Nick Reiner was arrested on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, on suspicion of murdering his parents, 78‑year‑old Rob Reiner and 68‑year‑old Michele Reiner, whose bodies were found Sunday inside their Brentwood home.
Arrest and Charges
Reiner was taken into custody after authorities discovered the bodies of his parents in their Los Angeles home. The case will be presented to county prosecutors for consideration of criminal charges. No criminal charges were filed on Tuesday morning, according to court records.
Legal Representation and Court Appearance
Defense attorney Alan Jackson confirmed on Tuesday that he has been retained as Reiner’s defense counsel. Speaking with reporters outside the Los Angeles courthouse, Jackson said it was unclear when Reiner will make his first court appearance, but it was unlikely to happen that same day. Jackson also noted that Reiner still needed medical clearance before he can go to court, calling the matter a procedural issue. The sheriff’s department requires medical screenings for a variety of reasons, including court remands and new bookings. When asked how Reiner was doing, Jackson said he is hopeful his client will be cleared to appear later this week.
Family Background and Prior Work
Rob Reiner, a celebrated director known for films such as “When Harry Met Sally…,” “A Few Good Men,” and “This Is Spinal Tap,” and Michele Reiner, a talent photographer and producer, were both deeply respected in Hollywood. Their deaths stunned the entertainment community and prompted tributes from industry colleagues and political figures.
Rob and Nick worked together in 2015 on the coming‑of‑age film “Being Charlie,” directed by Rob and co‑written by Nick. In a 2016 interview with the Associated Press, they discussed the film. Rob said, “It forced us to understand ourselves better than we had.” He added, “I told Nick while we were making it, I said, ‘You know it doesn’t matter, whatever happens to this thing, we won already. This has already been good.’ We’ve worked through a lot of stuff.”
In September, the family appeared together at the Los Angeles premiere of “Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues.”
Nick Reiner’s History of Addiction
Reiner has publicly spoken about his struggles with drug addiction, which began in his teens. In a 2016 interview with People, he described cycling in and out of treatment facilities, experiencing homelessness and relapses. He said, “I spent nights on the street. I spent weeks on the street. It was not fun,” and added, “If I wanted to do it my way and not go to the programs they were suggesting, then I had to be homeless.”
Current Status and Next Steps
Los Angeles County prosecutors planned to speak about the case at a 1 p.m. Tuesday news conference. Details about a possible motive for the killings were not immediately available. A source close to Reiner confirmed to NBC News that Reiner and his wife had apparent stab wounds. The medical examiner has not provided details about an official cause of death.
Nick Reiner is the second of the couple’s three children. Sources told NBC News that Reiner was disruptive at the party. Robert Kovacik reports for NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 15, 2025.
Key Takeaways
- Nick Reiner was arrested on suspicion of murdering his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, whose bodies were found in their Brentwood home.
- Defense attorney Alan Jackson confirmed he represents Reiner and indicated Reiner will likely appear in court later this week after medical clearance.
- The case is pending prosecutor review, with no charges filed yet, and details on motive remain undisclosed.
The investigation continues as authorities seek to uncover the circumstances surrounding the tragic deaths of two Hollywood figures.
