Nick Reiner is facing serious legal charges following an unfathomable tragedy.
Days after Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner were found dead at their Brentwood, Calif., home Dec. 14, their 32-year-old son is being charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced in a Dec. 16 press conference.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman confirmed the 32-year-old was in custody and undergoing a medical clearance, which is something "everybody goes through" when brought in for suspicion of murder. The charges, which were formally filed later on Dec. 16, will hold a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
The DA noted, "No decision at this point has been made with respect to the death penalty we have requested," and emphasized that the charges are simply charges, adding, "Charges are not evidence."
Rob and Michele—who also shared kids Jake Reiner, 34, and Romy Reiner, 28—had attended Conan O’Brien’s holiday party alongside Nick the night before they were killed. The Being Charlie writer was reportedly acting disruptive during the event and got into a “heated” argument with his father, multiple sources familiar with the matter told People and the Los Angeles Times. (E! News previously reached out to the LAPD as well as reps for O’Brien and the Reiner family for comment but did not hear back.)
Hours after Rob and Michele’s bodies were discovered, Nick was arrested and booked on suspicion of murder, the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed in a press release the following day. His bail was originally set at $4 million, according to records viewed by E! News, but the LAPD confirmed in their release he was being held without bail.
In the days since the death of the When Harry Met Sally director and his wife of 36 years, their friends and family have expressed overwhelming grief.
“I don’t know what to say,” Rob’s daughter Tracy Reiner—whom the director shared with late ex Penny Marshall—wrote in a statement to NBC News. “I’m in shock. I came from the greatest family ever.”
Meanwhile, longtime friend Jane Fonda also shared her condolences and noted that she had spent time with the couple in the days prior to their deaths.
“I saw them night before last looking healthy and happy,” the 87-year-old wrote on Instagram Dec. 15. “I am reeling with grief. Stunned.”
The Barbarella actress emphasized that the late couple were “wonderful, caring, smart, funny, generous people, always coming up with ideas for how to make the world better, kinder.”
Nearly a decade before Rob and Michele’s untimely deaths, Rob had collaborated with his son Nick on the film Being Charlie, a semi-autobiographical film that explored Nick’s addiction struggles.
“It was intense,” Rob explained in a Build Series interview in 2016. “It was difficult at times. But it was also the most satisfying, creative experience I’ve ever had.”
Nick concurred, adding, “It was a pretty nice experience for me.”
For more on the tragedy, keep reading…
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Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner's Son Nick Reiner Details Struggle With Drugs
Years before Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner’s tragic deaths, their son Nick Reiner shared that he struggled with addiction, even collaborating with his father on the 2015 film Being Charlie about substance abuse.
Nick explained that he had been to rehab 17 times before turning 30.
“I was homeless in Maine. I was homeless in New Jersey. I was homeless in Texas,” he told People in 2016. “I spent nights on the street. I spent weeks on the street. It was not fun.”
Two years later, Nick recalled an instance when he “wrecked” his home while high on drugs.
“I went 10 rounds in my guest house,” he shared on the Dopey podcast in 2018. “I got totally spun out on uppers—I think it was coke and something else—and I was up for days on end. I started punching out some things in my guest house.”
Rob Reiner and Nick Reiner Fight at Conan O’Brien’s Christmas Party on Night Before Couple Is Found Dead
The When Harry Met Sally director and his 32-year-old son got into a heated argument at Conan O’Brien’s Christmas party on Dec. 13, multiple sources at the event told People. Family friends also confirmed to the L.A. Times that Rob and Nick fought at the holiday celebration, saying that guests noticed Nick acting strangely.
Two sources with knowledge of the situation told NBC News that Nick was being disruptive at the party and interrupting conversations.
Jane Fonda Says Michele & Rob Reiner Were "Happy" Night Before Deaths
Jane Fonda saw Rob and Michele the night before their tragic deaths.
"I saw them night before last looking healthy and happy," the actress wrote on Instagram Dec. 15. "I am reeling with grief. Stunned."
