Rob Reiner and wife Michele’s official cause of death revealed: medical examiner

Rob and Michele Reiner's son was charged in the double homicide of his parents on Dec. 16. (Getty Images, Mona Edwards)

Nick Reiner appeared in court for the first time Wednesday, days after he allegedly killed his parents.

Rob and Michele Reiner were found dead inside their Brentwood home on Dec. 14. Nick was arrested later that night and was subsequently charged with two counts of first degree murder on Tuesday.

Nick, 32, appeared in the courtroom Wednesday wearing a suicide prevention vest. He wore no shirt under the blue vest that went down to his knees. Nick's hands and his feet were shackled. When a judge asked if Reiner waived his rights to a speedy arraignment, Nick said, "Yes, your honor." His arraignment is set for Jan. 7.

Nick's attorney, Alan Jackson, admitted there were a myriad of issues in the case against his client while speaking to the press after court.

"First of all, and most importantly, this is a devastating tragedy that has befallen the Reiner family," Jackson said outside the courthouse. "We all recognize that, our hearts go out to the entire Reiner family. There are very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case that needs to be thoroughly but very carefully dealt with, and examined and looked at and analyzed."

Hours after the court appearance, Rob and Michele's cause of deaths were released.

They both died due to multiple sharp force injuries, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiners office. Other significant conditions contributed to their deaths, the initial report said.

The cast of "Spinal Tap." (Getty Images)

"This is Spinal Tap" star Michael McKean shared a touching tribute to Rob Reiner and his wife Michele days after the two were discovered dead at their Brentwood home.

Reiner famously directed and starred in the cult classic mockumentary.

"Rob was a dear friend and collaborator for fifty years," McKean said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital. "The loss of this good man and his wife and partner, Michele, has devastated everyone who knew and loved this family. The work will last and we’ll treasure it, but now we are all poorer for this tragedy."

McKean also appeared in "Laverne & Shirley" with Rob's ex-wife Penny Marshall. The two were married for 10 years.

Rob Reiner and his wife Michele. (Getty Images)

Rob Reiner and his wife Michele reportedly didn't think their son Nick was violent.

The "Princess Bride" director and his wife were aware that Nick was "self-destructive in many ways," but the 32-year-old had not been violent towards the family.

"If they thought he was violent, things would have been very different," a source told People magazine. "At the worst of it, it hadn’t been like this. I don’t think anyone could have ever seen anything like this coming. Nick was declining lately but he had been really bad before."

Nick was formally charged Tuesday in the stabbing deaths of his parents, Rob and Michele.

Rob Reiner, Meg Ryan (Getty Images)

Meg Ryan remembered Rob and Michele Reiner in an Instagram post shared Wednesday.

Ryan laughed alongside her "When Harry Met Sally" director as they danced around a room in an image shared on social media.

"Oh how we will miss this man," she wrote. "Thank you, Rob and Michelle, for the way you believe in true love, in fairy tales, and in laughter. Thank you for your faith in the best in people, and for your profound love of our country."

Ryan continued, "I have to believe that their story will not end with this impossible tragedy, that some good may come, some awareness raised… I don’t know, but my guess is that they would want that to be hopeful and humane, to be something that brings us all to a greater understanding of one another and to some peace."

Rob and his wife Michele were found dead Sunday inside their Brentwood home around 3:30 p.m.

Their son Nick was located and arrested at approximately 9:15 p.m. Sunday. He was booked on suspicion of murder and transferred Monday to the Twin Towers Correctional Facility, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Nick Reiner walked into a gas station Sunday in video footage captured from a Los Angeles retailer.

Wearing a blue windbreaker with a thick green and white stripe, the 32-year-old covered his head with a blue baseball cap and appeared to be carrying a red bag across his shoulder.

Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead inside their Brentwood home on Dec. 14. Their son was later arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Authorities charged Nick with the double homicide of his parents on Tuesday.

"These charges will be two counts of first degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said during a press conference.

"He also faces a special allegation that he personally use a dangerous and deadly weapon that being a knife. These charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty."

No decision has been made on if they'll seek the death penalty.

Nick Reiner was seen quickly exiting a gas station shortly before his arrest Sunday night in security camera footage obtained by Fox News.

Nick, 32, was wearing a black, green and white windbreaker and a baseball cap. The son of Rob and Michele Reiner can be seen carrying a red backpack in the CCTV footage. After his quick exit, he went back into the gas station store to grab a drink.

The security camera picked up Nick at the gas station hours after Rob and Michele Reiner were found dead inside their Brentwood home.

Nick was arrested near the University of Southern California college campus around 9:15 p.m. that same day. He was formally charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of his parents Tuesday.

