Rob Reiner’s son, Nick Reiner, charged with 1st-degree murder
Nick Reiner has been charged with the murders of his parents, renowned director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer, according to court filings on Tuesday.
The charges of two counts of first-degree murder, with the special circumstance of multiple murders, were first announced by Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman at a press conference earlier in the day.
Watch the ABC News Special, “The Rob Reiner Story: A Hollywood Tragedy,” on ABC at 10 p.m. ET/9 p.m. CT, Tuesday, and streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
“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 said in a statement after the charges were filed.
The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty, Hochman said.
“No decision at this point has been made with respect to the death penalty,” the DA said during the press conference.
Daniel Cole/Reuters – PHOTO: Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman speaks during a press conference announcing Nick Reiner, son of Hollywood actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner will be charged with murdering his parents, in Los Angeles, Dec. 16, 2025.
The Reiners’ daughter found her parents stabbed to death in their Brentwood home on Sunday, sources told ABC News.
Asked if a murder weapon was recovered, Hochman confirmed a knife was used, but he added, “As to where and how the weapon was located, or will be located, that will actually be evidence we’ll present in court.”
Chris Pizzello/AP – PHOTO: Signs are places at the front gate outside Rob Reiner’s residence, Dec. 15, 2025, in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles.
Nick Reiner, 32, had been living on his parents’ property, according to a former family security guard, but was not at home when his parents’ bodies were discovered, law enforcement sources told ABC News.
He was found near the University of Southern California on Sunday night thanks to “good, solid police work” and was taken into custody, police said. He is in jail on suspicion of murder and is being held without bail, police said.
LAPD – PHOTO: Nick Reiner, son of Rob Reiner is arrested in Los Angeles, Dec. 14, 2025.
LAPD – PHOTO: Nick Reiner, son of Rob Reiner is arrested in Los Angeles, Dec. 14, 2025.
Nick Reiner’s attorney, Alan Jackson — who helped defend Karen Read in Massachusetts — told reporters on Tuesday that the 32-year-old had not yet completed the standard medical clearance to appear in court.
Nick Reiner had been open about battling drug addiction since he was a teenager. In 2016, Nick Reiner worked with his dad on the movie “Being Charlie,” which was based largely on his struggle with drug addiction.
On Saturday night, Rob and Nick Reiner got into an argument at a holiday party, and at the party Nick was seen acting strangely, sources told ABC News.
Laura Cavanaugh/FilmMagic via Getty Images – PHOTO: Rob Reiner and Nick Reiner attend the AOL Build Speaker Series in New York City, May 4, 2016.
What Rob and Nick Reiner said about their film inspired by Nick’s substance abuse issues
Rob Reiner, a famed director, producer and actor, is known for massive Hollywood hits, including “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally…,” “Stand By Me,” “This is Spinal Tap,” “A Few Good Men” and many more.
A neighbor told ABC News that actors Billy Crystal and Larry David were seen at the house after police arrived on Sunday.
Daniel Cole/Reuters – PHOTO: A drone view of the Reiner household, after actor-director and political activist Rob Reiner and his wife were found dead, in Los Angeles, California, Dec. 15, 2025.
“Billy looked like he was about to cry,” the neighbor said.
Rob Reiner and Singer, who met while Rob Reiner was directing “When Harry Met Sally…,” married in 1989 and share three children: Jake, Nick and Romy.
Amanda Edwards/WireImage via Getty Images – PHOTO: Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner arrive at The Human Rights Campaign 2019 Los Angeles Dinner, March 30, 2019 in Los Angeles.
Rob Reiner is also survived by daughter, Tracy Reiner, with his first wife, Penny Marshall, who died in 2018.
Rob Reiner, the son of comedian Carl Reiner and actress and singer Estelle Lebost, first became famous on the Norman Lear TV sitcom “All in the Family.”
He played the role of Archie Bunker’s son-in-law, Michael Stivic, known as Meathead, from 1971 to 1978, winning two Emmys for the role.
“The Lear Family is devastated by the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner,” the family said in a statement on Sunday night. “Norman often referred to Rob as a son, and their close relationship was extraordinary, to us and the world.”
“Lyn Lear had remained very close with them and said, ‘The world is unmistakably darker tonight, and we are left bereft,'” the statement added.
Damian Dovarganes/AP – PHOTO: Flowers cover the Walk of Fame star for Rob Reiner Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles.
“Rob Reiner was a brilliant actor and director, an iconic force in our entertainment industry for decades,” Hochman said on Tuesday. “His wife, Michele Singer Reiner, was an equally iconic photographer and producer. Their loss is beyond tragic.”
Rob Reiner was also known for his advocacy work.
“This is a devastating loss for our city and our country,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement. “Rob Reiner’s contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice.”
