← Crime House 24/7
Crime House 24/7
Nick Reiner Pleads Not Guilty in Parents’ Stabbing Deaths | Crime House 24/7
00:27:56
Loading summary
Transcript15 lines
- [00:02]
Vanessa Richardson
Hi, it's Vanessa. If you're drawn to true crime stories about disappearances, there's a new Crime House original you should check out. It's called the Final Hours, hosted by Sarah Turney and Courtney Nicole. Sarah's an advocate for missing and murdered victims whose own sister disappeared in 2001. And Courtney is a true crime storyteller who's seen firsthand how crime can change a family forever. Together, they bring lived experience to every case, examining the moments just before a person disappears. The routines, the timelines, the small details that often get overlooked because every disappearance has a moment where everything still feels normal until it doesn't. Listen to and follow the final hours on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every Monday. Foreign.
- [01:02]
Ad Voice
This is Crime House.
- [01:06]
Vanessa Richardson
Good morning everyone. We have multiple breaking true crime cases this morning that you need to know about, and we're starting with the biggest one. Nick Reiner has pleaded not guilty to murdering his parents, legendary director Rob Reiner, and Michelle Singer Reiner, a case that could bring life in prison if he's convicted. This is crime house 24 7, your non stop source for the biggest crime cases developing right now. Make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Vanessa Richardson and we have quite a lineup for you today. Here's what you need to know.
- [01:46]
Ad Voice
This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Whether you love true crime or comedy, celebrity interviews or news, you call the shots on what's in your podcast queue. And guess what? Now you can call them on your auto insurance too. With the name your Price tool from Progressive. It works just the way it sounds. You tell Progressive how much you want to pay for car insurance and they'll show you coverage options that fit your budget. Get your quote today@progressive.com to join the over 28 million drivers who trust Progressive, Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates Price and Coverage Match Limited by state law.
- [02:19]
Vanessa Richardson
On February 23, Nick Reiner pleaded not guilty to two counts of first degree murder in the deaths of his parents, acclaimed Hollywood director Rob Reiner, and his wife Michelle Singer Reiner, during an arraignment hearing in Los Angeles county superior court. The 32 year old is accused of fatally stabbing his 78 year old father and 70 year old mother inside their Brentwood home in the morning of December 14, 2025. Prosecutors Prosecutors alleged the violence followed an argument that began after the family attended a holiday gathering at the home of television host Conan o'. Brien. According to court filings and statements from law Enforcement Nick Rob and Michelle Reiner returned to their residence late that night. Authorities allege that sometime after midnight, a dispute escalated inside the home. Prosecutors contend that Nick Reiner stabbed both of his parents multiple times inside the master bedroom. Approximately 12 hours later, the couple's daughter, 28 year old Romy Reiner, went to the house after being unable to reach them by phone inside the bedroom. She found both parents unresponsive and called 911. Los Angeles Police Department officers responded and determined the deaths were homicides. Police quickly identified Nick Reiner as the primary suspect after determining he'd been at the home earlier that night. In the evening of December 14th, officers located and arrested him near a gas station in South Los Angeles. Reiner first appeared in court on December 17, 2025, three days after the killings. During that appearance, he waived his right to a speedy arraignment, postponing the formal entry of a plea. The February 23rd proceeding marked the first time he responded directly to the charges in court. Reiner entered not guilty pleas to both counts through his attorney, Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Green. His previous private attorney, Alan Jackson, known for representing high profile clients such as Karen Reed, Kevin Spacy and Harvey Weinstein, withdrew from Reiner's case prior to the arraignment. Court records do not specify the reason for the change in representation and Reiner has remained in custody without bail since his arrest. