Rob Reiner's Close Friend Recalls Final Family Gathering With Nick Before Murder, Didn't Notice 'Anything Strange'

A close friend of filmmaker Rob Reiner has shared his account of a recent visit to the Reiner household, describing a scene of 'normalcy' and 'a lot of love' just weeks before the director and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were killed.

Cinematographer Barry Markowitz's perspective offers a jarring contrast to the emerging narrative of a deeply troubled family, as Rob and Michele's son, Nick Reiner, faces charges for their murder. The case has drawn global scrutiny, with conflicting accounts now surfacing about the family's internal dynamics.

Barry Markowitz Recalls Final 'Normal' Gathering With The Reiners

Markowitz, a close confidant of the late director, recounted the time he was with the Reiners before the double murder. Speaking to Page Six, Markowitz said he was 'one of the last people' to see Rob and Michelle because he was at their family residence weeks before the incident.

Rob reportedly reached out to him after learning he was in town for the premiere of his latest movie, The Perfect Gamble. The Princess Bride director convinced him to stay with them rather than in a hotel where 'there's no fridge, good toilet paper, no family.'

During the visit, Markowitz saw Nick with his parents, and he appeared to be 'on the upswing.' In fact, based on his observation, Nick and his parents were doing well.

'He looked great. He was sitting and talking with the family,' Markowitz said of Nicky's dynamic with his parents. 'They eat dinner together, old school, and a lot of love, always a lot of love.'

According to the cinematographer, Nick would step out to play tennis or 'shoot hoops' and was always present during dinner. He also helped with household chores, such as taking out the garbage and washing dishes, and watched television with the family.

'He'd bring me something to drink. He was just normal in that sense,' Markowitz added.

Overall, Markowitz said the atmosphere was normal, and he did not see 'anything strange.' There were no signs that a grim event involving the family would occur weeks later.

Rob Reiner's Tumultuous But Devoted Relationship With Nick

The bond between the father and son, Rob and Nick, was professionally documented in the 2015 film Being Charlie, a project that mirrored Nick's real-life battles with substance abuse. Rob often spoke of the 'tough love' approach they were forced to take after Nick underwent 17 stints in rehabilitation facilities. Despite the friction, as a family, they were able to maintain their relationship with Rob, believing his son had been sober for years.

In an interview with NPR in September, Rob proudly shared his son's progress, saying he was 'in a really good place.'

'He's been great ... hasn't been doing drugs for over six years,' Rob said of Nick.

However, resurfaced interviews suggest a darker undercurrent of resentment that Nick held toward his father's immense professional shadow. In past conversations, Nick admitted to a history of volatile outbursts, once laughing as he recalled destroying his parents' guest house while 'spun out' on stimulants.

Experts suggest this deep-seated anger may have been suppressed during the family's recent periods of reconciliation, only to resurface with lethal consequences.

Heated Confrontations and Chaos in the Hours Before the Murder

Although Markowitz did not notice anything suspicious during his stay with the Reiners, his account of their peaceful dynamic differed from the reports that made headlines when the family attended Conan O'Brien's holiday gathering on 13 December. Multiple witnesses saw Rob and Nick in a tense and 'very loud argument.'

Due to their dispute and Nick's disruptive behaviour, his parents left the party early. According to guests, Nick's behaviour was erratic, and he was reportedly 'freaking everyone out' by acting crazy and asking them if they were famous.

The following day, the Los Angeles Fire Department received a call for medical aid, and they arrived at a property with two individuals dead—a man and a woman—who were later identified as Rob and Michele. Sources told People that Nick was behind the murder and that he killed his parents. He is being charged with two counts of first-degree murder.