The LA district attorney announced that Nick Reiner had been charged on first-degree murder counts
Hollywood actor and director Rob Reiner and his wife, photographer and film producer Michele Singer Reiner, were reportedly killed by their son Nick according to prosecutors, reported the Associated Press.
Los Angeles district attorney Nathan Hochman announced at a conference that Nick Reiner had been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. Prosecutors tacked on special circumstances of multiple murders and a claim that Nick had used a dangerous weapon, which could add to his sentence.
Nick was arrested on Monday on suspicion of murder and held without bail after his parents were found apparently stabbed to death in their LA home on Sunday. Nick reportedly did not resist arrest and was supposed to appear in court on Tuesday; however, his attorney Alan Jackson said the appearance did not push through due to medical reasons and that Nick would appear on Wednesday December 17 instead.
Jackson has acted for names like Harvey Weinstein and Karen Read.
Hochman said in a statement published by AP News that he and LA police chief Jim McDonnell were committed to bringing the Reiners’ killer to justice. Hochman’s office has yet to determine whether it would request the death penalty.
Nick and Rob Reiner had previously collaborated on the 2016 semi-autobiographical movie “Being Charlie,” which was co-written by Nick and directed by Rob. The pair had seemingly repaired their relationship while working on the film about an addict and his famous father; three months before the murders, Nick appeared with his family at the premiere of Rob's movie "Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues," on which Michele Singer Reiner was a producer.
The Reiner family’s representatives did not respond to requests for comment, per AP News. Police also did not make a statement regarding any motive for the murders.
Actors Billy Crystal, Albert Brooks, Martin Short, Larry David paid tribute to Rob and Michele Reiner in a group statement published by AP News.
“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. Strong and determined, Michele and Rob Reiner devoted a great deal of their lives for the betterment of our fellow citizens... They were a special force together — dynamic, unselfish and inspiring,” read the statement, which was also signed by writer Alan Zweibel, composer and lyricist Marc Shaiman, director Barry Levinson, and former US ambassador to Spain James Costos.
Former US president Bill Clinton described the couple as “good, generous people who made everyone who knew them better” in a statement published by AP News. LA mayor Karen Bass said that Rob Reiner had “improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice.”
Rob Reiner was known for directing the movies “A Few Good Men”, “When Harry Met Sally”, and “The Princess Bride.” Michele Singer Reiner was the photographer behind the cover of current US president Donald Trump’s 1987 book “The Art of the Deal” and was a producer on “God & Country”, “Albert Brooks: Defending My Life”, and “Shock and Awe.”
