Nick Reiner, 32, has been formally charged with the murder of his parents, actor-director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele. The case is unfolding in Los Angeles County courts, with a preliminary appearance scheduled for Tuesday that did not take place.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced at a press conference on Tuesday that Reiner faces two counts of first-degree murder, a special circumstance of multiple murders, and an allegation that he personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon. If found guilty, Reiner could receive a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole or the death penalty.
The indictment was presented to the public at 1 p.m. local time, the same day as the scheduled court appearance. The preliminary hearing was set for 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, but no arraignment occurred.
Defense and Court Status
Defense attorney Alan Jackson, who has represented high-profile clients such as Kevin Spacey and Harvey Weinstein, has taken Reiner’s case. Jackson explained that Reiner will not appear in court immediately because every inmate must be medically cleared before transport. He stated, “Every inmate has to be medically cleared when they can be transported to court, and he has not been medically cleared. It’s just a procedural issue.”
Jackson also noted that he has not received any court filing and that Reiner is currently held at the Men’s County Jail. When asked whether he had spoken to his client, Jackson declined to comment, adding, “I am not commenting any further than what the procedure of the court today is.”
The bailiff indicated that the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department will handle Reiner’s status on a day-by-day basis. Jackson said, “The bailiff has indicated that the (Los Angeles) Sheriff’s Department will take it on a day-by-day basis and, hopefully, he’ll be cleared tomorrow, and we can get him here.”
Background and Arrest
Reiner was arrested by police, assisted by a U.S. Marshal Task Force, near the Expo/Vermont Metro Station in Exposition Park on Sunday evening around 9:15 p.m. He was booked into the LAPD’s Jail Division on Monday at 5:04 a.m. LAPD Gang and Narcotics Division photos show Reiner being taken into custody, handcuffed and surrounded by law enforcement.
Police have not released details of the deaths, but TMZ reported that Rob and Michele Reiner were found dead in their Brentwood home around 4:40 p.m. on Sunday. The couple had been scheduled to receive a massage at their mansion; when the masseuse knocked on the door, no one answered. The masseuse called their daughter Romy, who reportedly entered the home and discovered the scene. Romy immediately told police that her brother Nick was dangerous and should be considered a suspect.
Earlier that day, Reiner had checked into Santa Monica’s Pierside Hotel. Hotel staff later found the shower full of blood and blood on the bed. Reiner’s arrest was linked to the deaths of his parents, who were 78 and 68 years old, respectively.
Family and Addiction Context
Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele, 68, had been married for 36 years and had three children. Both parents were open about Nick’s battle with addiction, which inspired their 2015 film Being Charlie. In an interview with KTLA, Rob Reiner said, “One of the biggest problems I have with AA is the second A, which is the anonymous part. To me, people who are struggling with substance abuse, whether it’s alcohol, drugs, whether it’s sex or gambling, whatever it is, they’re in pain. They’re using these drugs or alcohol as a way of self-medicating. They have problems. They have emotional problems.”
Reiner added, “I guarantee you there’s somebody in everybody’s either family or sphere or good friend is struggling with different issues. I have eating issues. Everybody has something and so to be able to talk about it openly, I think, is positive. I think ultimately, you talk about Republicans and Democrats, what’s the one issue we’re all in agreement on? That we have to approach this thing not as punitive, not punishing people, but helping people.”
Key Takeaways
- Nick Reiner faces two counts of first-degree murder and a special circumstance of multiple murders.
- He has not yet appeared in court due to a lack of medical clearance.
- Reiner was arrested on Sunday evening and booked into the LAPD’s Jail Division on Monday.
- Rob and Michele Reiner were found dead in their Brentwood home around 4:40 p.m. Sunday.
- The case remains under investigation, with the defense awaiting further court filings.
The legal process continues as authorities work to determine the exact circumstances of the Reiner family’s deaths. Updates will follow as new information becomes available.
