Hollywood is in shock following the tragic deaths of acclaimed director Rob Reiner and his wife, photographer Michele Singer Reiner. The couple were found deceased in their Los Angeles home on Sunday, with their son, Nick Reiner, subsequently arrested in connection with the incident.
A Tragic Discovery in Brentwood
The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a call for medical aid at the couple's Brentwood residence at 3:30 pm local time on Sunday. Upon arrival, emergency services discovered the bodies of a 78-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman, later confirmed to be the Reiners. It is understood their daughter, Romy, who lives opposite the property, made the grim discovery.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) swiftly confirmed that detectives from the robbery homicide division were investigating the deaths as an "apparent homicide." Media reports from TMZ and People suggest the couple suffered wounds consistent with a knife attack.
Son Taken Into Custody
Central to the investigation is the couple's 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner. Los Angeles jail records show Nick was taken into custody on Sunday night. The records accuse him of felony "gang activity," though no further details were provided. His bail has been set at a substantial $4 million.
Law enforcement sources informed the LA Times that a family member was being interviewed regarding the deaths. This followed a press conference where LAPD chief detective Alan Hamilton stated the investigation was ongoing and that, at that time, police were "not seeking anyone as a suspect or as a person of interest."
A Family's Heartbreak and a Complex History
A spokesperson for the Reiner family confirmed the devastating news on Sunday evening. "It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner," the statement read. "We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time."
The tragedy occurred on the first day of Hanukkah, adding a further layer of sorrow for the family. Michele's sister is a rabbi, and their mother was a Holocaust survivor.
Nick Reiner, a screenwriter, had a publicly documented history of struggling with addiction. He collaborated with his father on the 2015 film Being Charlie, which was based on his own experiences with drug dependency and homelessness. Nick had revealed he entered rehab more than 17 times by the age of 22. In promoting the film, Rob and Michele had spoken candidly about the family's challenges, admitting they often listened to medical professionals over their son during his struggles.
Rob and Michele Reiner met on the set of the iconic film When Harry Met Sally in 1989. Michele was a respected photographer whose portfolio included the portrait of Donald Trump used on the cover of his book The Art of the Deal—an irony given Rob Reiner's later status as an outspoken critic of the former president.
The film community and beyond now mourn the loss of a couple who left a significant mark on Hollywood, while a complex and painful investigation unfolds.
