Reiner couple’s bodies released as autopsy confirms cause; son charged with murder

Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Reiner's bodies were released to their grieving family five days after they were found stabbed to death at their Brentwood estate, authorities said. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office said autopsies determined the couple died from multiple sharp-force injuries. Nick Reiner, 32, the couple's son, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and remains in custody as he awaits his arraignment, now set for January 7.

The couple's bodies had been withheld for autopsy after they were discovered Sunday at the Brentwood property, where their son had been living in the guesthouse. Police reported Nick was arrested that night and charged with murder. A private memorial for the couple was held Monday at the home of actor Albert Brooks, with friends including Conan O'Brien, Billy Crystal, Bill Hader and Larry David in attendance.

Details about Nick's background have circulated in local media and court filings. TMZ and other outlets reported that he has a long history of substance abuse, beginning with rehab at age 15 and multiple stints in treatment programs over the years. The Daily Mail noted that he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and that friends described him as increasingly unstable in the weeks leading up to the killings, as doctors adjusted his medications. Prosecutors have alleged that the violence followed a period in which Nick had become dangerous and erratic.

Nick's counsel, attorney Alan Jackson, released a statement asking that the process move forward without rush to judgment and noting the case's complexities. Under California's slayer statute, Nick would not be eligible to inherit his parents' estate if convicted, though an insanity defense could create an exception.

TMZ reported that on the night before the killings Nick had a loud argument with his parents at Conan O'Brien's Christmas party, according to multiple accounts. Insiders described a long history of drug problems, including early rehab stints and periods of homelessness before moving into the guesthouse. Some outlets also described him as having been diagnosed with schizophrenia and said doctors had recently adjusted his medication as his behavior grew more volatile in the weeks before the tragedy.

Rob Reiner has spoken publicly of his challenges as a parent dealing with his son's addiction; the 2015 film Being Charlie, which Reiner directed and in which Nick co-wrote the script, drew inspiration from their experiences. Reiner has since said he regretted relying too heavily on medical professionals and not listening enough to his son when treatments did not fit his needs.

Romy Reiner, 27, was reported to have found the bodies and told police about a dangerous family member who should be a suspect, a detail that investigators have pursued as they piece together the timeline.

Investigators expect the full coroner's report to be finalized within the next 90 days, with more medical context likely to emerge as the case progresses. Nick appeared at a court hearing Wednesday, shirtless under an anti-suicide vest, did not enter a plea, and waived his right to a speedy arraignment. The January 7 arraignment date remains set to give his top attorney more time to prepare his defense.