Nick Reiner, the son of acclaimed Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele, will be formally charged with two counts of first-degree murder following the fatal stabbing of his parents, prosecutors have announced.
Charges and Potential Sentences
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman confirmed the charges during a briefing on Tuesday evening, 16 December 2025. Nick Reiner is facing two counts of first-degree murder, with a special circumstance of multiple murders, relating to the deaths of both his father and mother.
The charges carry the maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Prosecutors have not yet decided whether they will pursue the death penalty in this case. Hochman stated the brutal crime is believed to have been committed with a knife.
Arrest and Medical Clearance Delay
Nick Reiner was filmed being arrested on Monday, 15 December 2025, one day after his parents were found dead at their home on Sunday. However, his initial court appearance has been delayed.
His lawyer, prominent criminal defence attorney Alan Jackson, confirmed to CNN that his client was not medically cleared to appear in court for a scheduled hearing on Tuesday. Jackson, who previously represented Harvey Weinstein, stated it is a "day to day" situation regarding when Reiner will be transported to the courthouse.
DA Hochman explained that receiving medical clearance is a standard procedure before a defendant is brought to court to enter a plea.
A 'Heart-Wrenching' Case
Prosecutor Nathan Hochman paid tribute to the victims, describing their loss as "beyond tragic." He vowed that his office would commit to bringing their murderer to justice.
He also noted that prosecuting cases involving family members are among the most challenging and heart-wrenching his department encounters, due to the intimate and often brutal nature of the crimes.
The entertainment world and beyond are now awaiting the next steps in this shocking legal case, as a family tragedy unfolds under the full glare of the public spotlight.
