The son of acclaimed Hollywood director Rob Reiner has been placed on suicide watch in a Los Angeles prison after being charged with the brutal murders of his parents.
Charges and Circumstances of the Arrest
Nick Reiner, 32, is being held without bail at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Downtown Los Angeles. He faces two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of his father, Rob, 78, and mother, Michele, 68. Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the charges on Tuesday, stating they include the special circumstance of multiple murders and an allegation that Nick personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon—a knife.
The grim discovery was made on Sunday at 3:30pm local time by the couple's daughter, Romy, at their Brentwood home. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to offer medical aid but found both victims deceased from stab wounds, with reports indicating their throats had been slit.
Events Leading to the Tragedy
Just hours before the bodies were discovered, Nick had allegedly been involved in a public argument with his father. The incident occurred at a Christmas party hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien, which Nick attended uninvited with his parents. Reports suggest his behaviour was erratic, with him reportedly interrupting conversations to ask attendees if they were famous, leading some guests to wonder if he had wandered in from the street.
Following the party, Nick is believed to have checked into the Pierside Santa Monica hotel at 4am. Hotel staff later reported finding a shower "full of blood" and a bloody trail leading from the bed. Nick was arrested on Sunday at 9:15pm local time and formally booked on Monday morning.
Current Status and Investigation
Nick Reiner was not medically cleared to appear in court following his arrest and has since been placed under the supervision of the jail's mental evaluation team. He is reportedly housed in an area designated for inmates with "suicidal ideation." The Los Angeles Police Department continues to gather evidence for the case and has not yet determined a motive for the double murder.
District Attorney Hochman emphasised that the charges are not evidence and that the maximum sentence for the current charges is life in prison. No decision has yet been made regarding seeking the death penalty.
A spokesperson for the Reiner family released a statement expressing "profound sorrow" and heartbreak over the "sudden loss," requesting privacy during this difficult time.
