Rob Reiner Mourns After Son Nick Charged With Murder of Parents

In a shocking turn of events, Hollywood director Rob Reiner is mourning the loss of his son Nick, who has been charged with the murder of his parents.

The Film

The 2015 film Being Charlie was directed by Rob Reiner and co‑written by his son. It is based on Nick’s experience with addiction and homelessness. Douglas Shaffer, an executive producer brought on through a production company, says the movie was made by Reiner as a way of bonding with his son.

“He made that movie for Nick. That was like his love letter to him because I think he felt he wanted to help him,” said Shaffer. “He wanted to bond with him more, but he also wanted to help him in his film career and he you know, through the process of making the movie, he wanted to kind of understand more what Nick was going through.”

Shaffer was shooting another film at the time and therefore was not deeply involved in Being Charlie, but he recalls Reiner as approachable and open to different ideas. During a private screening, Reiner described the movie as the best working experience of his life.

“He said because he got to work with his kid, he was so proud of his son and things like that. I was just like, God, I have so much respect for this guy. Because again, he did this all for his kid,” said Shaffer.

The Tragedy

The son of Rob and Michele Reiner was taken into custody in Exposition Park after the parents’ bodies were found on Sunday. Keenan Willard reports for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.

When Shaffer first heard that Nick was suspected of the murder, he was shocked. “I mean, when I first heard, I thought it might’ve been like a home invasion thing,” said Shaffer. “And I think that’s just got to be kind of mind‑blowing to see that act of violence come out of him. I just didn’t see it coming.”

Nick Reiner has spoken publicly about his struggles with drug addiction, which began in his teens. He told People in an interview in 2016 that he cycled in and out of treatment facilities with bouts of homelessness and relapses in between.

Shaffer believes Rob did everything he could to understand and support his son. “There’s only so much outside forces can do and I think with Rob and Nick, I think Rob was doing everything he could to try to help him,” said Shaffer. “And I think that’s the tragedy of it, is the parents love their child unconditionally and then you have something so tragic.”

The Legal Proceedings

Nick Reiner, who was arrested Sunday, made a brief court appearance Wednesday but did not enter a plea on the two counts of first‑degree murder he faces in the killing of his parents. His attorney, Alan Jackson, told the court it was “too early” to enter a guilty or not guilty plea and agreed to delay the arraignment until Jan. 7, 2026.

During the short hearing, Nick appeared from behind the glass wall of a custody area in shackles and wearing a jail suicide prevention smock. He only said “yes, your honor” when Judge Theresa McGonigle asked if he understood he had the right to a speedy trial.

Reflections

Shaffer’s comments underscore the complexity of a father’s love and the tragic outcome of a son’s violent act. He stresses that Rob’s efforts to bond and support Nick through filmmaking were sincere, yet the circumstances that led to the murder remain a painful paradox for the family and the film’s legacy.

Key Takeaways

• Rob Reiner mourns his son Nick, who is charged with murdering his parents.
• The 2015 film Being Charlie was a father‑son project aimed at bonding and understanding Nick’s struggles.
• Nick faces two counts of first‑degree murder; arraignment postponed to Jan. 7, 2026.

The case continues to unfold as the legal process proceeds, while the Reiner family grapples with the loss and the impact on their public and personal lives.