> At a Glance
> – Nick Reiner, 32, faces first-degree murder charges for the stabbing deaths of Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 68
> – Bodies found December 14 in their Brentwood home; he was arrested 15 miles away in Exposition Park
> – Special-circumstance allegation of multiple murders and knife use could expose him to the death penalty
> – Why it matters: The case spotlights mental-health issues in the justice system after sources say he was being treated for schizophrenia
The 32-year-old son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner is set to be arraigned Wednesday on charges that he murdered both parents inside their Brentwood home last month.
The Charges
Prosecutors filed first-degree murder counts plus special-circumstance allegations for multiple murders and personal use of a knife. The enhancements mean the case is eligible for capital punishment if the District Attorney later decides to seek death instead of life without parole.
Los Angeles County’s medical examiner ruled both deaths homicides caused by “multiple sharp-force injuries.” A security hold blocks release of the full autopsy reports at LAPD’s request.
Mental-Health Questions
A sealed medical order signed by the judge in December-confirmed by three sources to concern Nick Reiner’s psychiatric care-could delay proceedings. The sources say he was diagnosed with schizophrenia years ago and had recently changed or adjusted his medication, though the exact timing remains unclear.
He was taken off suicide watch earlier this week but remains under close observation in jail without bond.
Family Tragedy
The couple’s older son, Jake, and younger daughter, Romy, issued a joint statement after their brother’s first court appearance:
> “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 … is something that no one should ever experience.”
Defense attorney Alan Jackson told reporters:
> “This is a devastating tragedy that has befallen the Reiner family … there are complex issues associated with this case that need to be carefully dealt with and examined.”
A History in the Spotlight
Nick Reiner had publicly battled drug addiction since his teens, cycling through treatment programs and periods of homelessness. He and his father collaborated on the 2015 film Being Charlie, which explored their fraught relationship. The entire family appeared together at the Los Angeles premiere of Spinal Tap 2 in September.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Dec 14 | Bodies discovered inside Brentwood home |
| Dec 17 | Nick Reiner ordered jailed without bond |
| Dec 20 | Family statement released to media |
| Jan 8 | Arraignment scheduled in downtown L.A. |
Key Takeaways
- Special-circumstance murder charges carry potential death-penalty exposure
- Mental-health treatment and medication changes are central to the defense
- The Reiner family has asked for privacy and “restraint from rush to judgment”
As the criminal case moves forward, prosecutors will first decide whether to pursue capital punishment while defense attorneys prepare what is expected to be a lengthy battle over Nick Reiner’s mental state at the time of the killings.
