Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of acclaimed Hollywood director Rob Reiner, is facing two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of his parents. Authorities announced the formal charges on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, in a case that has shocked the entertainment industry.
Formal Charges and Allegations
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman detailed the charges during a news conference. Nick Reiner is accused of killing his father, Rob Reiner, and his mother, Michele Singer Reiner. In addition to the murder counts, prosecutors filed a special allegation that the crimes involved the use of a dangerous and deadly weapon—specifically a knife.
The charges carry severe potential penalties. Each first-degree murder count carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, with the possibility of the death penalty also on the table, according to Hochman. Nick Reiner remains in custody at the Parker Center Jail in downtown Los Angeles, held without bail.
A Tragic Discovery and Troubled History
The bodies of Rob and Michele Reiner were discovered in their Los Angeles-area home on Sunday. Reports indicate the couple suffered fatal knife wounds, including slit throats and other lacerations consistent with stabbing.
The grim discovery was made by one of the Reiners' daughters, 28-year-old Romy. According to law enforcement sources, she told police that a family member was responsible for the killings.
The case brings a tragic end to a publicly documented struggle within the family. Nick Reiner's battles with addiction and his complex relationship with his father were previously explored in the 2015 semi-autobiographical film Being Charlie, which Rob Reiner co-wrote and produced. Despite the challenges, Rob had called collaborating with his son "the most satisfying experience I’ve ever had."
Family Anguish and Legal Proceedings
In the months leading up to the tragedy, friends of the couple told media outlets that Rob and Michele Reiner were deeply distressed about their son's mental health and alleged ongoing substance abuse issues. Sources indicated the parents felt they had exhausted all options, with one friend recounting they had said, "We’ve tried everything."
Nick Reiner is scheduled to appear in court after the charges are formally filed and once he is medically cleared to do so. The case continues to develop as investigators piece together the events leading to the double homicide.
The entertainment community and the public are left mourning the loss of the iconic director behind films like When Harry Met Sally and A Few Good Men, and his wife, a prominent philanthropist, while grappling with the horrifying circumstances of their deaths.
