Fans Can't Agree on Conan O'Brien's Role After Rob Reiner's Fight with His Son at the Party

Fans remain divided over Conan O'Brien's role in a tense family confrontation that unfolded at his Los Angeles Christmas party, just hours before filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Reiner were found dead in their home.

What began as a festive holiday gathering at Conan O'Brien's Los Angeles mansion spiraled into a night of confrontation and concern. And within hours, ended in unthinkable tragedy.

Now, fans are bitterly divided over his decision to stop a 911 call during a violent altercation between legendary filmmaker Rob Reiner and his troubled son Nick Reiner.

Family Fight Erupts in the Spotlight

According to multiple reports, the 60-year-old former "Late Night" host stepped in as tensions flared at his own Christmas party Saturday night — silencing a guest's attempt to call the police as Reiner's private family drama burst into full view.

Witnesses say that Rob, 78, and his 32-year-old son Nick clashed in a ferocious verbal fight that left other guests rattled. One insider told the Daily Mail, "They got in an argument, the father and son. It got so bad and loud someone wanted to call the police to report it."

But the call never came because O'Brien allegedly stopped it. "But Conan stepped in and said, ‘it's my house, my party, I'm not calling the police.' He talked them out of calling the police," the source added.

Concerns Over Mental Health Ignored?

Another guest reportedly backed up the story, adding that the confrontation turned disturbing enough that people feared for Nick's well-being and for others around him. "When the s**t was hitting the fan, somebody said we need to call the police. The conversation was about getting this kid put into a mental-health hold," the source said. O'Brien's alleged response? No police. No scene. Not at his party.

According to that witness, O'Brien didn't want officers arriving to break up the party and risk a media frenzy. The Los Angeles Police Department later confirmed to the Daily Mail that no 911 calls were made from the property that night.

Despite the unease and obvious tension at the party, no one could have imagined what was about to happen. Rob and Michele Reiner were found dead in their Los Angeles home less than 24 hours later, both killed by knife wounds.

Their son, Nick, was arrested and has since been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He is currently being held on $4 million bail.

TMZ reported that the violent argument was "very loud" and noticeable to most guests at the party. According to family sources, Rob and Michele left shortly after the fight, but it remains unclear whether Nick left with them.

The outlet also revealed that Michele had expressed frustration over her son's mental health and alleged substance abuse. She reportedly confided in close friends, saying, "We've tried everything."

Family Friends Paint a Complicated Picture

But People magazine offered a contrasting narrative. A source close to the Reiners told the publication that Nick wasn't known to be violent, despite a long history of self-destructive behavior and addiction.

"Nick was self-destructive in many ways, but not violent," the source said. "If they thought he was violent, things would have been very different." The insider added, "I don't think anyone could have ever seen anything like this coming. Nick was declining lately but he had been really bad before."

The source also shared that Rob and Michele felt "enormous guilt" about their inability to help their son. Rob had previously spoken openly about his desperation to support Nick through his long battle with addiction, which began in his teen years.

Public Reaction Explodes as Fans Question Conan's Role

Now, the public is left to grapple with an impossible question: Should O'Brien have allowed someone to call for help? Reactions online are heated, emotional, and divided.

One person wrote, "Wow ! That will be a hard thing for Conan to live with."

Another said, "You can't blame this on Conan, no one had any idea what was going to happen."

Still, others weren't so forgiving. One person stated, "And now he has to live with that decision." Another added, "Bet he regrets that decision."

"I am sure he never thought he would murder them," one user wrote.

Nick Reiner appeared briefly in court on December 17, 2025, but his attorney declined to enter a plea. His arraignment is scheduled to continue on January 7, 2026.