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has charged Reiner with two counts of first degree murder. Under California law, first degree murder carries a sentence of 25 years to life per count if convicted. Prosecutors have not yet announced whether they intend to pursue special circumstance allegations. If those are filed and proven, Reiner could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or potentially the death penalty. The arraignment was brief and procedural. Reiner appeared composed and spoke minimally as the pleas were entered. Members of the media filled the courtroom, underscoring the national attention surrounding the case. Authorities have not released additional details. Details about the weapon beyond confirming the deaths were the result of stabbings. Law enforcement officials have characterized the incident as an isolated domestic event confined to the residents and have emphasized there is no ongoing threat to the public. Rob Reiner's prominence has amplified public interest in the case. His decades long directing career includes films such as the Princess Bride and When Harry Met Sally. His wife, Michelle Singer. Reiner was a photographer and advocate who supported charitable and creative initiatives in the days following their deaths. Tributes from colleagues across the entertainment industry described Rob Reiner as a filmmaker whose work helped shape Modern American Cinema. Friends and neighbors in Brentwood expressed shock at the violence in a neighborhood known for its privacy and relative quiet. Nick Reiner has previously spoken publicly about his struggles with substance abuse, and he collaborated with his father on the 2005 film the Thing About My Folks, a project that drew in part from their own complicated father son dynamic. Reporting over the years has noted that he faced addiction challenges and periods of rehabilitation. However, prosecutors have not publicly outlined a specific motive in the case beyond stating that the fatal confrontation followed a family dispute. Investigators have not indicated whether any prior family tensions are directly connected to the allegations now before the court. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 29. At that hearing, prosecutors must establish probable cause that Nick Reiner committed the crimes charged. If the judge finds sufficient evidence, the case will proceed toward trial in Los Angeles County Superior Court. As that battle begins in Los Angeles, another courtroom across the country is preparing for a high profile proceeding involving a Massachusetts mother charged in the deaths of her three young children. A mother in Massachusetts was charged for allegedly killing her three children in 2023. Now the case is getting closer to a trial. For the first time since being charged, Lindsay Clancy appeared in court in person on Friday, February 20. The case has drawn national attention and sparked debate about maternal mental health, postpartum depression and criminal responsibility. Clancy, now 35 years old, is charged with killing her three children inside the family's Duxbury, Massachusetts home on January 24, 2023. Prosecutors allege she strangled five year old Kora, three year old Dawson and eight month old Callen in the basement of their home on Summer street and subsequently jumped out of a window in an attempt to take her own life. The alleged suicide attempt left Clancy paralyzed from the sternum down and wheelchair bound. Clancy pleaded not guilty to the murder and strangulation charges on February 7, 2023. During her arraignment, prosecutors, however, alleged that Clancy planned the killings. According to court documents, on the evening of January 24, 2023, Lindsay Clancy sent her husband, Patrick Clancy, out of the home to pick up takeout food and medication. Prosecutors say that after he left, Clancy strangled each of the three children in the basement of the family's Summer Street. When Patrick Clancy returned home, prosecutors say he found his wife after she had jumped from the second floor window and while on the phone with emergency dispatch, he found the children unresponsive. The three children were transported to local hospitals but later died from their injuries. An investigation followed and Clancy was charged with the murders of her children. Since her arrest, Clancy's defense has centered on her mental health status leading up to the deaths her during Clancy's 2023 arraignment, Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Sprague said that, quote, the defendant stated that after he, her husband left the house that night, she killed the kids because she heard a voice and had a, quote, moment of psychosis, end quote. Defense attorneys have said she was suffering from severe postpartum depression and postpartum psychosis at the time of the killings. In court filings, her attorneys have referenced medical records and Clancy's treatment history in the weeks leading up to children's deaths and in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by her husband Patrick in January 2026, he alleges that Clancy was over medicated to the point that she was hearing voices. The lawsuit, filed against multiple doctors and medical professionals that treated his wife, alleges that her providers failed to diagnose bipolar disorder and prescribed what the complaint describes as a disorganized, uncoordinated course of poly pharmacy that