We previously reported that the former All In The Family star Rob Reiner was found dead along with his wife Michele on Sunday. They were allegedly stabbed to death by their own son Nick. He has since been arrested and charged with their double murders.
Now, insiders are revealing that Rob and Michele spent years desperately trying to save their son before he murdered them.
Reiner Family Struggles
Nick, 32, had reportedly been in rehab 18 times throughout his life, starting when he was just 15. Those close to him are alleging that on top of his battles with addiction to drugs and alcohol, Nick also struggled with reality and a sense of entitlement,
“Nick wanted to live a life that didn’t exist. He was entitled,” an insider told People Magazine. “He didn’t want to do any work but expected to be loved the way the rest of his family was.”
These struggles reportedly started from an extremely young age. Indeed, Nick’s childhood yoga instructor told Fox News that he was “just very, very intense, very hyperactive.”
Alanna Zabel, author of “A Chair in the Air,” a children’s book that was inspired by Nick’s childhood tantrums, initially began working with Michele. They then “began discussing just how much energy [Nick] had and how disruptive he was.” From there, Zabel started working with Nick on a one-on-one basis .
“I know that Rob and Michele did absolutely everything in their power, and the resources they had to address all of them,” Zabel said.
As he grew up, Nick tried to blame his addiction issues on having a famous family. Not only was he the son of Rob Reiner, he was also the grandson of Carl Reiner, the creator of The Dick Van Dyke Show.
“I had no identity, and I had no passions,” Nick said on a podcast in 2016. “And I think the reason I had no identity was because I have a famous dad and a famous grandpa, and that fame sort of informs who you are.”
“So I wanted to edge out my own identity with a more rebellious, angry, drug-addicted sort of persona,” he added at the time.
Rob Stood By His Son
Despite Nick’s struggles, Rob always stood by him.
“I was never, ever too busy,” Rob told Fresh Air back in September. “I mean, if anything, I was the other way, you know, I was more hands-on and trying to do whatever I thought I could do to help. I’m sure I made mistakes and, you know, I’ve talked about that with him since.”
Rob went on to express his belief that Nick was doing well.
“He’s been great … hasn’t been doing drugs for over six years,” Rob said. “He’s in a really good place.”
Rob and Michele were also parents to a son Jake, 34, and a daughter Romy, 27. On top of that, Rob shared an adopted daughter Tracy, 61, with his late ex-wife Penny Marshall.
“They were such a tight-knit family. They did everything together,” a source close to the family told People Magazine. Even so, “they could never reach stability with Nick. They tried everything – giving him space, keeping him close – but his struggles are so deep. It’s just a parent’s worst nightmare.”
“They were such lovely people,” this insider lamented, “and tried in every way to help their son.”
The Reiners’ Final Hours
The Reiners were last seen on Saturday night, when they attended a Christmas party with Nick that was hosted by Conan O’Brien. There, Nick was seen acting strangely, and other guests saw him get into a heated argument with Rob.
“Nick was freaking everyone out, acting crazy, kept asking people if they were famous,” a source told People Magazine.
Rob, Michele, and Nick eventually left the party together. It is believed that Nick killed them in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Later that day, a masseuse arrived at the Reiner home for a prescheduled appointment. When nobody answered the door, the masseuse called the Reiners’ 27 year-old daughter Romy, who lives across the street.
Romy was able to enter the home, only to find the body of her father. She immediately fled and told her roommate, who was waiting outside, to call the police. Romy was so distraught by the bloody scene that she didn’t notice the body of her mother. She had to be told by paramedics upon their arrival that her mother was dead as well.
Nick was apprehended around six hours later near the University of Southern California campus. By then, he had checked into a local hotel, with his room there being covered in blood.
This is clearly an extremely tragic situation for everyone involved. Please join us in saying a prayer for the Reiner family as they continue to grieve Rob and Michele.