Nick Reiner, the 32‑year‑old son of famed director Rob Reiner, was arrested Monday on suspicion of murdering his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, whose bodies were found Sunday in their Brentwood home.
Arrest and Charges
Reiner was taken into custody without bail and remains in jail Tuesday morning. He faces no criminal charges yet, as prosecutors have not filed any indictments. The case will be presented to Los Angeles County prosecutors for consideration of criminal charges.
Legal Representation
Defense attorney Alan Jackson confirmed on Tuesday that he has been retained as Reiner’s counsel. Jackson, who has represented high‑profile clients—including lead defense attorney for Karen Read in her murder trial, which concluded with Read’s acquittal earlier this year—spoke with reporters outside the courthouse about Reiner’s expected first appearance.
Medical Clearance and Court Appearance
Jackson said it was unclear when Reiner would appear in front of a judge, noting that a medical clearance was still pending. He described the matter as a procedural issue, citing the sheriff’s department’s requirement for medical screenings for court remands and new bookings. Jackson expressed hope that Reiner would be cleared to appear later this week.
No criminal charges had been filed on Tuesday, and Reiner remained in jail without bail ahead of a possible court appearance sometime this week.
Investigation Details
A source close to Reiner confirmed to NBC News that Reiner and his wife sustained apparent stab wounds. The medical examiner has not yet released an official cause of death. Details about a possible motive for the killings were not immediately available.
Los Angeles County prosecutors planned to speak about the case at a 1 p.m. Tuesday news conference.
Family Background and Public Life
Reiner’s past struggles with drug addiction and public statements about homelessness have been widely reported. In 2016, he told People that he had cycled in and out of treatment facilities and experienced bouts of homelessness: “I spent nights on the street. I spent weeks on the street. It was not fun,” he added, “If I wanted to do it my way and not go to the programs they were suggesting, then I had to be homeless.”
Reiner was the second of Rob and Michele’s three children. Sources told NBC News that he had been disruptive at a recent party.
Film Collaboration and Personal History
In 2015, Rob and Nick worked together on the coming‑of‑age film Being Charlie, directed by Rob and co‑written by Nick. In a 2016 interview with the Associated Press, they discussed the project: “It forced us to understand ourselves better than we had,” Rob told the AP. “I told Nick while we were making it, I said, ‘You know it doesn’t matter, whatever happens to this thing, we won already. This has already been good.’ We’ve worked through a lot of stuff.”
In September, the family appeared together at the Los Angeles premiere of Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues.
Hollywood Reaction
The deaths of Rob Reiner—a celebrated director known for films such as When Harry Met Sally…, A Few Good Men, and This Is Spinal Tap—and Michele Reiner, a talent photographer and producer, stunned the Hollywood community. Colleagues, political figures, and others offered tributes, underscoring the impact of the loss.
Key Takeaways
- Nick Reiner is held without bail after arrest for the murders of parents Rob and Michele Reiner. The case will be presented to county prosecutors, and no criminal charges have been filed yet. Family members and Hollywood figures have offered tributes, while the investigation continues.
- Reiner’s past struggles with drug addiction and public statements about homelessness have been widely reported. The case remains under close scrutiny as authorities work to determine motive and official cause of death.
- The investigation includes reports of apparent stab wounds to Reiner and his wife, with the medical examiner yet to release an official cause of death.
Closing
As the legal process unfolds, Reiner’s defense team awaits medical clearance before a court appearance can be scheduled. The Los Angeles County prosecutors are set to address the case publicly at the upcoming news conference, while the broader community mourns the loss of two prominent figures in the entertainment industry.
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