LOS ANGELES — Rob Reiner’s son, Nick Reiner, was arrested on suspicion of homicide after the acclaimed filmmaker and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead Sunday at their Brentwood home, Los Angeles police confirmed.
- Nick Reiner, 32, taken into custody Sunday night
- Rob Reiner, 78, and wife Michele Singer Reiner, 70, found dead at their home
- No signs of forced entry; victims had stab-related injuries
- Investigation led by LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said officers responded to the residence in the 200 block of Chadbourne Avenue around 3:40 p.m. Detectives from the department’s elite Robbery-Homicide Division worked through the night before taking Nick Reiner into custody.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the Reiners,” McDonnell said Monday, calling the deaths “a tragic incident.” Authorities have obtained a search warrant for the home, which McDonnell described as a “critical piece” of the investigation.
Law enforcement sources said there were no signs of forced entry and that both victims sustained injuries consistent with being stabbed. Nick Reiner was not at the residence when police arrived but was later located at an undisclosed location and arrested at approximately 9:15 p.m. He is being held in Los Angeles County jail without bail. Police have not disclosed a motive.
Rob Reiner was best known for his role as “Meathead” on All in the Family and for directing iconic films including When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride, and This Is Spinal Tap. Michele Singer Reiner was a photographer and film producer who collaborated frequently with her husband.
The killings sent shock waves through Hollywood and political circles. Reiner was a prominent liberal activist, campaigning for causes including same-sex marriage. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said they were “heartbroken by the tragic deaths of our friends Rob and Michele Reiner,” praising their cultural impact and civic engagement.
Family friends told The Los Angeles Times that Rob Reiner and his son argued Saturday night at a holiday party hosted by Conan O’Brien. Several attendees reportedly observed Nick Reiner acting erratically.
Nick Reiner had struggled publicly with addiction and mental health issues for years and had been living in a guesthouse on his parents’ property. Friends said Michele Singer Reiner had grown increasingly concerned about her son’s condition in recent weeks.
The family’s struggles were previously chronicled in interviews and in the 2015 semi-autobiographical film Being Charlie, which Rob Reiner directed and Nick Reiner co-wrote. The film depicted a strained father-son relationship shaped by addiction, mirroring their real-life experiences.
Nick Reiner later acknowledged relapses, describing episodes of substance abuse and destructive behavior in a 2018 podcast appearance. He said he eventually entered detox and sober living facilities after damaging his parents’ guesthouse during a drug-fueled episode.
President Trump commented on the case Monday via Truth Social, suggesting without evidence that Rob Reiner’s political views may have contributed to the tragedy.
The Reiners are survived by their three children: Jake, Nick, and Romy. Police continue to investigate as the Brentwood neighborhood remains cordoned off.
Despite the violent circumstances of his death, neighbors said Rob Reiner will be remembered for the joy his films brought audiences.
“People won’t remember you for who you are, but how you made them feel,” said local resident Jocelyn McAllister. “His movies made people happy.”
