LOS ANGELES — Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner, died of multiple sharp force injuries, and their deaths have been ruled homicides, according to records released Wednesday by the Los Angeles County medical examiner. Their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder after the couple were found Sunday at their Brentwood home.
The medical examiner’s office said both bodies are ready to be released to the family and that further investigative work is underway before additional details are made public.
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Nick Reiner has not entered a plea. He did not appear in court Tuesday as expected due to unspecified health reasons, his attorney, Alan Jackson, said. An arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 7. At a news conference Tuesday, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said prosecutors have not decided whether to seek the death penalty.
In a joint statement, the couple’s children, Jake and Romy, asked for privacy as they mourn. “Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day,” they said. “The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends.” They added that they were grateful for the outpouring of condolences “from people from all walks of life.”
Rob Reiner, 78, was one of Hollywood’s most influential directors of the late 20th century, with a filmography that helped define American popular culture. His credits include This Is Spinal Tap (1984), When Harry Met Sally (1989), The Princess Bride (1987), Stand by Me (1986) and A Few Good Men (1992). He moved seamlessly across genres — from mockumentary and romantic comedy to courtroom drama — and was known for sharp dialogue, emotional clarity and indelible performances.
Michele Reiner, 70, was a steady presence in the family’s creative and philanthropic life.
Nick Reiner worked with his father on the 2016 drama Being Charlie, which he co-wrote. Though he told People magazine the film was not autobiographical, it drew from his experiences with addiction, teenage stints in rehab and periods of homelessness after refusing to return to treatment. The movie, directed by Rob Reiner, follows a governor’s son battling substance abuse, and it marked one of the family’s most public creative collaborations.
Tributes poured in from longtime friends and collaborators. Meg Ryan, who starred in When Harry Met Sally, called the couple’s deaths an “impossible tragedy” in an Instagram post. “Thank you, Rob and Michele, for the way you believe in true love, in fairy tales, and in laughter,” she wrote. “Thank you for your faith in the best in people, and for your profound love of our country.”
A group of close friends, including Billy Crystal, Albert Brooks, Martin Short and Larry David, as well as director Barry Levinson, remembered the couple as “a special force together — dynamic, unselfish and inspiring,” according to a statement released to The Associated Press. “Rob was a passionate, brave citizen, who not only cared for this country he loved, he did everything he could to make it better and with his loving wife Michele, he had the perfect partner,” the statement said.
As the investigation continues, authorities emphasized that the case remains active. The charges against Nick Reiner are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
