Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of legendary Hollywood director Rob Reiner, has made his first court appearance charged with the murders of his father and mother. The defendant appeared blank-faced and shackled during a brief hearing at a Los Angeles criminal court.
A Devastating Tragedy for a Hollywood Family
Reiner was formally charged on Tuesday with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of his father, the iconic 78-year-old director Rob Reiner, and his 70-year-old mother, acclaimed photographer Michele Singer Reiner. The couple, married for 36 years, were found slain in their $13.5 million Brentwood home on Sunday afternoon.
During the three-minute hearing on December 17, Reiner was dressed in an anti-suicide smock and sat hunched in the dock. A judge had ordered that no photographs be taken, leaving courtroom artists to capture his expression. He did not enter a plea and spoke only three words, replying "Yes, your honor," when asked if his arraignment should be continued.
Legal Proceedings and a Plea for Restraint
His attorney, Alan Jackson, who has represented major Hollywood figures including Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey, requested a continuance, stating he needed more time to prepare. Jackson told the court it was "too early" for his client to enter a plea. The arraignment was subsequently delayed and is now scheduled for January 7.
Speaking to the press outside the court, Jackson emphasised the profound tragedy. "Most importantly, this is a devastating tragedy that has befallen the Reiner family, we all recognize that," he said. He described the case as involving "very, very complex and serious issues" that required careful examination and urged the public and media to avoid a rush to judgment.
Family's Agony and the Gruesome Discovery
Nick Reiner's siblings, Jake, 34, and Romy, 27, broke their silence with a heartfelt statement. "Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day," they said. "They weren't just our parents; they were our best friends." The pair asked for privacy and for the public to treat speculation with compassion.
The horrific scene was discovered after a massage therapist arrived for a 2pm appointment at the Reiners' home. Unable to gain entry, the therapist called Romy, who lives across the street. Romy opened the door to find her father's lifeless body and fled in distress, initially unaware her mother was also dead. Paramedics later confirmed Michele Reiner had also been killed. Police sources indicate the couple likely died hours before being found and had suffered fatal slash wounds.
Nick Reiner was arrested later that Sunday, around 9.15pm, near a metro station by Exposition Park. He has a documented history of drug addiction and mental health problems. If convicted on both counts of first-degree murder, he could face life in prison without parole or even the death penalty.
