'Dark, twisted': Nick Reiner's ex-colleague reveals troubling signs from 2014
What's the story
As the investigation into the December 14 murders of Hollywood filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, continues, new revelations have emerged about their son, Nick. A former colleague from his internship at Family Guy in 2014 has described him as a "dark, twisted" individual. The production assistant told Fox News Digital that Nick exhibited concerning behavior during their time together on the animated sitcom.
Troubling signs
'The family wanted him to succeed...'
The former colleague said, "It felt like the family wanted him to succeed, and it felt like they were constantly trying to set him up for success." "And he was just this dark, twisted, kind of rough kid." He also revealed that Nick was given a low-responsibility position on Family Guy as a favor to his father. The show's executive producers had reportedly advised letting him "just hang out," telling everyone not to let him touch anything.
Colleague's perspective
Nick's dark humor and introverted nature
The ex-colleague described Nick as a "very raw kid" with a "dark sense of humor." He added, "He was an introverted human, like he wasn't very loud. But he was also funny, and he felt very human. I remember really liking him, like I thought he was a really nice kid." He even encouraged him to pursue stand-up comedy based on his unique humor, but Nick reportedly never pursued it seriously.
Ongoing challenges
Nick's struggles with mental health and addiction
Despite finding him "very human" and sometimes funny, the ex-colleague said Nick was "not in the best mental health space" even then. He also noted that Nick had been homeless before his internship and had battled addiction. He revealed they were friends on social media, but didn't stay in close contact. After hearing about the Reiners' deaths, he almost reached out to Nick, saying he would have offered support if needed.
Legal developments
Nick's arrest and charges
Nick was arrested later on December 14 in connection with the brutal stabbing deaths of his parents at their Brentwood home. Both victims died from multiple sharp force injuries. He has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder with special allegations, which makes him eligible for severe penalties, including life imprisonment or the death penalty. The murders reportedly occurred after a heated argument between the father and son at a Christmas party hosted by Conan O'Brien the night before.