Tragic Hollywood Homicide: Rob Reiner's Son Faces First-Degree Murder Charges in Parents' Deaths

Nick Reiner, 32-year-old son of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner, was taken into custody on suspicion of murdering his parents and subsequently jailed within hours of their discovery.

Los Angeles County prosecutors announced Tuesday that Nick Reiner will face two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of his father, 78-year-old director Rob Reiner, and his mother, Michele Singer Reiner. This announcement came during a press conference held jointly by District Attorney Nathan Hochman and Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell.

Prosecutors indicated they would file formal charges later Tuesday, consisting of two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances of multiple murders. The charges will include an additional special allegation regarding the use of a dangerous weapon—specifically, a knife.

The charges come just two days after the couple was discovered deceased with apparent stab wounds in their residence located in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Nick Reiner was promptly arrested and incarcerated following the discovery.

Although Nick Reiner was scheduled for an initial court appearance Tuesday, his attorney Alan Jackson explained that his client was not transported from jail to the courthouse due to medical concerns. Jackson indicated that the appearance would not take place before Wednesday but provided no further details regarding the case. Nick Reiner has not yet entered a plea.

Rob Reiner was widely recognized as the Emmy-winning actor from "All in the Family" who later established himself as a distinguished director with films including "When Harry Met Sally..." and "The Princess Bride." Throughout his career, he remained a vocal liberal activist. Michele Singer Reiner worked as a photographer, film producer, and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. Their marriage spanned 36 years.

Representatives for the Reiner family have not responded to requests for comments regarding the situation.

Nick Reiner's attorney, Alan Jackson, confirmed to reporters outside the courthouse that he was unaware of the specific medical issue preventing his client's court appearance, but reiterated that Reiner would not appear before Wednesday.

Currently held without bail, Nick Reiner was arrested several hours after authorities discovered his parents' bodies in their Brentwood home on Sunday, according to police statements.

Law enforcement officials have not disclosed any potential motive for the killings. Alan Jackson, a high-profile attorney who previously represented Harvey Weinstein during his Los Angeles trial and Karen Read in Massachusetts, declined to provide additional comments about the case on Tuesday. Jackson gained public recognition as a central figure in an HBO documentary covering the Read case.

According to a law enforcement official who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the investigation, investigators believe Rob and Michele Singer Reiner died from stab wounds.

The tragedy has been particularly shocking given the Reiner family's warm comic legacy. Rob Reiner was the son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, who passed away in 2020 at age 98.

Tributes to the couple have poured in from Hollywood figures, including Kathy Bates, who won an Oscar for her role in Rob Reiner's 1990 film "Misery." "I loved Rob," Bates stated. "He was brilliant and kind, a man who made films of every genre to challenge himself as an artist. He also fought courageously for his political beliefs. He changed the course of my life. Michele was a gifted photographer."

Former President Bill Clinton expressed his grief, stating, "Hillary and I are heartbroken by the tragic deaths of our friends Rob and Michele Reiner. They were good, generous people who made everyone who knew them better."

Just three months prior to the incident, Nick Reiner had been photographed with his parents and siblings at the premiere of his father's film "Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues."

Nick had previously spoken publicly about his struggles with addiction, describing cycles of treatment facilities and periods of homelessness throughout his teenage years. Rob and Nick Reiner had seemingly improved their relationship through their collaboration on the 2016 film "Being Charlie," which Nick co-wrote and Rob directed. The film explored the complex dynamics between an addicted son and his famous father.

"It forced us to understand ourselves better than we had," Rob Reiner told the AP in 2016. "I told Nick while we were making it, I said, 'You know it doesn't matter, whatever happens to this thing, we won already.'"

Rob Reiner was considered one of Hollywood's most prolific directors, creating memorable classics from the 1980s and '90s, including "This is Spinal Tap" and "A Few Good Men." He met Michele Singer Reiner on the set of "When Harry Met Sally..."—an encounter that reportedly influenced the film's happy ending.

The Reiners were known for their outspoken advocacy of liberal causes and significant donations to Democratic campaigns. Following the tragedy, former President Donald Trump made an unsubstantiated claim on social media suggesting that Rob Reiner's vocal opposition to him played a role in the director's death.