led to a psychotic break. According to the lawsuit, Clancy was prescribed at least nine medications in the months before she allegedly killed her children, including Prozac, Ambien, Remeron, Klonopin, Seroquel, Valium and Lamictal. Eight of the medications were prescribed over the course of just three weeks between November 16, 2022 and December 5, 2022. In the court documents, Patrick Clancy also alleges that prior to the alleged murder, quote, lindsay sought medical treatment, anxiety and increasingly poor and deteriorating mental health condition, end quote. In December, Clancy's attorney filed notice of an intent to pursue an insanity defense. Prosecutors, however, have argued there is evidence of planning and claim she did not suffer from postpartum depression during the 2023 arraignment. Prosecutors rejected Clancy's attorney's claims that she was a, quote, zombie who had been over medicated with antidepressants and other psychiatric drugs. According to investigators, the recovered Internet search history from Clancy's phone included queries about methods of suicide and information about strangulation. She was initially treated at a Boston hospital following her fall and later transferred to Tewksbury State Hospital for mental health evaluation and continued care. Clancy's been held without bail, and court records indicate she's undergone competency evaluations as the case has proceeded through pre trial hearings. Friday's appearance was procedural, addressing scheduling and motions. Clancy is set to appear back in court March 2 for another motion hearing and after being postponed multiple times, her murder trial date is expected to start July 20th of this year. While this complex case inches closer to a trial Another headline is emerging from Ohio where a former American Idol contestant has been charged with murdering his wife. Foreign.
- [12:29]
Ad Voice
What's going on? We haven't worked a case in years. I just bought my car at Carvana and it was so easy. Too easy. Think something's up? You tell me. They got thousands of options, found a great car at a great price, and it got delivered the next day. It sounds like Carvana just makes it easy to buy your car, Hank. Yeah, you're right. Case closed.
- [12:51]
Vanessa Richardson
Buy your car today on Carvana. Delivery fees may apply.
- [12:57]
Ad Voice
Confronting high credit card debt can feel scary. But the good news is if you owe $10,000 or more in credit card debt, financial relief options are now available. National Debt Relief is currently offering debt relief designed to reduce what you owe and put you on the fast track to becoming debt free. If you qualify for debt relief, you may be able to pay back less than what you owe and save thousands of dollars. Just visit National Debt Relief. Imagine only paying one low monthly program payment you can afford and saving money as you become debt free. National Debt Relief has already helped bring debt relief to over 550,000 US consumers, earning thousands of five star reviews and an A rating with the Better Business Bureau. You're stronger than your credit card debt. Let today be the day you start turning things around. Take the first step and visit nationaldebtrelief.com to see what debt relief you may qualify for. That's national debt relief.com an update now
- [13:53]
Vanessa Richardson
to a case we reported on last week. What was initially investigated as a home invasion has resulted in a murder charge. The husband of a beloved middle school volleyball coach who was fatally shot early last week, has been arrested and charged with her murder. On February 20, 39 year old Caleb Flynn appeared before a judge and entered a not guilty plea in connection with the death of his wife, 37 year old Ashley Flyn. A judge set his bond at $2 million and as of this recording, Flynn remains in custody pending further hearings. The investigation began Feb. 16 when police responded to a 911 call from the couple's home in Tip City, Ohio, a community north of Dayton. In audio released this week, Flynn can be heard telling dispatchers, quote, somebody broke into my home and shot my wife. My wife, she's got two shots to her head. There's blood everywhere, end quote. I Flynn also told dispatchers that the door leading to the garage door was, quote, wide open, end quote. When officers arrived at the residence, they found Ashley Flynn suffering from two gunshot wounds to her head. