Ask Onix
Arrest made in double homicide of Hollywood director and wife
Nick Reiner, 32, is being held without bail after his parents-acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and producer Michele Singer Reiner-were discovered stabbed to death at their Brentwood residence on Sunday.
Discovery and police response
The couple's 28-year-old daughter, Romy, alerted authorities after finding her parents with multiple stab wounds inside their home. Emergency crews arrived at 15:38 local time (23:38 GMT) but pronounced both victims dead at the scene.
Police detained Nick Reiner approximately six hours later, at 21:15 on Sunday. Investigators have not disclosed a motive, stating the inquiry remains active.
Background on the victims
Rob Reiner, 78, rose to prominence as an actor in the 1970s sitcom All in the Family before directing celebrated films such as When Harry Met Sally, Stand By Me, and A Few Good Men. His father, Carl Reiner, was a legendary comedy figure.
Michele Singer Reiner, 68, worked as an actress, photographer, and producer. She founded Reiner Light, a photography and production agency, and married Rob in 1989 after meeting during the filming of When Harry Met Sally. The couple had three children together.
Nick Reiner's history and public struggles
Nick Reiner has openly discussed his battles with addiction and homelessness. In 2015, he co-wrote and starred in Being Charlie, a semi-autobiographical film directed by his father that explored these challenges.
Political reactions and public outcry
Former President Donald Trump posted on social media, attributing the deaths to what he termed "Trump Derangement Syndrome," a phrase his allies used to describe critics. Trump claimed Rob Reiner's opposition to him had driven others to "rage."
"He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump."
Donald Trump, former U.S. president
Police have not linked the statement to their investigation. Several Republicans, including Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, condemned Trump's remarks, calling the deaths a "family tragedy" and urging empathy for those affected by addiction and mental health crises.
Friends of the Reiners also expressed shock. Maria Shriver, a longtime acquaintance, described the couple as "devoted parents" who "never gave up" on their children. Sir Elton John and actors John Cusack and Elijah Wood shared tributes, praising the Reiners' kindness and legacy.
Community and media response
By Monday morning, media outlets and onlookers had gathered outside the Reiners' Brentwood estate, a gated property in one of Los Angeles' most affluent neighborhoods. A security guard monitored the perimeter as the investigation continued.
