Rob Reiner's Son Charged With Murder, Could Face Death Penalty

Rob Reiner and his wife Michele’s son was charged with murder on Tuesday for allegedly killing his parents in their Los Angeles home, prosecutors announced.

Nick Reiner, 32, faces two counts of first-degree murder and a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said at a live-streamed news conference.

If convicted, the murder charges carry a maximum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole.

Hochman confirmed his office is considering seeking the death penalty in the case, but at this time “no decision has been made.”

“Prosecuting these cases involving family members are some of the most challenging and most heart-wrenching cases that this office faces, because of the intimate and often brutal nature of the crimes involved,” Hochman told reporters.

Nick is currently being held without bail, after his bail was initially set at $4 million.

He is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday, Dec. 17, after his court appearance set for today was shifted because he was not medically cleared. His attorney Alan Jackson told reporters who had gathered for the hearing that all inmates must be medically cleared before they are transported to court.

Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, were found dead on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 14, inside their house in the 200 block of Chadbourne Avenue.

“Rob Reiner was a brilliant actor and director, an iconic force in our entertainment industry for decades. His wife, Michele Singer Reiner, was an equally iconic photographer and producer,” Hochman said at Tuesday’s news conference. “Their loss is beyond tragic, and we will commit ourselves to bringing their murderer to justice.”

According to published reports, Nick lived with his parents. But police said he was taken into custody “without incident” miles away near USC at 9:15 p.m. on Sunday.

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell also attended the news conference and called the case “heartbreaking.”

McDonnell said police responded to a “death investigation” at the Reiner home after paramedics from the Los Angeles Fire Department were dispatched to the house. The police chief and D.A. confirmed that a knife was used to kill the couple, but declined to discuss details about their fatal injuries.

TMZ reported Rob and Michele’s daughter Romy found the bodies and called 911. She reportedly told police Nick was “dangerous” and might be responsible for his parents’ deaths.

Multiple media outlets reported Rob, Michele, and Nick attended a Christmas party on Saturday night hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien. Rob and Nick reportedly got into a heated argument at the gathering and Rob left.

Nick has a history of substance abuse and has been open about his addiction.

He worked with his father on a semi-autobiographical 2015 film titled Being Charlie about addiction, rehab and his family’s struggles to cope. He previously said he trashed his parents’ guest house when he was high on cocaine.