In a shocking tragedy that has gripped Hollywood and beyond, Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of acclaimed actor-director Rob Reiner, made his first court appearance on Wednesday. He faces two counts of first-degree murder for the alleged killing of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.
Court Appearance and Charges
Nick Reiner did not enter a plea during the brief hearing at a Los Angeles courtroom. Appearing from behind glass in a custody area, he was shackled and wearing a blue, padded suicide prevention smock. His arraignment was postponed to January 7 at his attorney's request, and he is being held without bail. The 32-year-old spoke only to agree to the new date.
The charges were formally filed on Tuesday. According to authorities, the couple was killed in the early morning hours of Sunday in their upscale Brentwood home. They were found late Sunday afternoon. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office, releasing initial findings on Wednesday, listed the primary cause of death for both as "multiple sharp force injuries," consistent with stab wounds.
A Family's Devastating Loss
In their first public statement since the murders, Nick Reiner's older brother Jake and younger sister Romy expressed their profound grief. "Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day," they said. They described their parents as not just mom and dad, but as their "best friends."
The statement, released through a family spokesperson, thanked people for their support and asked for privacy. They urged the public to "temper speculation with compassion and humanity" and to remember their parents for the incredible lives they lived.
Legal Proceedings and High-Profile Attorneys
Nick Reiner's defense attorney, Alan Jackson, addressed the media after the hearing, calling the case a "devastating tragedy." He urged caution against a rush to judgment, noting the proceedings will be complex. Jackson, a former prosecutor, has represented high-profile clients like Harvey Weinstein.
On the prosecution side, Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian will lead the case. The charges include special circumstances for multiple murders and use of a dangerous weapon—a knife—which could lead to a greater sentence or even the death penalty. District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated that a decision on seeking the death penalty has not yet been made.
Police reported that Nick Reiner was arrested without resistance hours after the crime in the Exposition Park area, roughly 14 miles from the Brentwood crime scene. Authorities have not disclosed any possible motive.
Hollywood Mourns an Iconic Couple
The entertainment world is reeling from the loss. Rob Reiner, 78, was the Emmy-winning star of "All in the Family" and the director of beloved films like "Stand by Me," "The Princess Bride," and "When Harry Met Sally..." He met Michele Singer, 70, during the filming of the latter classic rom-com, a meeting that inspired him to give the film its famous happy ending.
Meg Ryan, the star of "When Harry Met Sally...," paid tribute on Instagram, thanking the couple for their belief in "true love, in fairy tales, and in laughter." Close friend Billy Crystal joined Albert Brooks, Martin Short, and Larry David in a joint statement, remembering the couple as a "special force together - dynamic, unselfish and inspiring."
Rob Reiner is also survived by a daughter, Tracy Reiner, from his first marriage to Penny Marshall. As the legal process begins, a family and an industry are left to grapple with an incomprehensible loss.