LAPD police chief Jim McDonnell was unable to share the exact timing of Rob Reiner and his wife's deaths during a press conference Tuesday.

"We don't have that kind of specificity yet," Jim McDonell told reporters while announcing the charges that will be filed against Reiner's son, Nick. "We're waiting on the coroner to be able to try and determine as best they can, at this point, time of death."

Nick Reiner appeared in court Dec. 17. (Mona Edwards)

The murder case against Rob Reiner's son, Nick, appears to rely mostly on connecting dots rather than on someone directly seeing the crime happen or the suspect admitting to it, a legal expert told Fox News Digital.

Duncan Levin, the high-profile lawyer who previously defended Harvey Weinstein, noted there hasn't yet been any smoking-gun evidence — as far as we know.

"Based on what’s been made public, this looks like a case built largely on inference — timeline reconstruction, alleged access, and post-incident conduct — rather than direct eyewitness or confession evidence," Levin explained. "There has been reporting about a hotel room where significant blood was allegedly found after the killings, and if that is forensically tied to the victims and the timing, it could matter significantly of course."

"But the legal question isn’t whether something looks incriminating in isolation; it’s whether the physical evidence, forensic results, and sequence of events fit together in a way that excludes other reasonable explanations," he continued. "That is a demanding burden, and at this stage, it remains untested."

Family of Rob Reiner. (Getty Images)

Rob Reiner and wife Michele's lives were "business as usual" weeks before they were discovered dead inside their Brentwood home, according to friend and cinematographer Barry Markowitz.

Markowitz, who worked with Rob and his son Nick Reiner on "Being Charlie," stayed with the couple at the end of November while in town for a film premiere.

“Romy was in and out [of the house] and at dinner time she comes over and we all bulls--- together,” Markowitz told Page Six. “[We would] scream at the TV, we watched a movie and a basketball game. Played with the dogs. Family time. One big love fest.”

According to Markowitz, Nick seemed to be "on the upswing."

“He looked great. He was sitting and talking with the family,” Markowitz shared. “They eat dinner together, old school, and a lot of love, always a lot of love.”

The cinematographer claimed he didn't see "anything strange" between Nick and the Reiners during his five-night stay.

“He helped out, he took out the garbage, he watched TV, he washed dishes,” he recalled. “He’d bring me something to drink. He was just normal in that sense.”

Mona Edwards

Nick Reiner appeared in court for the first time Wednesday wearing a blue suicide prevention vest.

When a judge asked if Reiner waived his rights, Nick said, "Yes, your honor." His arraignment is set for Jan. 7.

The 32-year-old wore no shirt under the blue vest that went down to his knees. Nick's hands plus his feet were shackled.

Nick was booked on suspicion of murder and transferred Monday to the Twin Towers Correctional Facility, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Nick was "not medically cleared" to appear in court Tuesday, his lawyer Alan Jackson told Fox News Digital.

Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead inside their Brentwood home on Dec. 14. Their son was later arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Fox News Digital's Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this post.

Nick Reiner's defense attorney, Alan Jackson, addressed media Wednesday following Reiner's first court appearance.

After explaining that the case involved "very, very complex and serious issues," Jackson pleaded for patience.

"We ask that during this process, you allow the system to move forward in the way that it was designed to move forward, not with a rush to judgment, not with jumping to conclusions, but with restraint and with dignity and with the respect that this system and this process deserves and that the family deserves," Jackson said.

Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead inside their Brentwood home on Dec. 14. Their son was later arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department.

On Tuesday, Nick was officially charged for the murder of his mother and father.

Rob and Michele Reiner were married in 1989. (Getty Images)

Rob Reiner's children, Jake and Romy Reiner, opened up about the "unimaginable pain" the two are experiencing after the death of their parents.

"Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day," a statement provided to Fox News Digital read. "The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. They weren't just our parents; they were our best friends."

"We are grateful for the outpouring of condolences, kindness, and support we have received not only from family and friends but people from all walks of life."

"We now ask for respect and privacy, for speculation to be tempered with compassion and humanity, and for our parents to be remembered for the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave."

The statement was released shortly after Nick Reiner's arraignment was pushed to Jan. 7. Authorities formally charged Nick in connection to the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner on Tuesday.

Alan Jackson in court

Nick Reiner's attorney, Alan Jackson, admitted there were a myriad of issues in the case against his client.

"First of all, and most importantly, this is a devastating tragedy that has befallen the Reiner family," Jackson said while addressing media Wednesday.

"We all recognize that, our hearts go out to the entire Reiner family. There are very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case that needs to be thoroughly but very carefully dealt with, and examined and looked at and analyzed."

