Rob and Michele Reiner’s son Nick to face murder charges in parents’ deaths
Prosecutors in Los Angeles will file murder charges against the son of Hollywood couple Rob and Michele Reiner, who was found dead with multiple stab wounds in their home on Sunday.
Nick Reiner, 32, faces two counts of first-degree murder and could face life in prison if convicted. He will be formally arraigned to face charges once he is “medically cleared” by prison officials, District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Mr. Hochman also said no decision had yet been made on whether to seek the death penalty.
Rob Reiner has directed many iconic films across a variety of genres, including This is Spinal Tap, Misery, and A Few Good Men.
Michele Singer Reiner was an actress, photographer, producer, and founder of Reiner Light, a photography agency and production company.
Their son, Nick Reiner, faces two counts of first-degree murder with a “special circumstance involving multiple homicides,” according to Hochman. This enhancement could lead to a harsher sentence if later convicted.
District Attorney Hochman said he, too, was accused of using a “dangerous and deadly weapon, a knife.”
It was learned that the suspect is currently undergoing medical tests in order to appear in court. He is expected to appear before a judge later Tuesday for a hearing where he will be formally charged and may also plead guilty or not guilty.
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell also spoke at the press conference and explained how the case resonated throughout the city.
“This case is heartbreaking and deeply personal, not only for the Reiner family and their loved ones, but for the entire city,” he said.
“We extend our deepest condolences to everyone affected by this tragedy.”
During the press conference, authorities refused to say how the suspect was located and attributed his arrest to “good and solid police work.”
District Attorney Hochman added that it was too early to tell whether any “mental illness” played a role in the crime and speculated that this might come up at trial.
“If there is evidence of mental illness, it will come out in court, regardless of the details the defense wishes to present,” he said.
