Nick Reiner charged with double murder counts in deaths of parents Rob Reiner, Michele Singer
The Los Angeles District Attorney charged Nick Reiner with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, whose bodies were discovered at their Brentwood home Sunday. Rob Reiner was best known for his "Meathead" role in "All in the Family," and found directorial success with "When Harry Met Sally."
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."
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.
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.
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