Reiner, 32, appeared in the courtroom wearing a suicide prevention vest. When a judge asked if Reiner waived his rights, Nick said, "Yes, your honor." His arraignment is set for Jan. 7.

Nick was booked on suspicion of murder and transferred Monday to the Twin Towers Correctional Facility, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Nick was "not medically cleared" to appear in court Tuesday, his lawyer Alan Jackson told Fox News Digital.

Nick Reiner's defense team asked for a continuance Wednesday in court.

Reiner, 32, appeared in the courtroom wearing a suicide prevention vest. When a judge asked if Reiner waived his rights, Nick said, "Yes, your honor." His arraignment is set for Jan. 7.

Nick was booked on suspicion of murder and transferred Monday to the Twin Towers Correctional Facility, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Nick was "not medically cleared" to appear in court Tuesday, his lawyer Alan Jackson told Fox News Digital.

LAPD Deputy Chief  Alan Hamilton confirmed details of Rob Reiner's son's arrest during Tuesday's press conference.

"He was arrested in a public area in the Exposition Park area near the University of Southern California campus," Hamilton said. "He was approached by the officers, and he was arrested without incident. There was no indication that he was going to resist or anything like that. He didn't flee or anything like that. He was taken into custody without issue and he was transported to our police, actually."

Nick Reiner arrived to Los Angeles court on Wednesday wearing a suicide prevention vest, days after he allegedly killed his parents.

The 32-year-old wore no shirt under the blue vest that went down to his knees. Nick's hands plus his feet were shackled.

Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead inside their Brentwood home on Dec. 14. Their son was later arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Authorities charged Nick with the double homicide of his parents on Tuesday.

"These charges will be two counts of first degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said during a press conference. "He also faces a special allegation that he personally use a dangerous and deadly weapon that being a knife. These charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty."

No decision has been made on if they'll seek the death penalty.

Nick Reiner is expected in court this morning for the first time since he was accused of murdering his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner.

On Sunday night, Nick was arrested under the suspicion of murdering Rob and Michele Reiner. Their bodies were found in their Brentwood home prior to Nick’s arrest.

Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said during Tuesday's press conference that prosecutors would review the case for any evidence of mental illness in his background. 

"We anticipate again after the arraignment, that the process will go through the normal process," Hochman said. "A case like this goes through at the appropriate time. If there is evidence of mental illness, it will be presented in court, and in whatever detail the defense seeks to do that."

Reiner, 32, retained powerhouse lawyer Alan Jackson to lead his defense.

Alan Jackson, the former Los Angeles prosecutor turned star defense attorney, is taking on one of his darkest Hollywood cases yet, defending Nick Reiner, the son of filmmaker Rob Reiner, who is accused of killing both of his parents in their Brentwood home.

The Reiners were found dead with stab wounds at their home in the ritzy community of Brentwood, California.

After a career of marquee cases, this may be his biggest yet. And he's squaring off against the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office, where he was previously a top prosecutor.

In 2009, Jackson landed a conviction for Phil Spector, the once-famed music producer who gunned down actress Lana Clarkson in his California mansion, dubbed the Pyrenees Castle.

After leaving the DA's office, Jackson went on to defend Harvey Weinstein and Karen Read.

Read more about Alan Jackson's high-profile cases.

Fox News Digital's Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said they will consider the Reiner family's thoughts when deciding whether to pursue the death penalty against Nick Reiner

During Tuesday's press conference, the Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said they will take the “thoughts and desires of the family into consideration” when deciding whether to pursue the death penalty against Nick Reiner - who is suspected of killing his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner.

However, if the death penalty is pursued, Nick would not be executed due to the 2019 moratorium instituted from California Governor Gavin Newsom. The moratorium could be overturned once a new governor is elected in 2026.

"No matter how you look at it, this case is a tragedy," San Diego criminal defense lawyer David P. Shapiro  told Fox News Digital. "Two individuals appear to have been brutally murdered. In essence, a third life may be lost in the event Nick Reiner is convicted and spends the rest of his life in prison. The family’s heartache must be immense."

Nick was arrested on Dec. 14 at 9:15 p.m. near the University of Southern California campus.

On Tuesday, Nick was officially charged for the murder of his mother and father.

Rob and Michele Reiner were found dead inside their Brentwood home on Dec. 14. (Getty Images)

The Los Angeles County District Attorney who announced Nick Reiner would be charged in his parents' murder lives nearby the Brentwood home where the couple was found dead.

DA Nathan Hochman was spotted walking by Rob Reiner and his wife Michele's home Tuesday night, hours after Nick was officially charged.

