Nick Reiner Arrested, Brown University Suspect Search, Bondi Beach Aftermath
Duration
14m
Broadcast on
16 Dec 2025
Audio Format
other
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A son of filmmaker Rob Reiner and producer Michele Singer Reiner has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is being held without bail. Authorities in Rhode Island are asking for the public’s help in identifying the gunman behind the shooting at Brown University. And, Australian authorities say the two suspected gunmen behind the mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration on Bondi Beach were inspired by Islamic State.
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Today’s episode of Up First was edited by Matteen Mokalla, Andrea DeLeon, Rebecca Rosman, Lisa Thomson and Alice Woefle.
It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas.
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A family friend thought Nick Reiner was on the upswing until he was accused of murder. He was going through some rough times for many years, but his soul was so pure and so gentle. What's known about Rob and Michelle Reiner's son? I mean, our team has that, Steve Inskeep, and this is up first from NPR News. Rhode Island authorities want the public's help in identifying the shooter at Brown University. The sooner we can identify that person, the sooner we can, I think, blow this case open. What clues do they have? We also have some information about suspects in a mass shooting in Australia. Two men open fire at a Hanukkah celebration, a father and son are accused, and police say a car linked to the son contained homemade Islamic state flags. What more does the evidence say? Stay with us. We've got the news you need to start your day. Stay tuned for the following announcements and messages from our sponsors. This message comes from Prolon. Want to look and feel your best this fall? Prolon's five-day fasting mimicking diet is a clinically developed nutrition program with the goal of promoting fat loss while protecting lean body mass. Developed at USC's Longevity Institute, it aims to assist the body in entering a fasting-like state that helps reset metabolism, target visceral fat, and support healthy metabolic markers. Get 15% off plus a bonus gift when you subscribe at prolonlife.com/NPR. This message comes from Schwab. At Schwab, you can get everything from self-directed investing to full-service wealth management, all in one place. No matter your investing goal, life stage, amount to invest, or know-how, you can invest your way with Schwab. This message comes from BetterHelp. Your brain has limited storage. So why is it still holding on to that embarrassing moment from years ago? BetterHelp is an online therapy platform that gives you space to talk about what's taking up too much of yours. BetterHelp is now in network with more than 125 health plans, with many co-pays as low as $15 for eligible members. And if you don't have eligible insurance, you can still get 20% off your first month. Visit BetterHelp.com/NPR. Cost and coverage may vary. Discount cannot be combined with insurance. The killings of Rob and Michelle Reiner were intimate crimes. Police say the suspect was a man who was as close to them as anyone in their life, their own son, Nick Reiner. In the years before his arrest, Reiner spoke openly about his struggles. And PR's Man de Lee Del Barco is covering the death of the filmmaker and his wife. Man de Lee, what is known about Nick Reiner? Well, Nick Reiner is 32 years old, born in Los Angeles, and one of film director Rob Reiner's four children. Nick says he started using drugs when he was young. He was just 15 years old when he began spending years in and out of rehab and addiction treatment centers. Here's how he described himself to NPR in 2016. I am a spoiled white rich kid from a Hollywood family, but I think it's even more of a testament to how powerful drugs can be. That you don't care about any of that stuff. What was his drug use like? Nick has been very candid about using all kinds of drugs, including meth and heroin, and he said he had many, many relapses. I heard him on a podcast talking about how he hated getting sober and how he sometimes chose to be homeless rather than going back to rehab. But ten years ago, after bouncing around in and out of halfway homes and treatment centers, Nick decided to co-write a screenplay based on some of his experiences. Father Rob Reiner produced and directed the movie being Charlie about a troubled teen who has a turbulent relationship with his famous father.
