Nick Reiner has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the killing of his parents, the acclaimed actor and director Rob Reiner and the photographer Michele Singer Reiner, authorities announced on Tuesday.
The 32-year-old, who is being held without bail, has been in custody since Sunday evening, hours after his sister reportedly discovered the couple’s bodies in their Los Angeles home. Police said on Sunday the couple had suffered fatal stab wounds.
“Rob Reiner was one of the greatest film-makers of his generation. His murder and his wife of more than 35 years Michele Singer Reiner’s murder are shocking and tragic. We owe it to their memory to pursue justice and accountability for the lives that were taken,” Nathan Hochman, the LA county district attorney, said in a press release announcing the charges.
“Prosecuting cases involving family violence are some of the most challenging and heart-wrenching we face because of the intimate and often brutal nature of the crimes,” Hochman added.
The district attorney’s office charged Nick Reiner with two counts of first-degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders, and a special allegation for the use of a dangerous weapon, a knife.
Nick Reiner was not expected to appear in court on Tuesday. Alan Jackson, his defense attorney, told reporters that his client had not received medical clearance and would not attend court proceedings before Wednesday.
The crime has sent shockwaves through Hollywood and prompted numerous tributes, including from Barack Obama, who said the Reiners “lived lives defined by purpose”.
“Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen,” Obama said in a statement. “But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people – and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action.”
In a joint letter, friends of Rob and Michele Reiner wrote: “We will miss them for ever.”
The letter is signed by Billy and Janice Crystal, Albert and Kimberly Brooks, Martin Short, Alan and Robin Zweibel, Larry David and Ashley Underwood, Marc Shaiman and Lou Mirabal, Barry and Diana Levinson and Ambassador James Costos and Michael Smith.
“Rob was also 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 letter reads. “Strong and determined, Michele and Rob Reiner devoted a great deal of their lives for the betterment of our fellow citizens.”
Rob Reiner gained notoriety for his Emmy-winning performance on the 1970s sitcom All in the Family, and become a celebrated director of films such as This is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally and The Princess Bride, among others. Michele Singer Reiner’s work included a portrait of Donald Trump that was used on his book The Art of the Deal, and she also produced some of her husband’s films. Rob and Nick Reiner collaborated on a 2015 film based on the now 32-year-old’s struggles with addiction and homelessness.
The couple were also prominent supporters of liberal political causes. Rob Reiner had long been a vocal critic of Donald Trump, whose comments on the couple’s death sparked outrage.
The evening before the killings Rob and Nick Reiner were heard arguing at a Christmas party at comedian Conan O’Brien’s home, the Los Angeles Times reported. A family friend told the newspaper that Nick was living at the family property in Brentwood and that Michele Reiner was recently worried about his mental health.
On Sunday, Romy Reiner, the couple’s daughter, discovered their bodies and contacted police, according to media reports.
The Los Angeles police department said in a statement on Monday that officers responded to the Reiner residence in Brentwood shortly before 4pm on Sunday and investigators determined they had been killed. Nick Reiner was located and arrested that evening after authorities determined he “was responsible for their deaths”.
Maanvi Singh contributed reporting
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