Nick Reiner, the son of Rob Reiner, is expected to make his first court appearance Wednesday after being charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his parents.
What You Need To Know
- Nick Reiner, 32, was charged Tuesday with killing the 78-year-old actor and director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner
- In addition to two counts of first-degree murder, prosecutors filed special circumstances alleging multiple murders and added a special allegation that a dangerous weapon, a knife, was used
- Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said his office has not yet decided whether it will seek the death penalty
- Several close friends of the Reiners, including Billy Crystal, Albert Brooks, Martin Short and Larry David, released a statement Tuesday honoring the couple
Nick Reiner, 32, was formally charged Tuesday in the killings of his parents, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced during a news conference alongside Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell.
“Their loss is beyond tragic and we will commit ourselves to bringing their murderer to justice,” Hochman said.
Prosecutors said the added special circumstances and weapon allegation could result in a more severe sentence if Reiner is convicted.
Hochman confirmed that a decision on whether to pursue the death penalty has not yet been made.
“This case is heartbreaking and deeply personal, not only for the Reiner family and their loved ones but for our entire city,” McDonnell said.
The charges were announced two days after Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner were found dead from apparent stab wounds inside their home in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Police said Nick Reiner was arrested hours later in the Exposition Park area near the University of Southern California, about 14 miles from the crime scene, and did not resist.
Rob Reiner was an Emmy-winning actor best known for All in the Family and later became a celebrated director, with films including When Harry Met Sally… and The Princess Bride. He was also a longtime liberal activist. Michele Singer Reiner was a photographer, film producer and outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. The couple had been married for 36 years.
Friends of the couple, including Billy Crystal, Albert Brooks, Martin Short and Larry David, released a statement Tuesday night remembering them.
“They were a special force together — dynamic, unselfish and inspiring,” the statement said. “We were their friends, and we will miss them forever.”
Nick Reiner was originally scheduled to appear in court Tuesday, but his attorney, Alan Jackson, said he was not transported from jail for medical reasons, leading to a postponement.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Reiner could enter a plea, have an arraignment scheduled, or face another delay if the same medical issue arises. He is currently being held without bail.
Jackson is a prominent defense attorney and former Los Angeles County prosecutor who previously represented Harvey Weinstein during his Los Angeles trial and Karen Read in her high-profile Massachusetts cases. He also appeared prominently in an HBO documentary about the Read case.
Prosecutors will be led by Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian, who has handled notable cases including the Menendez brothers’ resentencing effort and the trial of Robert Durst.
Authorities have not disclosed a possible motive for the killings and declined to provide further details during the news conference.