Hollywood is mourning the loss of two beloved figures, Rob and Michele Reiner, whose tragic deaths have stunned the entertainment world and left their family grappling with unimaginable pain. As details emerge, those close to the Reiners are speaking out, hoping to set the record straight about their years-long battle to help their troubled son, Nick.

Nick Reiner, 32, now stands accused of murdering his parents inside their Los Angeles home on December 14. The charges have sent shockwaves through the community, but insiders say the story is far more complicated than headlines suggest.

A Family’s Fight Against Addiction

Sources close to the Reiner family tell PEOPLE that Rob and Michele were “loving” parents who “tried so hard already for years” to help Nick, whose struggles with addiction and mental health began in his teens. Despite their efforts, Nick—described as “convincing and intelligent”—never truly accepted their support.

“At the end of the day, Nick didn’t take the help seriously. This was true for years and years,” one insider shared. “His issues were far, far out of his parents’ control.”

Friends say the Reiners were empathetic, never losing hope in Nick even when his behavior became erratic or frightening. “Nick lied a lot. He was unreliable, but he was also convincing and intelligent,” the insider explained. “His family was empathetic to how much his struggles contributed to his behavior. They never lost hope in him, even when he was scaring them or making their lives harder.”

A Night That Changed Everything

On the evening of December 14, Rob, 78, and Michele, 70, were found dead inside their home. Nick was arrested later that night and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He appeared in court on December 17, with his attorney declining to enter a plea. His arraignment is scheduled to continue on January 7.

The Reiner family, once a fixture on Hollywood’s red carpets, is now the center of a heartbreaking legal case. Yet, those who knew them best say the real story is one of love, perseverance, and a parent’s endless hope.

Regrets and Reflections

Nick’s battle with addiction was no secret. He co-wrote the 2015 film Being Charlie, directed by his father, which drew from his own experiences. Promoting the film, Nick was candid about his “dark years,” admitting he’d been in and out of rehab over 18 times by age 22.

In a revealing Los Angeles Times interview, Rob and Michele expressed regret over how they handled Nick’s struggles. “The program works for some people, but it can’t work for everybody,” Rob said. “When Nick would tell us that it wasn’t working for him, we wouldn’t listen. We were desperate, and because the people had diplomas on their wall, we listened to them when we should have been listening to our son.”

Michele echoed this sentiment: “We were so influenced by these people. They would tell us he’s a liar, that he was trying to manipulate us. And we believed them.”

A Family Torn Apart

Nick’s siblings, Jake, 34, and Romy, 28, released a statement expressing their “unimaginable pain.” “The horrific and devastating loss of our parents is something that no one should ever experience. They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends,” they wrote.

Despite the turmoil, the Reiners remained a close-knit family. Nick joined the family on the red carpet at Rob’s Spinal Tap II premiere in Los Angeles on September 9. In a September NPR interview, Rob said Nick “hasn’t been doing drugs for over six years,” adding, “He’s in a really good place.”

But insiders say stability was always elusive. “The Reiners could never reach stability with Nick. They tried everything—giving him space, keeping him close—but his struggles are so deep,” one source told PEOPLE. “It’s just a parent’s worst nightmare. They were such lovely people and tried in every way to help their son.”

Lessons for All Families

The Reiner tragedy is a stark reminder of the challenges families face when dealing with addiction and mental health. Experts say that even the most loving and supportive parents can find themselves powerless against forces beyond their control.

Rob and Michele’s story resonates with countless families who have struggled to help a loved one. Their willingness to speak publicly about their regrets and mistakes offers a rare glimpse into the realities of addiction—a disease that doesn’t discriminate, even among Hollywood royalty.

Moving Forward with Compassion

As the legal process unfolds, those close to the Reiners hope the public will remember their legacy of love and perseverance. “They never stopped trying,” one friend said. “They deserve compassion, not judgment.”

The Reiners’ journey is a testament to the power—and limits—of parental love. It’s a story that invites empathy, reflection, and understanding, not just for one family, but for anyone facing similar challenges.

The Conversation Continues

As Hollywood and fans everywhere grapple with the loss, the Reiner family’s story serves as both a cautionary tale and a call for compassion. The pain of addiction reaches far beyond headlines, and the journey to healing is never simple.

Share your thoughts and memories of the Reiner family below. How can we better support families facing addiction and mental health struggles? Join the conversation.