Conan O’Brien has shared his deep grief following the tragic deaths of his friends, director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele.
The couple were found dead in their home on December 14, just one day after attending O’Brien’s annual Christmas party in Los Angeles.
Speaking to The New Yorker in a newly published interview, the comedian admitted he was still struggling to process the loss.
“It’s just so awful,” O’Brien said, reflecting on Rob’s active role in the country and how much he put himself out there.
He noted that it is still hard for him to understand that such a strong voice would be silenced so suddenly.
O’Brien and his wife had grown closer to the couple in recent years.
He described Rob and Michele as “lovely people” and recalled the terrifying experience of saying goodnight to them at his party only to find they were gone the next day.
The host shared that the shock of the news stayed with him for a long time afterwards.
The tragedy took a darker turn when it was revealed that the couple had been stabbed to death.
Their 32-year-old son, Nick, has since been arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Reports from the night of the party suggested the family had argued during the event.
Nick, an aspiring director who has a history of substance abuse and was treated for schizophrenia, currently faces a maximum sentence of life in prison or the death penalty.
The trial has encountered its own complications.
Nick’s high-profile lawyer, Alan Jackson, unexpectedly dropped the case just before a scheduled court hearing in January.
While Jackson declined to give specific reasons for stepping down, he said Hot Mic podcast that something had happened that affected his team’s ability to continue.
He made it clear that he would not divulge any confidential details, simply saying, “When I’m done, I’m done.”
Nick is now expected to appear in court on Monday.
