Nick Reiner Charged With Murder in Deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner
Los Angeles prosecutors say Nick Reiner faces two counts of first-degree murder with a knife as a special allegation in the December deaths of his parents; his next court appearance is scheduled for January 7.
Nick Reiner, 32, the son of director Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the December deaths of his parents at their Brentwood home in Los Angeles. A special allegation tied to the case alleges he used a knife as a deadly weapon. Reiner was arrested on December 14 and remains jailed without bail, according to authorities.
The bodies of Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Reiner, 68, were found December 14 at their Brentwood residence after their daughter Romy discovered them, multiple outlets reported. Investigators described the deaths as the result of multiple stab wounds. Prosecutors filed two counts of first-degree murder and the knife-related special allegation; if convicted, Reiner could face life without parole or the death penalty. Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the killings.
During a brief court appearance on December 17, the defendant told the judge that he understood his right to a speedy trial. He did not enter a plea and appeared restrained, wearing what appeared to be a vest used in custody settings. He is represented by Alan Jackson, a high-profile defense attorney who has handled other high-profile Los Angeles cases. The next hearing is scheduled for January 7.
Prosecutors have not disclosed a motive for the killings. Publicized reports have noted a possible context for the incident, including an alleged dispute from the night before at a party attended by Nick Reiner and his father, though accounts of the severity of that dispute vary and have not been confirmed as part of the official filing.
The case has drawn national attention, with some public figures commenting on social media about the implications of the tragedy. Notably, President Donald Trump commented on the case in the context of his broader rhetoric, though prosecutors have not tied the murders to any political stance or motive. Legal observers caution that such remarks should not be taken as indications of motive or evidence in the case.
Nick Reiner has long spoken publicly about his struggles with substance use. In 2015, he starred in the semi-autobiographical film Being Charlie, which Rob Reiner and Michele Singer co-wrote and directed. The film chronicled a teenager’s efforts to overcome drug addiction and featured the family’s perspectives on treatment and recovery. The Reiners have described their work on the project as a vehicle for healing, though public discussions of Nick’s challenges began years earlier and continued alongside the release of the film. The project coincided with a period in which the family faced internal tensions while seeking to support Nick through rehabilitation efforts and periods of homelessness during his youth.
The Reiner family’s public profile stretches back decades. Rob Reiner, renowned for directing The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, and other films, has long balanced a career in entertainment with philanthropic and political activities. Michele Singer Reiner, an actress and producer, contributed to multiple projects and ran a photography agency and production outfit. The couple’s son Jake Reiner and their daughter Romy have also been part of the public narrative surrounding the family, as has Rob Reiner’s prior marriage to Penny Marshall and his connection to later family members.
With the December deaths leaving the film-world figurehead family in shock, authorities emphasized that investigations continue. Prosecutors indicated that they will present evidence through formal channels, while defense counsel prepares for upcoming proceedings. The case remains under active review as investigators pursue any additional leads and potential corollaries to Nick Reiner’s long-standing history of seeking treatment for substance abuse.
Authorities have cautioned that information from social media should not be treated as evidence in the case, given the risk of inaccuracies or unverified claims. As the January 7 hearing approaches, observers will be watching how prosecutors frame the charges and which, if any, new details become public through court filings and official statements.