Hochman, who was out walking his dog, told Fox News that he lives nearby.

Rob and his wife Michele were found dead Sunday around 3:30 p.m. Their bodies were allegedly discovered by their daughter, Romy.

Nick was arrested on suspicion of murder that same day and charged Tuesday in the double homicide.

Fox News' Matt Finn contributed to this report.

Rob Reiner's son was charged in connection to the double homicide of his father and mother. (Getty Images)

Nick Reiner allegedly asked three strange questions to partygoers at Conan O'Brien's Christmas party Saturday, hours before Rob Reiner and his wife Michele's bodies were discovered at their Brentwood home.

“What’s your name? What’s your last name? Are you famous?” Nick asked comedian Bill Hader, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Nick allegedly interrupted the "Saturday Night Live" comedian, sources told NBC News. After Hader told Nick that he was in the middle of a private conversation, a source told the outlet that Nick just stood there and stared before "storming off."

A rep for Bill Hader had no comment when reached by Fox News Digital.

Family friends of Rob and Michele told the Los Angeles Times that Nick also got into an argument with his parents at the event, one night before their death.

Fox News Digital's Tracy Wright contributed to this report.

Romy Reiner discovered her dad, Rob Reiner's, lifeless body after a massage therapist was unable to gain access to the Reiners' home

Prior to discovering her father's body, Romy Reiner - the 27-year-old daughter of Rob and Michele Reiner - was called by a massage therapist who had arrived at the Reiners' home for an appointment, but was unable to gain access, according to the New York Times.

Romy, who ran over to her parents' home with a roommate, discovered her father's lifeless body and ran outside. Her roommate was the one to call 911, according to the NYT.

She did not see her mother inside, the publication reported. Paramedics were the ones to inform Romy that her mother had died.

Rob and Michele were found dead inside their Brentwood home on Sunday around 3:30 p.m. The couple's son, Nick, had been living at the family home on-and-off for some time.

Nick was arrested on Dec. 14 at 9:15 p.m. near the University of Southern California campus.

On Tuesday, Nick was officially charged for the murder of his mother and father.

According to a press release shared with Fox News Digital, District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman says "we owe it to their memory to pursue justice and accountability for the lives that were taken."

“Prosecuting cases involving family violence are some of the most challenging and heart-wrenching we face because of the intimate and often brutal nature of the crimes. Rob Reiner was one of the greatest filmmakers of his generation. His murder and his wife of more than 35 years, Michele Singer Reiner’s murder, are shocking and tragic. We owe it to their memory to pursue justice and accountability for the lives that were taken," District Attorney Hochman's statement read.

Footage obtained by the New York Post showing the moment Nick Reiner raised his hands to surrender to Los Angeles authorities has surfaced days after he allegedly murdered his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.

Nick will reportedly make his first court appearance on Wednesday, according to The Associated Press. This comes after his attorneys said Tuesday that he had not been medically cleared to appear in court.

Nick Reiner (Getty Images)

Nick Reiner was initially scheduled to appear in court Tuesday for the first time, but his lawyer, Alan Jackson, confirmed to Fox News Digital that "he is not medically cleared to be transported to the court."

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman announced double murder charges against Nick following a press conference with LAPD Chief Jim McDonell.

"These charges will be two counts of first degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders," Hochman said. "He also faces a special allegation that he personally use a dangerous and deadly weapon that being a knife. These charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty."

Additionally, the youngest son of "The Princess Bride" director and his wife will be "going through medical clearance."

"Something that everybody who goes who gets arrested and gets held in the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department jail goes through," Hochman said. "Once he is medically cleared, he will be brought to court to be arraigned on these charges."

Nick was located and arrested at approximately 9:15 p.m. Sunday. He was booked on suspicion of murder and transferred Monday to the Twin Towers Correctional Facility, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Rob and his wife Michele were found dead Sunday inside their Brentwood home around 3:30 p.m.

Rob Reiner and his son Nick (Photo by Rommel Demano/Getty Images)

Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner, were found dead on Sunday, Dec. 14 in their Brentwood, California home.

Their son, Nick Reiner, was later confirmed to be a suspect for the murder of the famous Hollywood director and his wife, and was booked for the crime. He was initially booked on $4 million bail, but was then held without bail and was transferred to the Twin Towers Correctional Facility.

Neighbors who spoke to Fox News Digital said that Nick had been to rehab years ago, and she thought he was "back to normal." He has been open about his struggles with addiction in the past, even teaming up with his dad to write the 2016 movie, "Being Charlie," about his experience.

While discussing the movie in September 2025, Rob told NPR that Nick had "been great...hasn't been doing drugs for over six years," adding,"He's in a really good place."

