Nick Reiner is charged with murdering his parents after they were found stabbed at their LA home
The deaths of acclaimed film-maker Rob Reiner and his wife, photographer Michele Singer Reiner, have taken a devastating turn after their son was formally charged with their murders.
Nick Reiner, 32, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder following the killing of his parents at their home in Brentwood, Los Angeles. Prosecutors confirmed on Tuesday that the charges include special circumstances for multiple murders and an allegation involving the use of a knife. He is being held without bail.
Authorities say the couple were found dead on Sunday, having suffered fatal stab wounds. Nick Reiner was taken into custody later that evening, hours after police were alerted to the deaths.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman described the case as both shocking and deeply tragic. In a statement announcing the charges, he said the murders of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner had sent ripples far beyond their family, given Reiner’s towering influence on film and public life.
“Rob Reiner was one of the greatest film-makers of his generation,” Hochman said. “His murder, and the murder of his wife of more than 35 years, are shocking and tragic. We owe it to their memory to pursue justice and accountability for the lives that were taken.”
Hochman acknowledged the emotional weight of the case, adding that crimes involving family violence are among the most difficult prosecutors face because of their intimate and often brutal nature.
Nick Reiner was not expected to appear in court on Tuesday. His defence attorney, Alan Jackson, told reporters that his client had not yet received medical clearance and would not attend court proceedings until at least Wednesday.
The killings have stunned Hollywood and prompted an outpouring of grief from political leaders, friends and colleagues. Former US president Barack Obama paid tribute to the couple, saying they lived lives “defined by purpose”.
“Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen,” Obama said. “But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people.”
Friends of the couple issued a joint letter expressing their devastation. Signed by figures including Billy Crystal, Larry David, Martin Short and Albert Brooks, the letter described Rob and Michele Reiner as partners in both love and civic commitment. “We will miss them forever,” the statement read.
Rob Reiner rose to fame in the 1970s with his Emmy-winning role as Michael “Meathead” Stivic on the sitcom All in the Family. He later became one of Hollywood’s most respected directors, helming films such as This Is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally and Misery.
Michele Singer Reiner was a respected photographer and producer. Her work included a well-known portrait of Donald Trump used on the book The Art of the Deal, and she also collaborated with her husband on several film projects.
Police sources say tensions within the family may have escalated in the days before the killings. Reports indicate Rob and Nick Reiner were heard arguing at a Christmas party on the eve of the attack. A family friend told local media that Nick had been living at the Brentwood property and that Michele Reiner had recently expressed concern about his mental health.
On Sunday, the couple’s daughter, Romy Reiner, is reported to have discovered their bodies and contacted authorities.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed officers responded to the home shortly before 4pm on Sunday. Investigators later determined the couple had been killed, and Nick Reiner was arrested that evening after police concluded he was responsible for their deaths.
As the case moves toward court, the legacy of a beloved Hollywood figure has been overshadowed by a crime that has left an industry, and a family, reeling.
