Legendary Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, have been found dead with fatal knife wounds at their Los Angeles mansion. Their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, is in police custody and being questioned in connection with the incident, which detectives are treating as a double homicide.
A Grim Discovery in Beverly Hills
The Los Angeles Fire Department was called to the couple's sprawling six-bedroom estate at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. Upon arrival, first responders discovered the bodies of a 78-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman, later confirmed to be the renowned filmmaker and his wife. The grim discovery was reportedly made by the couple's daughter, Romy, who lives across the street.
According to reports from TMZ, Romy informed police that a family member 'should be a suspect' because they are 'dangerous'. The incident is understood to have followed a heated argument with a relative, believed to be Nick, which turned deadly.
Son's Troubled History and Family Dynamics
Nick Reiner has been public about his long-standing struggles with drug addiction and homelessness. He first entered rehabilitation around his 15th birthday and revealed in a 2016 interview with People magazine that he had been to rehab 18 times. 'I was homeless in Maine. I was homeless in New Jersey. I was homeless in Texas,' he said at the time. 'I spent nights on the street. I spent weeks on the street. It was not fun.'
The father and son had previously collaborated professionally. Nick co-wrote the 2016 semi-autobiographical film 'Being Charlie', which his father directed. The movie depicted the strained relationship between an actor father and his addict son, closely mirroring their own experiences. The film concludes with an apology from the father character for his harsh treatment, something Rob Reiner said he had given his son in real life.
Police Investigation and Celebrity Mourning
Los Angeles Police Department detectives confirmed they are investigating the deaths as homicides. LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton stated that there were no signs of forced entry into the residence. He noted that the bodies remained in the home as police awaited a warrant to re-enter and begin a full investigation, having determined there was no ongoing threat.
Hamilton added that no suspect had been formally identified or interviewed as such at the time of his press conference, clarifying that no one was officially in custody, contradicting earlier reports. A heavy police presence remained at the home on Sunday evening.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the Hollywood community. Neighbours told ABC7 that comedy stars Billy Crystal and Larry David, who starred in Reiner's classic 'When Harry Met Sally', separately visited the crime scene. One witness said Crystal 'looked like he was about to cry' before he left.
A family spokesperson confirmed the deaths, saying: 'It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.' The couple are also survived by their other children, Jake and Romy, and Rob Reiner's adopted daughter from his first marriage to Penny Marshall, Tracy Reiner.