Rob Reiner and Wife Michele Singer Reiner Are Found Dead in Their Brentwood, Calif., Home
The day after the Christmas party, the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a call of a death investigation at a home in Brentwood, Calif., at about 3:40 p.m. on Dec. 14.
“Once inside the residence, officers discovered two victims,” the LAPD said in a press release, “who were subsequently identified as Robert and Michele Reiner.”
The Robbery Homicide Division, Homicide Special Section (RHD/HSS) started an investigation into the circumstances of their deaths.
Deputy Police Chief Alan Hamilton told reporters that many family members would be interviewed, per NBC News. In addition to Nick, the couple are parents to daughter Romy Reiner and son Jake Reiner, and Rob also adopted late ex-wife Penny Marshall's daughter Tracy Reiner.
The Reiners’ Manner of Death Revealed as Homicide
It was determined that Rob and Michele did not die of natural causes, with a source close to the Reiner family telling NBC News that the couple appeared to have died from stab wounds.
“As a result of the initial investigation,” the LAPD said in a press release, “it was determined that the Reiners were the victims of homicide.”
Nick Reiner Seen in Gas Station Footage Before Arrest
While police investigated the case, Nick was filmed buying a Gatorade at an ARCO gas station in downtown Los Angeles near USC around 9 p.m. Dec. 14. He was wearing a green jacket, jeans and a ballcap while carrying a red backpack, as seen in footage obtained by MS NOW.
Nick Reiner Is Arrested on Suspicion of Murder
Minutes later, the screenwriter was taken into custody near USC.
The LAPD said their investigation determined that Rob and Michele's son was "responsible for their deaths.”
“Nick Reiner was located and arrested at approximately 9:15 p.m.,” police said in a press release, adding as of Dec. 15, “He was booked for murder and remains in custody with no bail.”
The Obamas Had Plans to Meet With the Reiners
During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live Dec. 15, Michelle Obama revealed that she and husband Barack Obama were supposed to see Rob and Michele on the day they were found dead.
Nick Reiner Hires Alan Jackson—Lawyer for Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey—as His Attorney
Two days after Nick was arrested in connection to the murder of his parents, criminal defense attorney Alan Jackson—who previously represented Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey and Karen Read—confirmed to E! News Dec. 16 that he had been hire as Nick's attorney in the case.
Nick Reiner's Courthouse Absence Explained
As officials gathered at a Los Angeles courthouse Dec. 16 to announce formal charges against Nick, his attorney told reporters that the screenwriter "has not been medically cleared" to appear in front of a judge.
“Every inmate has to be medically cleared before they can be transported to court," he explained to reporters, per MS NOW. “Hopefully, he’ll be cleared tomorrow and we can get him here.”
Nick Reiner Charged With Murder
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced on Dec. 16 that his office plans to formally charge Nick with "two counts of first-degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders."
The D.A. also confirmed Nick will also face a "special allegation that he personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon, that being a knife" on his parents.
He added, "These charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty."
Nick was formally charged Dec. 16.
Approximate Time of Death Revealed
Though Rob and Michele's bodies were discovered around 3 p.m. on Dec. 14, they were likely killed around 12 hours prior, according to authorities.
The district attorney said in a Dec. 16 press release that the murders took place "in approximately the early morning hours of December 14."
Authorities Share Murder Weapon Details
Nick is accused of "fatally stabbing" his parents, per the D.A. press release on Dec. 16. He allegedly "personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon, a knife" in the murders.
Nick Reiner Appears in Court
On Dec. 17, Nick appeared in court for the first time, arriving to the Los Angeles Supreme Court in a blue anti-suicide smock and shackles. He did not enter a plea to his charges during the appearance, instead agreeing to a date of Jan. 7 for the arraignment.
Official Cause of Death Revealed
The medical examiner determined Dec. 17 Rob and Michele each died by "multiple sharp force injuries," meaning several cuts or stabs from a sharp object.