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Flynn was a volleyball coach at Tipa Canoe Middle School, and the school district said she was also a substitute teacher and a former TIP City schools teacher. Authorities have not publicly detailed what investigators believe occurred inside the home prior to the shooting and no been disclosed. On February 19, Flynn was taken into custody and booked into jail on charges of murder, two counts of felonious assault and tampering with evidence, though they have not yet outlined in court what specific evidence led to those allegations. In the days after Flynn's death, there were initial reports that investigators described the case as an apparent home invasion, and TIP City Police Chief Greg Atkins told CBS affiliate reporting that authorities believe Flynn was killed during a burglary. Go Police told reporters on the scene that day that there were signs of forced entry. According to court documents, Flynn allegedly led officers astray in their investigation of the murder and made it seem like the home had been burglarized. In 2013, Flynn was a contestant on season 12 of the Talent competition show American Idol and talked about his love for his wife during a hometown interview segment. Ashley Flynn's family has publicly expressed devastation over her death and asked for privacy as they grieve while also thanking investigators for their work. Neighbors in the Tipp City community described shock at the violence, saying incidents of this magnitude are rare in the area. Additional court proceedings are expected in the coming weeks, including a preliminary hearing scheduled for Feb. 26 when prosecutors begin presenting the framework of their case and the defense prepares its response. As investigators continue working to piece together what happened inside that Ohio home, we turn now to developing concerns beyond US Borders. Americans abroad are facing urgent safety warnings after a major cartel leader's death sparked unrest in Mexico. On February 22, the US Department of State issued shelter in place warnings for Americans in several areas of Mexico following a major military operation targeting targeting the Jalisco New Generation cartel, known as the cjng. The alert applies to the state of Jalisco, home to popular tourist destinations including Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara and Chapala. US Officials urged American citizens in affected areas to remain indoors, avoid travel, monitor local media and follow instructions from Mexican authorities. The warning comes after Mexican security forces carried out an operation that resulted in the reported killing of senior cartel leader Neo Ruben Oera Cervantes, widely known as el Meno, on February 22. The CJNG is considered one of the most powerful and heavily armed criminal organizations in Mexico. U.S. authorities have designated the cartel as a major transnational criminal organization, citing its role in fentanyl trafficking, large scale methamphetamine production and extreme violence across multiple regions. Federal officials have said the group generates billions of dollars ann through international drug distribution networks. Following the operation, supporters of El Mencho created blockades and vehicle burnings in west Mexico intended to impede the movement of government forces and create chaos. In the aftermath of the operation, videos circulating on social media showed smoke rising from highways and military personnel deployed across urban areas prompted heightened concern for both residents and travelers. The U.S. embassy and consulates in Mexico said they're closely monitoring the situation and may adjust travel guidance as conditions evolve. While no widespread attacks targeting tourists have been confirmed, officials emphasized that cartel retaliation can be unpredictable and advised Americans to exercise increased caution as security operations continue in Mexico. U.S. officials say they will reassess the situation in the coming days to determine whether additional restrictions or advisories are necessary.
- [19:32]
Ad Voice
Build something you can be proud of there's something incredibly satisfying about learning something new and actually watching your progress build over time. That's what I love about Rosetta Stone. You don't have to dive in for hours. You start small, fit lessons into your day and suddenly you're understanding more than you thought you would. Rosetta Stone has been the trusted leader in language learning for over 30 years and their immersive, intuitive method really stands out. There's no memorizing random vocabulary lists and no feeling lost. You learn naturally, starting with words, building to phrases, and then full sentences without English translations so it actually sticks. Plus, Rosetta Stone offers 25 languages from Spanish and French to German and Japanese, all designed for long term retention. Don't wait, unlock your language learning potential. Now. Listeners of this podcast can grab Rosetta Stone's lifetime membership for 50% off. Off that's unlimited access to 25 language courses for life. Visit RosettaStone.com RS10 to get started and claim your 50% off today. Go to RosettaStone.com RS10 and start learning today.
- [20:42]
My day kicks off with a refreshing Celsius energy drink, then straight to the gym pre K pickup back home to meal prep. Time for my fire station shift. One more Celsius. Gotta keep the lights on when the three alarm hits.
- [20:54]
I'm ready.
