Brentwood, a Los Angeles neighborhood with tall hedges and multimillion-dollar homes, is mourning the death of Hollywood legend Rob Reiner and his wife Michele. The community, known for its A-list residents, is taking the killings hard, with many residents expressing sadness and shock over the loss of two beloved neighbors.
The recent death of Rob Reiner and Michele has brought back memories of a similar tragedy that occurred in 1994 when Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman were found stabbed to death outside her condo. The case led to an infamous “slow-speed chase” by O.J. Simpson, which drew international media attention.
Resident Larry Watts says the spotlight on Brentwood can be overwhelming, recalling how people would descend on the neighborhood after the O.J. Simpson case and cause traffic jams for months. He hopes that the Reiner case will not bring back the same drama and chaos.
Brentwood residents are trying to move forward, focusing on the loss of community members who were more than just celebrities. “It’s a small town feel,” says resident Jeff Hall, founder of Brentwood News. “You could run into Dustin Hoffman at the local coffeehouse or supermarket.”
As the investigation unfolds, neighbors are holding out hope that things will eventually return to normal. The death of Rob Reiner and Michele has left a sense of sadness and loss in the community, but also a reminder of the importance of supporting those struggling with mental health issues.
The case has sparked conversations about the role of celebrity in shaping our perceptions of violence and crime. “This could have happened in any community,” says Watts. “It’s not unique to Brentwood.”
Source: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-12-18/brentwood-mourns-reiners-but-having-o-j-simpson-flashbacks