprofit Children’s Institute, while her and Michele’s other sister, Suzanne, is a rabbi. Singer said she has managed to keep “functioning” and returned to work in January, although the loss remains constantly present in her life.

Nick Reiner appears with Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene during his arraignment in Los Angeles County Superior Court on February 23, 2026, in Los Angeles, California (Photo by Chris Torres-Pool/Getty Images)
Nick Reiner appears with Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene during his arraignment in Los Angeles County Superior Court on February 23, 2026, in Los Angeles, California (Chris Torres-Pool/Getty Images)

“But it’s always there. It’s always in my mind and in my heart,” Singer said, remembering Rob and Michele as a “forcefield” of a couple. “They were charismatic. They were funny and loud and boisterous, and the world seems very empty without them.”

Singer also shared throwback photos of herself and Michele, including one showing the sisters pregnant at the same time with their respective daughters.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 15: (L-R) Jake Reiner, Romy Reiner, Rob Reiner, and Michele Reiner attend the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Jake Reiner, Romy Reiner, Rob Reiner, and Michele Reiner attend the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

Martine Singer supports Rob Reiner’s children amid grief

Along with Nick, Rob and Michele were parents to Jake, 35, and Romy, 28. Rob was also the adoptive father of Tracy, 62, the daughter of his first wife, Penny Marshall.

Reports have claimed that Romy, who lived across the street from her parents, found their bodies in December and allegedly told police about a “dangerous” family member who “should be a suspect.”

Jake has praised Singer for stepping into a maternal role for him and Romy. “I’ll never be Michele,” Singer said. “We’re different people, and I can’t fill that hole in their lives, but I’ll do whatever I can to try to help them and support them and guide them if they want it.”

Singer previously told Extra, “I suppose you heal from a wound, but the scar is there. It’s a really hard thing to describe because it never goes away.”

She added of Jake and Romy, “Everybody in the family is healing in his or her own way. I’ll never be my sister and I can never be what’s missing in their lives, but I consider them my kids. There’s no daylight between us."

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 23: Jake Reiner attends Los Angeles premiere of HBO Original series'
Jake Reiner attends Los Angeles premiere of HBO Original series' 'Life, Larry and The Pursuit of Unhappiness' at Hollywood Legion Theater on June 23, 2026 in Los Angeles, California (Leon Bennett/Getty Images)

Nick was reportedly seen arguing fiercely with his parents at Conan O’Brien’s Christmas party the evening before their bodies were discovered.

A Daily Mail source said in July that Nick had been “rapidly deteriorating” in custody and had become “like a babbling child, totally out of it,” making it difficult for his lawyers to communicate with him.

He reportedly had no personal visitors other than his lawyers until July, when a relative visited him in the presence of his attorney.

Nick was initially represented by lawyer Alan Jackson, who successfully prosecuted Phil Spector for murder and later represented Kevin Spacey and Harvey Weinstein.

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