Nanon Williams, an inmate in Texas who is in prison for a murder he says he didn’t commit, formed a close bond with Rob and Michele Reiner, emailing them often. Williams was charged with murder at 17, having spent the last 34 years in prison, but he has maintained his innocence, and the case was back in court.
In an interview with NBC News, Williams called the Reiners “an integral part of my life,” adding that “they became a part of me.”
His mother also added that they ” were not phony people,” instead describing them as “the sweetest, most loving people that I have ever met.”
Williams learned of Rob and Michele’s passing on Dec. 14, reading the news alert on his state-issued tablet. He immediately sent a message to Michele. “Please, this can’t be true,” he wrote. “Please tell me the news is lying.” And with that, since emails take a while to arrive in prison, he received three notes from Rob and Michele in the days after their death.
“Michele was my heart,” Williams told NBC.
The outlet added that one of the emails was sent on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 8:26 p.m. EST, which was just hours before they were murdered.
Rob and Michele Reiner’s Daughter Says The Couple Offered Nanon Williams A Place To Live
GettyIn a statement to NBC News, Romy Reiner, the daughter of Rob and Michele, revealed that the couple had actually invited Williams to live with them if he ever was released from prison.
Romy referred to Williams as her big brother, adding that “he became like family.”
Nanon Williams Says The Reiner’s Didn’t Want Any Credit For Helping Him
In the interview with NBC News, Williams praised Rob and Michele Reiner, detailing how the bond they formed was true.
“Rob and Michele didn’t want credit for trying to help me,” Williams said. “It was just because they loved me.”
Ron and Michele’s children also spoke very highly of Williams.
“My parents spoke about him with such love,” Romy wrote in a statement to the outlet. “He has taught me more about life and human compassion than anyone I’ve ever met.”
Rob Reiner Helped Nanon Williams Find Love
GettyDespite being in prison, Williams met a woman who heard about the case, and the two fell in love. However, he “had a fear of my chains becoming hers,” sharing those concerns with Rob, who had a very thoughtful response. He asked Williams if he remembered watching “The Princess Bride.”
“I learned it was about true love,” Williams remembers telling him (per NBC News) to which Rob replied, “Your story is about true love. If you don’t fight for love, Nanon, what would you fight for?”
The two ultimately got married.
Rob Reiner Mentioned Nanon Williams Alongside His Father
GettyIn 2024, after a report was issued that the ballistics testimony used to convict Williams was wrong, his legal team requested a new trial, according to NBC News. And with that, Rob, Michele and Romy all wrote letters on Williams’ behalf.
In his note, Rob compared Williams to one of the most important people in his life.
“I’ve led a high profile life for over fifty years,” Rob wrote. “And in that time I’ve met some very impressive and influential people. But if I’m being honest, apart from my father, no one has impressed me more and been more influential to me than Nanon Williams.”
Williams’ reaction to that?
“It’s overwhelming,” he told NBC News. “I don’t even know how to digest that.”