- [20:55]
Celsius Live Fit. Go grab a cold, refreshing Celsius at your local retailer or locate now@celsius.com
- [21:05]
Vanessa Richardson
if you're drawn to true crime stories about disappearances, there's a new crime house show for you to check out. It's the new Crime House Original series the Final Hours, hosted by Sarah Turney and Courtney Nicole. Sarah is an advocate for missing and murdered victims whose owners own sister disappeared in 2001, and Courtney is a true crime storyteller and investigator who witnessed firsthand how crime can change a family forever. Together, they bring lived experience to every case, looking not only at what happened, but what led up to it. Each episode examines the moments just before a person disappears, the routines, the timelines, and the small details that often get overlooked. Because every disappearance has a moment where everything still feels normal. A text that doesn't raise concern, a routine that goes unchanged, a door that closes just like it always has. Until it doesn't. The final hours puts those moments under a microscope, because when it comes to justice, there's no such thing as overanalyzing. Listen to and follow the final hours on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen. New episodes every Monday. Before you go, let me tell you about what's happening over at Crime House today. Murder True Crime Stories is covering one of the most heartbreaking cases in music history, the murder of Selena Quintanilla Perez, a young superstar whose life and career were cut short at their peak. Pop stars live in a strange and often fragile space between admiration and intrusion. Their faces are everywhere. Their voices become part of daily life. Fans feel like they know them. But visibility is not the same thing as protection. Fame creates devotion. It creates access. And sometimes it creates danger. When crime touches the life of a pop star, it reverberates far beyond one city or one family. It becomes global. It becomes cultural. It forces people to confront the reality that talent and success do not insulate anyone from violence. Before you head over to our full deep Dive episode on the murder of Selena Quintanilla Perez, here are five other pop music crime cases that shocked the world and revealed the darker edge of celebrity. Number one the murder of John Lennon On December 8, 1980, John Lennon returned to his apartment building, the Dakota in New York City. He'd spent the recording sessions. Earlier that evening. He had signed an autograph for a fan waiting outside. Hours later, as Lenon and his wife, Yoko Ono, approached the building entrance, that same man stepped forward and fired multiple shots. Mark David Chapman had traveled to New York with the specific intent to kill Lenon. He carried a copy of the Catcher in the Rye and reportedly saw the act as a statement against what he perceived as Lenin's hypocrisy. The killing stunned the world. Lennon was not just a former Beatle he was a global symbol of music activism and cultural change. His murder transformed how celebrities approached personal security and forced a reckoning about obsessive fandom. Chapman did not flee. He remained at the scene and was arrested calmly. The crime remains one of the most defining celebrity murders of the 20th century, rooted not in robbery or rage, but in fixation. Number two, the murder of Christina Grimmie. Christina Grimmie represented a new generation of pop stardom. She built her audience on YouTube, connecting directly with fans before becoming a finalist on the Voice. Her career was built on accessibility and authenticity. On June 10, 2016, after performing in Orlando, Grimmy stayed to meet fans at a merchandise table. That accessibility was part of who she was as an artist. A man approached her during the meet and greet and shot her at close range. He'd traveled from another state and was armed with multiple weapons. Investigators later determined he'd developed an obsessive fixation on Grimmy through social media. Her brother tackled the shooter before he took his own life. The crime sent shockwaves through the music community. It exposed the vulnerability artists face in an era where digital intimacy can blur boundaries. The very qualities that build modern pop careers, openness, direct connection, constant presence can also create dangerous proximity. Grimmy's death remains one of the most painful examples of how admiration can turn into something far darker. Number three, the death of Tupac Shakur. Tupac Shakur was one of the most influential artists of the 1990s, a figure whose music crossed from hip hop into global pop culture. On September 7, 1996, after attending a boxing match in Las Vegas, Tupac Pak was shot in a drive by attack while sitting in a car. He died six days later from his injuries. The murder became one of the most infamous