Nick Reiner, 32, stepped into a Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday, facing two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of his parents, actor-director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner.
Court Appearance and Charges
Reiner entered the large Los Angeles courtroom from behind glass in a custody area where newly charged defendants are arraigned. He was shackled and wearing a blue, padded suicide prevention smock used in jail. He did not enter a plea, simply saying “yes, your honor” to agree to a postponed arraignment set for Jan. 7 at his attorney’s request. He is being held without bail.
Family Statement
Nick’s older brother Jake and younger sister Romy released a statement through a family spokesperson. They wrote, “Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day. The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends.” The siblings added that they are “grateful for the outpouring of condolences, kindness, and support we have received not only from family and friends but people from all walks of life. We now ask for respect and privacy, for speculation to be tempered with compassion and humanity, and for our parents to be remembered for the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave.”
Medical Examiner Findings
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner released its initial findings on Wednesday, stating the primary cause of death for both Rob and Michele Reiner was “multiple sharp force injuries.” The office said more investigation is needed before further details will be revealed, but the bodies can now be released to the family. The cause of death was consistent with police describing the couple as having stab wounds.
Attorney Comments
After the hearing, Nick Reiner’s attorney, Alan Jackson, called the case “a devastating tragedy that has befallen the Reiner family.” He said the proceedings will be very complex and asked that the circumstances be met “not with a rush to judgment, not with jumping to conclusions.” Jackson declined to answer shouted questions from dozens of reporters surrounding him and has not addressed the guilt or innocence of his client.
Incident Details
Nick Reiner was charged Tuesday with killing Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70. The District Attorney’s Office said the couple were killed sometime in the early morning hours of Sunday and were found dead late in the afternoon in their home in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood on the west side of Los Angeles. Authorities said Reiner did not resist when he was arrested hours later in the Exposition Park area near the University of Southern California, about 14 miles (22.5 kilometers) from the crime scene.
The two counts of first-degree murder carry special circumstances of multiple murders and an allegation that the defendant used a dangerous weapon, a knife. The additions could mean a greater sentence. District Attorney Nathan Hochman said at a Tuesday news conference that his office has not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty.
Hollywood Reactions
Rob Reiner was the Emmy-winning star of the sitcom “All in the Family” who later directed films such as “Stand by Me,” “The Princess Bride,” and “When Harry Met Sally….” Meg Ryan paid tribute to the Reiners on Wednesday in an Instagram post, saying, “Thank you, Rob and Michelle, for the way you believe in true love, in fairy tales, and in laughter. Thank you for your faith in the best in people, and for your profound love of our country,” Ryan wrote. She added, “I have to believe that their story will not end with this impossible tragedy.”
Billy Crystal, a close friend of Rob Reiner for decades, joined a group that included Albert Brooks, Martin Short and Larry David in releasing a statement mourning and celebrating the couple on Tuesday night. The statement said, “They were a special force together – dynamic, unselfish and inspiring. We were their friends, and we will miss them forever.”
Rob Reiner also has another daughter, Tracy Reiner, from his first marriage to actor-director Penny Marshall.
Legal Team
Nick Reiner’s attorney, Alan Jackson, is a high-profile defense attorney and former Los Angeles County prosecutor who represented Harvey Weinstein at his Los Angeles trial and Karen Read at her intensely followed trials in Massachusetts. He was a central figure in the HBO documentary on the Read case. On the prosecution side will be Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian, whose recent cases included the Menendez brothers’ attempt at resentencing and the trial of Robert Durst.
Authorities have not said anything about a motive for the killings and would give few details when asked at the news conference.
Key Takeaways
- Nick Reiner, 32, arraigned on two first-degree murder charges for killing his parents.
- The medical examiner cited multiple sharp-force injuries as the cause of death.
- Hollywood figures, including Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, paid tribute to the late couple.
The case remains in its early stages, with the next arraignment set for January 7 and no decision yet made on pursuing the death penalty. The Reiner family continues to mourn while the investigation proceeds.
