The son of legendary Hollywood director Rob Reiner is set to be formally charged in a Los Angeles court this Wednesday, in a case that has horrified the entertainment world. Nick Reiner, 32, faces arraignment on two counts of first-degree murder for the alleged killing of his parents.
A Devastating Allegation in a Celebrity Family
Nick Reiner has been held in custody without bail since last month, shortly after the bodies of his father, 78-year-old Rob Reiner, and his mother, 70-year-old photographer Michele Singer Reiner, were discovered at their Los Angeles home. Authorities claim he fatally stabbed the couple.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed the deaths as homicide, caused by "multiple sharp force injuries." The report indicates the couple died just minutes after the attack. The charges include the special circumstance of multiple murders and an allegation for using a dangerous weapon.
A History of Personal Struggles
Court documents and reports reveal a backdrop of personal difficulty for the accused. Nick Reiner has a known history of battling addiction and mental illness. He previously collaborated with his father on the film Being Charlie, a project said to be loosely inspired by his own experiences with rehabilitation.
According to the Los Angeles Times, he had been prescribed medication to treat schizophrenia for an unknown period prior to the killings. His attorney, Alan Jackson, has publicly asked for restraint, stating there are "very complex and serious issues" surrounding this "devastating tragedy."
Currently held in solitary confinement under frequent monitoring, Nick Reiner was recently taken off suicide watch. A source told People magazine that medical professionals have assessed him as having a "mental disability."
Hollywood Mourns an Iconic Couple
The news last month prompted an immense outpouring of grief from across the film industry and beyond. Rob Reiner was celebrated for directing classics like This Is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally, and The Princess Bride. Michele Reiner was a respected producer and photographer, notably taking the portrait of Donald Trump used on his book The Art of the Deal. The pair were also prominent advocates for liberal political causes.
Tributes poured in from friends including comedians Larry David, Billy Crystal, and Martin Short, as well as former US President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama. In a joint statement, friends described the couple as "a special force together – dynamic, unselfish and inspiring."
If convicted on the first-degree murder charges, Nick Reiner could potentially face the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Wednesday's court appearance will be his first in three weeks, marking the next step in a legal process that has captivated and saddened the public.
