Nick Reiner Appears in Court Without Plea Amid Murder Charges

Nick Reiner, 32, appeared in court Wednesday, but did not enter a plea on the two counts of first‑degree murder charged in the killing of his parents. The brief appearance, held behind a glass wall in a custody area, saw Reiner in shackles and wearing a jail suicide‑prevention smock.

Court Appearance and Plea Delay

Reiner was questioned by Judge Theresa McGonigle about his right to a speedy trial. He responded with a single “yes, your honor.” His attorney, Alan Jackson, told the court that it was “too early” to enter a guilty or not guilty plea and requested that the arraignment be postponed until January 7, 2026. Jackson also spoke to reporters outside the courthouse, saying the case involved “very complex and serious issues” that required careful examination. He urged the public and media not to “rush to judgement” and added, “We ask that during this process, you allow the system to move forward in the way that it was designed, to move forward, not with the rush to judgment, not with jumping to conclusions, but with restraint and with dignity and with the respect that this system and this process deserves and that the family deserves.”

Arrest and Charges

Reiner was arrested Monday on suspicion of murder after the bodies of his parents, Rob, 78, and Michele, 68, were found Sunday inside their home in Los Angeles’ Brentwood community. He was charged Tuesday with two counts of first‑degree murder. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the charges at a news conference with LA Police Chief Jim McDonnell. Hochman said, “Their loss is beyond tragic and we will commit ourselves to bringing their murderer to justice.” In addition to the murder counts, prosecutors added a special circumstances allegation of multiple murders and an allegation that Reiner used a knife. The killings are believed to have taken place early Sunday morning. Reiner was taken into custody hours later in Exposition Park, south of downtown Los Angeles, about 15 miles southeast of Brentwood. Special circumstances elevate the charge to a more severe level and could carry a potential death sentence if prosecutors pursue capital punishment; that decision will be made later.

Motive and Medical Findings

Details about a possible motive remain unknown. A source close to Reiner confirmed to NBC News that Reiner and his wife had apparent stab wounds. The medical examiner has not yet released an official cause of death.

Family Reactions and Community Tributes

Rob and Michele’s children—Nick’s siblings Jake, 34, and Romy, 28—released a joint statement Wednesday, describing the loss as “devastating” and asking for privacy while they grieve. Their statement read: “Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day. 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. We are grateful for the outpouring of condolences, kindness, and support we have received not only from family and friends but people from all walks of life. We now ask for respect and privacy, for speculation to be tempered with compassion and humanity, and for our parents to be remembered for the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave.” The deaths stunned the Hollywood community, prompting tributes from entertainment industry colleagues, political figures and others.

Background on Nick Reiner

Nick’s struggles with drug addiction began in his teens. In a 2016 interview with People, he said he “cycled in and out of treatment facilities with bouts of homelessness and relapses in between.” He added, “I spent nights on the street. I spent weeks on the street. It was not fun,” and continued, “If I wanted to do it my way and not go to the programs they were suggesting, then I had to be homeless.” His history of addiction and homelessness was well documented in the media.

Film Collaboration and Interviews

In 2015, Rob and Nick collaborated on the coming‑of‑age film Being Charlie, directed by Rob and co‑written by Nick. The film explored the relationship between a son and father. In a 2016 interview with the Associated Press, Rob said, “It forced us to understand ourselves better than we had.” He added, “I told Nick while we were making it, I said, ‘You know it doesn’t matter, whatever happens to this thing, we won already. This has already been good.’ We’ve worked through a lot of stuff.” In September, the family appeared together at the Los Angeles premiere of Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues.

Key Takeaways

• Nick Reiner, 32, appeared in court Wednesday but has not entered a plea; arraignment postponed until January 7, 2026.
• He faces two counts of first‑degree murder, special circumstances of multiple murders, and a knife allegation, with a potential death sentence if capital punishment is pursued.
• The motive is unknown; medical examiner has not released cause of death.

The case continues to unfold as authorities investigate the tragic deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner and as the family seeks privacy and support amid a wave of public attention.