Michelle Obama, former First Lady of the United States, recently disclosed that she and former President Barack Obama were scheduled to meet Rob and Michele Reiner on the night the couple was murdered in California. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Michelle Obama shared that she and Barack Obama had been friends with the late film director and his wife for many years.
“We’ve known them for many, many years, and we were supposed to be seeing them that night—last night—and we got the news,” Obama said on Monday night’s show. Michelle Obama tributed the couple by describing the 78-year-old film director and his 68-year-old wife as “some of the most decent, courageous people you ever want to know.”
She even defended their honor, addressing President Trump’s comments about Reiner. “They’re not deranged or crazed. What they have always been are passionate people in a time when there’s not a lot of courage going on,” she said. “They were the kind of people who were ready to put their actions behind what they cared about—and they cared about their family, and they cared about this country, and they cared about fairness and equity. That is the truth. I do know them,” the mom of two added.
What Happened to the Reiners
The Reiners were found dead in their home in Brentwood. Their 32-year-old son, Nick, was detained later that night, suspected of their murder. Hours later, the LAPD released a statement saying he was "responsible" for their deaths. Nick was booked on murder charges on Monday, December 15. “As a result of the initial investigation, it was determined that the Reiners were the victims of homicide," they said, according to multiple outlets. "The investigation further revealed that Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of Robert and Michele Reiner, was responsible for their deaths.”
The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office on December 16. Bail was initially set for $4M, but the LAPD later announced that he is being held without bail.
Who found Rob and Michele Reiner?
The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to calls on Sunday, December 14, when, reportedly, the couple’s daughter, Romy Reiner, 28, found her parents inside the home and called for help, according to PEOPLE. Nick was not at home at the time. Investigators believed that he left after the stabbing.
Sources told ABC News that the LAPD found Nick Reiner near the University of Southern California, where he was arrested.
In addition to Nick and Romy, the couple shared Jake Reiner, 34. In 1971, the filmmaker also adopted daughter Tracy Reiner, 61, after marrying the late Penny Marshall. Following their deaths, Tracy told NBC News she was with her father the day before. “I came from the greatest family ever,” she told the outlet. “I don’t know what to say. I’m in shock.”