He previously told BUILD, YouTube’s live interview series in 2016 that making the film with his son "brought us closer together" and helped him understand his son a lot more.

Nick Reiner at "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" Los Angeles Premiere held at The Egyptian Theatre on Sept. 9, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif. (Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images)

As new developments emerge following the horrific deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, questions continue to surface about the double-homicide investigation and what's next for their son, suspected killer Nick Reiner — who was charged with two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances.

Though he was expected to appear in court on Tuesday, Nick was "not medically cleared" to do so, his lawyer, Alan Jackson, confirmed to Fox News Digital.

Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer Daniel Rubin told Fox News Digital that Nick's defense strategy will depend on a number of things — including his mental competency.

"His defense strategy will depend on a number of factors: the weight and admissibility of any collected evidence, the testimony of any witnesses, events leading up to the deaths, the defendant's mental health issues, and any possible mitigating factors," said Rubin.

"If he is mentally incompetent, he will be ordered to be assessed for ‘competency’ and he will need to be evaluated by specialists to ascertain his mental competency," Rubin continued. "If he is found ‘incompetent,’ he will need to be medicated or treated to the point where he will be able to assist in his own defense and understand the proceedings. That could take several weeks to several months."

His defense team could also request a psychiatric evaluation, according to former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani. "The defense may ask for a psychiatric evaluation to argue not guilty by reason of insanity," Rahmani told Fox News Digital.

"But for that, you have to be unable to know right from wrong. If you’re capable enough to have an argument with your parents at a Christmas party, you are not insane."

Fox News Digital's Tracy Wright and Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report.

Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner at the SNL 50 celebration (Photo by John Nacion/Variety via Getty Images)

Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Reiner were found dead in their Brentwood, California home on Dec. 14.

After news of the beloved Hollywood director's death broke, many of Hollywood's biggest stars took to social media to share their heartfelt tributes.

Actress Kate Hudson shared a photo of Rob and Michele, as well as one of her and Rob on set together, with a lengthy tribute.

"The loss of Rob and Michele is absolutely devastating," she began. "They were not only important to our close community but Rob touched so many millions globally with his art. Rob was one of the greats. Inspiring so many of us with his ability to craft films that are humorous, powerful, inspirational. He knew no genre, only great storytelling."

Jerry Seinfeld also honored Rob on Instagram, sharing a photo of the two of them on stage with Rob's dad, Carl Reiner, writing "Next to Larry David and George Shapiro, Rob Reiner had the biggest influence on my career."

"Our show would have never happened without him. He saw something no one else could. When nobody at the network liked the early episodes, he saved us from cancellation.That I was working with Carl Reiner’s son, who happened to be one of the kindest people in show business, seemed unreal."

He continued: "I was naive at the time to how much his passion for us meant. Rob and Michele married right as our show was starting and they became an imprint for me of how it’s supposed to work, each one broadening the other. Their death, together, is impossibly sad."

Arnold Schwarzenegger took to X to share his thoughts about the late director, calling him a "rare talent."

"In Hollywood, Rob Reiner was a rare talent: he could act, he could produce, he could direct, and he was amazing at all three," he wrote. "He was a creative genius who left us some of the greatest movies of all time, and he was a wonderful friend. My thoughts are with his family."

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman and LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell (Getty Images)

Nick Reiner was charged Tuesday with two counts of murder with the special circumstance allegation of multiple murders.

Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman confirmed Nick, 32, also "faces a special allegation that he personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon, a knife."

The charges Nick is set to face carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.

"Now, prosecuting these cases involving family members are some of the most challenging and most heart wrenching cases that this office faces because of the intimate and often brutal nature of the crimes involved," Hochman said during a press conference Tuesday.

DA Nathan Hochman said his office "will take the thoughts and desires of the family into consideration in making our decision."

Hochman noted that prosecutors would review the case for any evidence of mental illness in his background. 

"We anticipate again after the arraignment, that the process will go through the normal process," Hochman said. "A case like this goes through at the appropriate time. If there is evidence of mental illness, it will be presented in court, and in whatever detail the defense seeks to do that."

Hochman claimed he doesn’t anticipate the case to move fast, but insisted it will be “very thorough.”

“These are some of the most serious charges that a DA's office can bring against anyone,” the DA said. “And we anticipate that the discovery that we will produce to the defense will be robust. It will be very involved. They'll want adequate time to review it, though. Again, they'll want to go through every single factor that they can ascertain in the defense.”

Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner, were both found dead at their Brentwood home on Sunday. The acclaimed movie director was 78 and Michele was 68.

Fox News Digital's Lauryn Overhultz contributed to this report.