unsolved crimes in music history for decades. Theories multiplied. Rivalries were dissected endlessly. The East Coast west coast narrative consumed media coverage for years. The absence of accountability only deepened the myth around his death. In 2023, a suspect was finally charged in connection with the shooting, reopening national convers conversations about how long justice can take in high profile cases. Tupac's killing highlighted how fame can amplify existing tensions and place artists in volatile environments. His death reshaped the music industry and cemented the idea that celebrity does not shield anyone from violence tied to reputation, rivalry or power. Number four, the assault on Rihanna by Chris Brown. Not every pop star crime case involves a stranger or an obsessed fan. Sometimes the threat comes from within a relationship. In February 2009, singer Rihanna was assaulted by her then boyfriend, Chris Brown, the night before the Grammy Awards. The attack left her with visible injuries and leaked photographs quickly spread worldwide. Brown later pleaded guilty to felony assault. The case became one of the most visible examples of intimate partner violence in celebrity culture. It forced difficult conversations about accountability, victim blaming, and how fame complicates public perception of abuse. Rihanna's decision to continue her career publicly and later speak about resilience and boundaries shifted the narrative from scandal to survival. The case remains significant not because of spectacle, but because it exposed how violence can exist behind polished public images. Number five the Murder of Valentine Elisald Valentine Elizalde, known as El Gallo de Oro or the Golden Rooster, was a major figure in regional Mexican music. His performances drew massive crowds, and his songs often reflected the realities of life in cartel dominated regions. In November 2006, after performing at a concert in Reynosa Damulipas, Elizalde left the venue in his vehicle. Gunmen ambushed the car and opened fire, killing him and two others. The attack was widely believed to be linked to cartel retaliation, possibly tied to lyrics or perceived affiliations. While definitive motives remain complex, the killing underscored the risks artists face in regions where criminal organizations exert territorial control. Elizalde's death reverberated across Mexico and the United States. It became a stark reminder that musicians performing in volatile environments can become entangled in conflicts far beyond the stage. Why these cases Resonate Pop stars are often treated as symbols. Their images are curated. Their lives appear glamorous and distant from ordinary danger. But these cases reveal how fragile that image can be. Whether through obsession, domestic violence, industry rivalries, or organized crime, each story exposes a vulnerability that fame cannot erase. Visibility can attract devotion, but it can also attract instability. The music may be global. The risks remain human. The murder of Selena Quintanilla Perez stands among the most devastating examples of how trust, ambition, and fame can intersect in tragic ways. For the full, deep dive into Selena's life, career, and the crime that ended it, head over to True Crime Stories for today's episode, because behind every headline is a real artist, a real family, and a legacy that deserves to be remembered with care. You've been listening to Crime House 24 7, bringing you breaking crime news. I'm Vanessa Richardson. We'll be back tomorrow morning with more developing stories. Stay safe, and thanks for listening. Close your eyes. Exhale. Feel your body relax, and let go of whatever you're carrying today. Well, I'm letting go of the worry that I wouldn't get my new contacts in time for this class. I got them delivered free from 1-800-contacts. Oh my gosh, they're so fast. And breathe. Oh, sorry. I almost couldn't breathe when I saw the discount they gave me on my first order. Oh, sorry. Namaste. Visit 1-800-contacts.com today to save on your first order. 1-800-contacts. Hi, it's Vanessa. If you're drawn to true crime stories about disappearances, check out the new Crime House original the Final Hours, hosted by Sarah Turney and Courtney Nicole. Listen to and follow the Final hours on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes drop every Monday.
- [31:19]
Ad Voice
Your new home is now ready. Dr. Horton, America's Builder has new homes that are ready today. With new construction communities throughout the Puget Sound and Central Washington areas And more coming, Dr. Horton has the the right home for you at Dr. Horton. We're still building with more construction, more communities and more homes available every day. Tap your screen now or visit drhorton.com to find your new home. Now ready Dr. Horton, America's builder and equal Housing Opportunity Builder.