The entertainment world is reeling from the tragic deaths of Hollywood icon Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife, photographer Michele Singer Reiner, 68, who were found dead in their Brentwood home on Sunday afternoon. Their son, Nick Reiner, 32, has been arrested and is being held without bail in connection with their murders.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell confirmed that officers responded to a call for medical aid at the Reiner residence around 3:40 p.m. PST. Upon arrival, they discovered Rob and Michele Reiner with fatal stab wounds. The couple's daughter, Romy Reiner, 28, is believed to have found their bodies.
The investigation quickly led to Nick Reiner, who was taken into custody at approximately 9:15 p.m. Sunday. While initial reports indicated a $4 million bail, authorities later ordered him held without bail. As of Monday, Nick Reiner is in custody, and the case is slated to be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney on Tuesday.
News of the tragedy has prompted an outpouring of grief and shock. A family spokesperson released a statement expressing their heartbreak and requesting privacy during this difficult time.
Beyond the shock of the crime, the arrest of Nick Reiner has cast a spotlight on the complex and often strained relationship between him and his father. Nick has been open about his struggles with substance abuse, revealing that he entered rehab for the first time at age 15. He spent years battling addiction, experiencing periods of homelessness and cycling through numerous treatment facilities. "I was homeless in Maine. I was homeless in New Jersey. I was homeless in Texas," Nick told People in 2016.
In 2015, Rob Reiner directed "Being Charlie," a film co-written by Nick that drew heavily from Nick's personal experiences with addiction and recovery. The film tells the story of a young man's battle with substance abuse and his journey through rehab. Rob Reiner called it the most personal project of his career.
Despite the difficult subject matter, working on "Being Charlie" appeared to strengthen the bond between father and son. Nick stated that he didn't feel a strong connection with his father during his childhood, but that changed when they collaborated on the film. "We didn't bond a lot as kids, like he really liked baseball, I like basketball," Nick said in a 2016 interview. "I think the bonding came not from the story itself, but from the fact that we were working on a movie together". Rob Reiner expressed hope that making the movie with Nick made him a better father.
Rob Reiner, the son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, was a celebrated filmmaker, actor, and activist. He directed iconic films such as "This Is Spinal Tap," "Stand By Me," "The Princess Bride," "When Harry Met Sally...," and "A Few Good Men". Michele Singer Reiner was a photographer and creative partner to Rob, even influencing the ending of "When Harry Met Sally...". They married in 1989 and had three children: Jake, Nick, and Romy. Rob also had an adopted daughter, Tracy Reiner, from his previous marriage to Penny Marshall.
The Reiner family has requested privacy as they navigate this tragedy. The investigation into the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner is ongoing.
