{"id":215015,"date":"2026-01-06T09:21:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-06T09:21:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/06\/rob-and-michele-reiners-friendship-with-man-imprisoned-for-murder-at-17\/"},"modified":"2026-01-06T09:21:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T09:21:24","slug":"rob-and-michele-reiners-friendship-with-man-imprisoned-for-murder-at-17","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/06\/rob-and-michele-reiners-friendship-with-man-imprisoned-for-murder-at-17\/","title":{"rendered":"Rob and Michele Reiner’s Friendship With Man Imprisoned for Murder at 17"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Rob Reiner<\/strong><\/a> and wife Michele Singer Reiner<\/strong> befriended a man who was imprisoned at age 17 for a murder he says he did not commit, and spent years advocating for his release before their deaths.<\/p>\n

In an interview with NBC News<\/em><\/a> published on Monday, January 5, Nanon Williams<\/strong>, 51, detailed his bond with Rob, Michele and their children, after the late couple caught a performance of Byronn Bain<\/strong>\u2019s one-man show Lyrics From Lockdown<\/em><\/a> \u2014 partially inspired by Williams\u2019 writing \u2014 in Los Angeles in 2016.<\/p>\n

Moved by his words, the When Harry Met Sally\u2026<\/em><\/a> director and his wife reached out to Williams in prison and began a long-lasting friendship.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t really know who Rob was,\u201d Williams told NBC News<\/em>, adding that over the years, the couple took interest in his case, exchanging daily emails and weekly phone calls.<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Rob Reiner and Wife Michele\u2019s Deaths: Everything We Know So Far<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tRob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their home on December 14, 2025. TMZ reported at the time that the Los Angeles Fire Department had been called to the scene in the afternoon to administer \u201cmedical aid.\u201d It was later reported that a 78-year-old man and 70-year-old woman had been [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cThe more they learned, the more pissed off Rob became, and the more loving Michele became,\u201d said Williams, who was convicted of the murder of 19-year-old Adonius Collier<\/strong> in Houston, Texas, in 1992. He was sentenced to death following a 1995 trial.<\/p>\n

Just 17 at the time of his initial arrest, Williams spent years on death row until a 2005 law banned executions for crimes committed by juveniles. His sentence was reduced to life without parole, per NBC News<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Williams has maintained his innocence and his lawyers continue to appeal his conviction. In April 2024, the Texas Forensic Science Commission concluded<\/a> that ballistics analysis used to convict Williams was inaccurate.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is the most intuitive person I\u2019ve ever known,\u201d Michele wrote in a letter supporting Williams\u2019 request for a new trial, per NBC<\/em>. \u201cAnd although he says we have given him so much, he has given me so much more.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n Related: <\/span>Inside Rob, Michele Reiner’s Final Days Before Son’s Arrest for Their Deaths<\/span><\/a>
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\n\t\t\tRob and Michele Singer Reiner made numerous public appearances \u2014 and plans with several celebrity friends \u2014 in the days leading up to their murders. Us Weekly confirmed on Monday, December 15 that Rob, 78, and Michele, 68, died from \u201capparent stab wounds,\u201d according to the Los Angeles police. Their shocking deaths came as a [\u2026]\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

In his own letter, Rob wrote, \u201cI\u2019ve led a high profile life for over fifty years. And in that time I\u2019ve met some very impressive and influential people. But if I\u2019m being honest, apart from my father [Carl Reiner<\/strong><\/a>], no one has impressed me more and been more influential to me than Nanon Williams.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rob and Michele weren\u2019t the only ones to bond with Williams. He was also introduced virtually to their three children, Jake<\/strong>, 34, Nick<\/strong>, 32, and Romy<\/strong>, 28.<\/p>\n

Romy told NBC News<\/em>, \u201cHe became like family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy parents spoke about him with such love,\u201d she added in a statement. \u201cHe has taught me more about life and human compassion than anyone I\u2019ve ever met.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to NBC News<\/em>, Michele wrote an email to Williams on December 13, 2025, just hours before she and Rob were slain inside their home<\/a> in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

Rob and Michele had taken their close friend, Billy Crystal<\/strong>, to a performance of Lyrics From Lockdown<\/em> in Los Angeles on December 12. Michele wrote that Crystal \u201cloved it and was so moved by it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Michele wrote, \u201cWe all said we can\u2019t wait to watch it with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rob and Michele were found dead<\/a> inside their home on December 14, just two days after the performance. He was 78 and she was 70.<\/p>\n

According to NBC<\/em>, Williams did not receive Michele\u2019s email to his state-issued electronic tablet until after the deaths. He also received two more emails from the couple, which they had sent before they died but were received days later due to prison screening policies.<\/p>\n

\u201cPlease, this can\u2019t be true. Please tell me the news is lying,\u201d Williams reportedly wrote to Michele after learning that two people were found dead inside the Reiners\u2019 home.<\/p>\n

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