The final, heartfelt message sent by Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele has been shared by a close friend, offering a poignant glimpse into their lives just days before their violent deaths. The couple, aged 78 and 70 respectively, were found dead at their Los Angeles home earlier in December, with their son, Nick Reiner, 32, later charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
A Touching Final Message
Neda Soderqvist, who worked as a personal trainer for Michele Reiner for 15 years, received a handwritten Christmas card from the couple which arrived in the post on Monday, December 30th. Taking to Instagram, Soderqvist shared an image of the card, which contained a warm and characteristically candid note.
The card read: ‘Dear Neda – What can I say after all these years. We love each other, are mad at each other, and then just move on! And it always works out!’ It was signed, ‘Love Michele and Rob’.
Alongside the card, Soderqvist received a Christmas bonus. In her emotional post, she revealed that Michele always made her promise to spend the bonus on herself. Soderqvist vowed to keep $100 and donate the remainder to a foundation she knew Michele loved, honouring her friend's memory.
A Bond Stronger Than Family
In a previous tribute, Soderqvist described her profound connection to Michele, stating they were ‘inseparable five days a week for 15 years’ and were more like family than trainer and client. She praised the couple's 36-year marriage, telling People magazine, ‘They were exactly as if they had just met. Every time they left my studio, they held hands.’
Soderqvist, who is godmother to the Reiners' daughter Romy, also requested privacy for the grieving family. Romy, 27, was the one who discovered her parents' bodies. The death certificates confirmed the couple died from ‘multiple sharp force injuries’ in a homicide, and their bodies have since been cremated.
Legal Proceedings and Family Grief
Nick Reiner is currently being held without bail and was placed on suicide watch in solitary confinement following his arrest. His arraignment is scheduled for January 7, 2026. Legal experts suggest he may pursue an insanity defence, citing a reported history of addiction struggles and treatment for schizophrenia, but note this could be legally complex.
If convicted, he faces life in prison without parole or potentially the death penalty. Meanwhile, the Reiner children—Jake, 34, and Romy—have issued statements expressing their ‘unimaginable pain’ and requesting privacy. They confirmed plans for a small, private funeral service at a later date.
The family spokesperson stated on December 22: ‘Jake and Romy Reiner remain grateful for the outpouring of love and support they have received.’ They asked the public to remember their parents for ‘the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave’.
