A Family Friend Speaks Out
A close friend of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner is sharing what he believes the couple would have wanted for their son, Nick Reiner, after he was charged with murdering his parents on December 14.
Nanon Williams, who has spent 34 years in prison for a murder he maintains he did not commit, formed a close relationship with the Reiners after they attended a 2016 Los Angeles performance of Lyrics From Lockdown, a one-man show inspired by his incarceration.
Williams says the relationship grew into something deeply personal, marked by years of daily emails ending with “I love you,” weekly phone calls, and repeated efforts by the Reiners to help secure his freedom.
What the Reiners Would Have Wanted for Nick
According to Williams, Rob and Michele would not have wanted their son to remain locked away without help. Nick, now 32, was diagnosed with schizophrenia years ago, something Williams says his parents openly acknowledged and worked to understand.
“They’re the type of people who would never want to see anyone suffer,” Williams explained. He believes they would have wanted Nick to receive treatment and care, even as the legal process unfolds.
Rob Reiner’s Belief in Justice
Williams says he bonded closely with Rob Reiner, noting the director’s strong sense of justice and willingness to fight systems he believed were broken. Rob often spoke about legacy, viewing it not as personal fame but as what someone gives back to others.
“He planted seeds of love,” Williams said, reflecting on the director’s outlook and values.
A Partnership Built on Love
Williams made it clear that Rob and Michele were equals in every sense. Michele was not just Rob’s partner in life, but also in purpose. Together, they embodied compassion, generosity, and hope, qualities Williams says were evident in everything they did.
Support from the Reiner Children
Williams also shared that Rob and Michele’s children, Jake Reiner and Romy Reiner, have continued to support him even while grieving their parents.
Despite facing what Williams called “the toughest moment of their lives,” the siblings reached out to reaffirm their bond with him, promising continued support and love, a reflection, he says, of the values their parents instilled in them.
