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Rob Reiner and his son Nick Reiner are at the center of a rapidly unfolding and deeply unsettling case after new details emerged about a heated confrontation at a Hollywood party just hours before the legendary filmmaker and his wife were found slain. 

According to multiple sources, Rob Reiner and Nick Reiner were involved in a “big fight” at a Christmas party hosted by Conan O’Brien on Saturday night, raising new questions as investigators piece together the timeline leading up to the apparent double homicide.

According to TMZ, Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, left the party shortly after the confrontation. At the time, few could have imagined that the argument would become a critical detail in a case that would shock Hollywood less than 24 hours later.

As investigators continue their work, the argument between Rob Reiner and Nick Reiner at Conan O’Brien’s party has taken on new significance. While authorities have not publicly linked the dispute to the alleged crime, the timing and intensity of the confrontation have made it a focal point in public discussion surrounding the case.

A Heated Confrontation at Conan O’Brien’s Holiday Party

The argument between Rob Reiner and Nick Reiner reportedly took place late Saturday at a holiday gathering hosted by comedian and talk-show icon Conan O’Brien. TMZ was first to report that the exchange was “very loud,” and multiple partygoers later confirmed the incident to PEOPLE.

One source told PEOPLE that Nick Reiner’s behavior alarmed guests throughout the evening. “Nick was freaking everyone out, acting crazy, kept asking people if they were famous,” the source said.

According to TMZ, Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, left the party shortly after the confrontation. At the time, few could have imagined that the argument would become a critical detail in a case that would shock Hollywood less than 24 hours later.

Related coverage:

• PEOPLE: People.com | Celebrity News, Exclusives, Photos and Videos
• Rob Reiner and Son Nick 'Got in a Big Fight' at Conan O'Brien's Party Hours Before Murders: 'He Was Freaking Everyone Out'
• Donald Trump Says Rob Reiner Died from 'the Anger He Caused Others' with His 'Trump Derangement Syndrome'
• TMZ: https://www.tmz.com

Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner Found Slain

On Sunday afternoon, Dec. 14, Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, 70, were found dead inside their Los Angeles home in the Brentwood neighborhood. According to law enforcement, the Los Angeles Fire Department was called to the residence around 3:30 p.m. local time to provide medical aid.

First responders discovered the bodies of the couple inside the home on Chadbourne Avenue. Sources previously told PEOPLE that the couple’s daughter, Romy Reiner, discovered them.

The Los Angeles Police Department later confirmed that the deaths were being investigated as a homicide.

• LAPD: https://www.lapdonline.org

Nick Reiner Arrested and Charged With Murder

Approximately six hours after the bodies were discovered, Nick Reiner was taken into custody by authorities. The 32-year-old was later formally arrested and charged with murder.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced that Nick Reiner also faces a special allegation of using a dangerous and deadly weapon—a knife. If convicted, Reiner could face life in prison or the death penalty. Prosecutors have not yet decided whether they will pursue capital punishment.

Nick Reiner is currently being held without bail.

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Court Proceedings Delayed Due to Medical Clearance

Nick Reiner was scheduled to make his first court appearance on Tuesday morning, but that appearance was postponed. His attorney, famed defense lawyer Alan Jackson, said the arraignment was delayed because his client had not been medically cleared to be transported to court.

Jackson is well known for representing high-profile clients, including Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, in major criminal cases.

• Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office: https://da.lacounty.gov

A Troubled Past and a Complicated Father-Son Relationship

Nick Reiner has spoken publicly in the past about his struggles with drug addiction and homelessness, issues that began in his teenage years. In a 2016 interview with PEOPLE, Nick said he cycled in and out of rehab starting around age 15 and spent extended periods homeless as his addiction worsened.

Those experiences later inspired the 2015 film Being Charlie, which Nick wrote and Rob Reiner directed. The film was loosely based on Nick’s life and the strained relationship between a father and son navigating addiction.

Rob Reiner’s Enduring Hollywood Legacy

Rob Reiner’s death marks the loss of one of Hollywood’s most influential figures. The son of legendary entertainer Carl Reiner, he first gained fame as the outspoken liberal son-in-law on the groundbreaking sitcom All in the Family.

He later became one of the most successful filmmakers of the 1980s and 1990s, directing iconic films such as This Is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Misery, and A Few Good Men.

Rob Reiner married Michele Singer, a photographer and producer, in 1989 after meeting her while working on When Harry Met Sally. Singer also gained notoriety for taking the photograph of Donald Trump that appeared on the cover of his 1987 book The Art of the Deal.

Together, Rob and Michele Reiner had three children: Jake, Nick, and Romy.

The investigation remains ongoing.