Michelle Obama revealed she and former President Barack Obama were scheduled to meet with director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, on Sunday night, December 14, 2025, the same evening the couple was found stabbed to death in their Brentwood, Los Angeles, home.
“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,” Michelle Obama said during an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. The former first lady’s comments came as Hollywood and political circles reeled from the shocking deaths of the filmmaker and his wife.
Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 68, were discovered with fatal stab wounds at their $13.5 million mansion in the 200 block of Chadbourne Avenue. The couple’s daughter, Romy Reiner, 28, found her parents’ bodies and contacted police at 3:40 pm. According to sources, Romy told officers that a family member “should be a suspect” and described that person as “dangerous.”
The Los Angeles Police Department arrested the couple’s son, Nick Reiner, 32, at approximately 9:15 pm on Sunday at a subway station in Exposition Park, located 15 miles from the Brentwood mansion. Nick Reiner was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and is being held without bail.
Investigators found no signs of forced entry at the home, suggesting the assailant had access to the property. The discovery sent shockwaves through the entertainment community.
The tragedy came just hours after a troubling incident Saturday night at a holiday party hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien. Nick Reiner had attended the gathering with his parents and became involved in an argument with them during the event. The confrontation drew concern from other guests at the upscale gathering.
Nick Reiner has a documented history of drug addiction and mental health issues, challenges that have affected the family for years.
Michelle Obama used her platform on Jimmy Kimmel’s show to defend the Reiners’ legacy and character, particularly in response to President Donald Trump’s controversial social media comments. Trump had claimed that Rob Reiner died from “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” a phrase the president has used to describe critics of his administration.
The former first lady said that Rob and Michele Reiner were some of the most decent, courageous people you ever want to know. She emphasized the couple’s commitment to their values and community, describing them as passionate people ready to put their actions behind what they cared about. She said they cared deeply about their family, their country, and principles of fairness and equity.
The Obamas’ friendship with the Reiners extended back many years and reflected shared values around public service and social justice. The couples moved in overlapping circles of Hollywood liberals and Democratic Party supporters, frequently appearing together at fundraisers and advocacy events.
Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel also addressed the tragedy on his program, expressing solidarity with the Reiner family and joining others in Hollywood who condemned Trump’s social media comments about the director’s death. The president’s remarks drew criticism from figures across the political spectrum, with even some Republican lawmakers calling the statements inappropriate given the circumstances.
The entertainment industry responded to the deaths with an outpouring of grief and tributes. Actors, directors, and producers who had worked with Rob Reiner over his career shared memories of his kindness, professionalism, and creative genius.
Billy Crystal, who maintained a close friendship with Rob Reiner for decades, was among those who expressed grief over the loss.
The Reiner family, in addition to Nick and Romy, requested privacy as they process the devastating loss and navigate the complex legal proceedings ahead. The case has drawn intense media attention due to Rob Reiner’s celebrity status and the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Los Angeles prosecutors will now move forward with the murder case against Nick Reiner. The charges of first-degree murder indicate prosecutors believe the killings were premeditated rather than crimes of passion. The special circumstances and weapon allegations could potentially affect sentencing if Nick Reiner is convicted.
The deaths occurred in Brentwood, an affluent neighborhood on Los Angeles’s Westside known for its celebrity residents and upscale properties. The area has been the site of several high-profile crimes over the decades, though violent incidents remain relatively rare in the community.
Michelle Obama’s appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was initially scheduled to promote other topics, but the recent tragedy overshadowed much of the discussion. Her decision to speak publicly about the Reiners reflected both her personal grief and her desire to counter what she viewed as disrespectful commentary about people she considered friends.