Michelle Obama Says She and Barack Were Supposed to See Rob and Michele Reiner on the Day They Died

Michelle Obama is sharing her grief over the deaths of her longtime friends Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner.

The former first lady, 61, appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Monday, Dec. 15, where host Jimmy Kimmel asked about the couple, who were found dead in their Los Angeles home on Sunday, Dec. 14. Their son, Nick Reiner, 32, was arrested on a murder charge in connection with their deaths on Monday.

“We’ve known them for many, many years, and we were supposed to be seeing them that night, last night,” Michelle said, explaining that she and her husband, Barack Obama, had plans to meet the couple on Sunday, Dec. 14.

After news of the Reiners’ deaths broke, former President Barack Obama posted a statement on X, writing that he and Michelle were “heartbroken” and honoring Rob Reiner’s work in film and television, which he said brought audiences “some of our most cherished stories on screen.”

He also highlighted Reiner’s activism and philanthropy, adding that behind his public achievements was “a deep belief in the goodness of people—and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action.” Obama said the couple “lived lives defined by purpose” and offered condolences to those who loved them.

As the investigation unfolded, a timeline of events began to emerge.

Multiple sources said Rob and Nick Reiner had a heated argument at a Saturday night holiday party before the director and his wife were found dead the next day. One source described Nick as alarming other guests, saying he “was freaking everyone out, acting crazy,” and repeatedly asking people if they were famous.

TMZ first reported that Rob and Nick got into a “very loud argument” at the Christmas party, which was hosted by Conan O’Brien. According to TMZ, Rob and Michele then left the party after the confrontation.

The couple were later found slain in their home on Sunday, Dec. 14. They were reportedly discovered by their daughter, Romy.

Nick Reiner is being held without bail. Per ABC News, police located him near the campus of the University of Southern California roughly six hours after his parents’ bodies were discovered. He was arrested at about 9:15 p.m. local time. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a call for medical aid at the Reiners’ home around 3:30 p.m.

During her late-night appearance, Michelle also spoke about the Reiners’ character and the values she said they lived by, while appearing to push back at remarks President Donald Trump made on Truth Social about the couple’s deaths, claiming they were linked to “Trump derangement syndrome.”

“Let me just say this — unlike some people — Rob and Michele Reiner are some of the most decent, courageous people you ever want to know,” she said.

“They are not deranged or crazed,” Michelle continued. “What they have always been are passionate people in a time when there’s not a lot of courage going on. They were the kind of people who were ready to put their actions behind what they cared about. And they cared about their family and they cared about this country and they cared about fairness and equity. And that is the truth. I do know them.”