Nick Reiner Reportedly Had a Reputation for Violence: 'This Is Not the First Time'

As Hollywood reels from the shocking and tragic killings of famed director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, inside their California home, disturbing new details are emerging about the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

Chief among them is the identity of the alleged perpetrator: the couple’s son, Nick Reiner, who is currently in custody. According to reporting from the New York Post, those close to the family say the arrest, while horrifying, was not entirely unexpected.

The outlet spoke with neighbors and acquaintances of the Reiner family who described a long pattern of troubling behavior and alleged violence involving Nick Reiner. Several sources told the Post they “instantly knew” Nick was likely responsible when early reports surfaced that two people had been found dead at Rob Reiner’s residence.

“This is not the first time their son has been violent,’’ one longtime neighbor told the New York Post.

That same neighbor recalled a separate incident from several years ago but declined to provide details.

“I know of another incident a few years back with Nick, but I won’t say more than that,” the neighbor said. “I just never thought it would ever get to this point.”

Sources told the Post that Nick Reiner has struggled for years with drug addiction, a battle that reportedly took a heavy emotional toll on his parents.

“Rob was always heartbroken that his son couldn’t beat his addiction,” the neighbor said.

The neighbor also described ongoing disagreements within the household over how Nick should seek treatment.

“I know they wanted him to get help, go to rehab, but he wanted to get help while at home — he did not want to get treatment at a facility,” the neighbor explained. “And I know they have argued about that for years. Nick has had demons for the longest.”

The source added, “It is such a nightmare… The whole thing is a tragedy.’’

A local security guard who worked in the upscale gated community echoed those concerns, telling the New York Post that Nick’s behavior had long raised red flags.

“You could tell something was a little off with him,” the guard said. “He’s a strange individual, you know?

“You can tell he had, like, some problems with drug addiction.”

As investigators continue piecing together what led to the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner, the case is casting a grim spotlight on the devastating consequences of untreated addiction and long-simmering family turmoil.