A death row inmate shared a tragic email from Michelle Reiner just hours before she and her husband Rob, both well-known in Hollywood, were allegedly killed by their son, according to reports from a convict.
On December 12, Rob and Michelle Reiner attended a performance in Los Angeles titled “Lyrics from Lockdown”—a one-man show exploring themes of injustice and mass incarceration in the American justice system, inspired by the life and writings of Nanon Williams.
Nanon, who has been incarcerated for over three decades, maintains that he is innocent of the murder for which he was sentenced to death.
Over the years, the Reiners had developed a significant bond with Nanon, often sending messages and working together for his freedom. “They became a pivotal part of my life,” he told NBC News during a recent interview from a Texas prison.
However, on December 14, Nanon logged into his prison-issued tablet and was crushed to learn that Rob and Michelle had been found fatally stabbed in their home, with their son Nick facing murder charges.
He began sending frantic messages to Michelle, who he considered a maternal figure, pleading, “Please, this can’t be happening. Tell me it’s not true.”
Though emails to prisoners are usually delayed due to strict security protocols, Nanon eventually received a message from Michelle at 8:36 pm on December 13, where she expressed admiration for the show. Nanon’s family also participated in the performance.
The Reiners’ close friends, including Billy Crystal and his family, were also present for the event. In her message, Michelle remarked on how special it was to experience the performance with them and praised Nanon’s mother. She ended the note with, “I hope you’re doing well. Love, Michelle.”
Tragically, the couple was discovered dead the following day.
Rob and Michelle were strong advocates for social justice, having first encountered “Lockdown Lyrics” in 2016, which struck a chord due to its powerful themes and Nanon’s plight.
Nanon was charged with murder at the age of 17 and sentenced in 1995 for the shooting death of Adonias Collier in a Houston park.
The case against him relied heavily on what was believed to be compelling ballistics evidence, as he admitted to firing the gun, although he claimed another co-defendant was responsible.
After years of investigation, doubts arose regarding the evidence; ballistics experts later stated the prosecution’s narrative was flawed. This led to a post-conviction hearing in 2001 where a judge recommended a new trial, although the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals denied this request.
As Nanon shared, “The more we discovered, the angrier Rob felt, while Michelle’s affection only deepened.”
After receiving a tablet in 2021, regular communication resumed, with Michelle often reaching out to share updates about her family and simple check-ins.
“Michelle was my heart,” Nanon reflected.
During a Zoom call, he was also able to connect with the Reiners’ children, Jack, Romy, and Nick. Romy later stated, “He taught me more about life and human compassion than anyone I’ve ever met.”
