Rob Reiner’s Son Charged With Murder of Parents

Rob Reiner’s son, Nick Reiner, 32, was charged on Tuesday with two counts of first‑degree murder after the 78‑year‑old actor and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead from stab wounds in their Brentwood home.

Charges and Announcement

District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the charges at a news conference alongside Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell. Hochman said: “Their loss is beyond tragic and we will commit ourselves to bringing their murderer to justice.” Prosecutors added special circumstances of multiple murders and a special allegation that the defendant used a dangerous weapon, a knife, which could lead to a harsher sentence. Hochman noted that his office has not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty.

Arrest and Early Court Appearance

Nick Reiner was arrested a few hours after the discovery of his parents’ bodies, in the Exposition Park area near the University of Southern California, about 14 miles from the crime scene. He did not resist during the arrest. The defendant was expected to appear in court earlier that Tuesday, but his attorney, Alan Jackson, said he was not brought from jail to the courthouse for medical reasons, and the appearance was postponed to Wednesday.

Victims: A Legacy in Film and Activism

Rob Reiner, 78, was an Emmy‑winning star of the sitcom “All in the Family” and the director of classics such as “When Harry Met Sally…” and “The Princess Bride.” He was also a longtime liberal activist. Michele Singer Reiner was a photographer, movie producer and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. The couple had been married for 36 years. Their deaths have shocked the Hollywood community, where they were widely beloved.

Investigation and Motive

Investigators believe both victims died from stab wounds. A law‑enforcement official told the Associated Press that the details could not be discussed publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. Police have not released a motive for the killings.

Family and Public Tributes

Representatives for the Reiner family did not respond to requests for comment. Several public figures paid tribute:

• Kathy Bates, who starred in Reiner’s 1990 film “Misery,” said: “I loved Rob. He was brilliant and kind, a man who made films of every genre to challenge himself as an artist. He also fought courageously for his political beliefs. He changed the course of my life. Michele was a gifted photographer.”
• Former President Bill Clinton called the couple “good, generous people who made everyone who knew them better.” Clinton added: “Hillary and I are heartbroken by the tragic deaths of our friends Rob and Michele Reiner. They inspired and uplifted millions through their work in film and television.”

Nick Reiner’s Background

Three months before the tragedy, Nick was photographed with his parents and siblings at the premiere of his father’s film “Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues.” He has spoken publicly about struggles with addiction, cycling in and out of treatment facilities and bouts of homelessness during his teen years. In 2016, the father and son co‑created the film “Being Charlie,” a non‑autobiographical story that incorporated elements of their lives. Reiner told the AP in 2016: “It forced us to understand ourselves better than we had. I told Nick while we were making it, I said, ‘You know it doesn’t matter, whatever happens to this thing, we won already.'”

Legal Representation

Nick Reiner’s attorney, Alan Jackson, is a high‑profile lawyer who represented Harvey Weinstein at his Los Angeles trial and Karen Read at her Massachusetts trial. Jackson was a central figure in the HBO documentary on the Read case.

Political Context

The Reiners were outspoken advocates for liberal causes and major Democratic donors. President Donald Trump, on Monday, blamed Rob Reiner’s outspoken opposition to the president for the actor‑director’s killing in a social media post that made an unsubstantiated claim.

Key Takeaways

• Nick Reiner, 32, charged with two counts of first‑degree murder for the deaths of his parents.
• Victims: 78‑year‑old actor Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner, found with stab wounds in Brentwood.
• Prosecutors added special circumstances and a knife allegation, potentially increasing the sentence.
• No motive released; police have not discussed details publicly.

The case has drawn national attention, intertwining a Hollywood tragedy with political commentary, and it remains a deeply personal loss for the Reiner family and the broader Los Angeles community.