By Amanda Castro, Hannah Parry, and Joshua Rhett Miller

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Nick Reiner has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder over the death of his parents; Hollywood director Rob Reiner, 78, and photographer Michele Singer Reiner, 70.

“Prosecuting cases involving family violence are some of the most challenging and heart-wrenching we face because of the intimate and often brutal nature of the crimes,” Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said at a Tuesday press conference. “Rob Reiner was one of the greatest filmmakers of his generation. His murder and his wife of more than 35 years, Michele Singer Reiner’s murder, are shocking and tragic. We owe it to their memory to pursue justice and accountability for the lives that were taken.”

Nick Reiner, 32, will face a max sentence of life in prison without possibility of parole or the death penalty if convicted, although Hochman said no decision had yet been made on the latter.

What to Know:

• Nick Reiner was arrested hours in L.A.'s Exposition Park hours after his parents’ bodies were discovered at their home in Brentwood on Sunday afternoon.
• He is charged with two counts of murder with the special circumstance allegation of multiple murders. He also faces a special allegation that he personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon - a knife.
• He was booked on suspicion of murder on Monday and remains in jail without bail.
• An arraignment will be scheduled for a later date.
• Rob Reiner, 78, was a celebrated actor and director, known for This Is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally…, and The Princess Bride.
• Michele Singer Reiner, 70, was a photographer and producer whose partnership influenced her husband’s work.
• Nick Reiner has spoken publicly about struggles with addiction and homelessness; he co-wrote Being Charlie with his father, based loosely on his early life.
• Witnesses say Rob and Nick Reiner argued at a holiday party the night before the killings.

Related:

• Rob Reiner’s Daughter Speaks Out After Father’s Death
• Rob and Nick Reiner’s Fight at Conan O’Brien’s Christmas Party Detailed
• Joe Biden’s Rob Reiner Statement Compared to Donald Trump’s
• Who Are Rob Reiner’s Children? Nick, Tracy, Jake and Romy
• Rob Reiner’s Best Movies: From ‘The Princess Bride’ to ‘Stand By Me’

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Dec 17, 2025 at 01:10 AM EST

Marjorie Taylor Greene scolds Trump for ‘classless’ comments on Reiner

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia criticized President Donald Trump for his statement about Rob Reiner, saying the president should have responded with compassion to the tragic murders of Reiner and his wife, Michele.

“MAGA faithful reacted big time and they called it out, it’s all over social media,” Green told CNN in an interview, referring to Trump’s statement.

“His supporters, including myself, we didn't appreciate hearing the president, who himself was shot, and after Charlie Kirk’s horrific murder…even if you don’t agree with Rob Reiner politically, there was no reason for his statement,” she said.

“I thought that statement was completely below the Office of the President of the United States, classless, and it was just wrong,” she said.

“It’s a tragic murder, it’s a family ripped apart and from my understanding…drug abuse and mental illness. Many families across America deal with family members that are drug addicts or have mental health issues and I think the president should have responded with compassion and talked about those issues. He didn't have to make it about politics.”

Asked why other Republicans had not called out the president for his remarks about Reiner, Green said she could not comprehend it, but she said she believed when it comes to support for Trump, Republicans were increasingly looking to their own election prospects.

“I think the dam is breaking,” she said. “Many Republicans may not have called him out but just last week 13 Republicans voted with Democrats , overturned one of President Trump’s executive orders.”

“That is a sign, you’re seeing Republicans, they’re entering the campaign season for 2026 which is a large signal that lame duck season has begun and that Republicans will go all in for themselves in order to save their own re-elections.”

Dec 16, 2025 at 10:54 PM EST

Massage therapist led to discovery of Rob Reiner’s body

A massage therapist telephoned Rob Reiner’s daughter when she turned up for an appointment at the Los Angeles home of Rob and Michele Reiner on Sunday but no one answered the door, the New York Times reported.

The daughter, Romy Reiner, lives nearby and came round to let the massage therapist in and found her father's body, according to a person close to the family, who spoke to the New York Times on condition of anonymity.

The person said that Romy Reiner fled the home and raised the alarm without realizing that her mother was also dead inside.

Dec 16, 2025 at 10:30 PM EST

‘Flat and emotionless’ Nick Reiner stood out at Conan O’Brien’s Christmas party

Nick Reiner stood out at Conan O’Brien’s party on Saturday night for how little he engaged with anyone else and because of his scruffy clothes, a source who attended the gathering told CNN.

The source recounted seeing Reiner early in the evening standing alone by a firepit, smoking a cigarette, dressed casually in a hoodie, hat, and jeans at a party where most guests were dressed up.

The source saw Nick Reiner later in the evening and said he appeared “flat and emotionless.”

Dec 16, 2025 at 09:10 PM EST

Friends of Rob and Michele Reiner release statement on ‘special force’ couple

Friends of Rob and Michele Reiner released a statement to the Associated Press signed by Billy and Janice Crystal, Albert and Kimberly Brooks, Martin Short, Alan and Robin Zweibel, Larry David and Ashley Underwood, Marc Shaiman and Lou Mirabal, Barry and Diana Levinson and Ambassador James Costos and Michael Smith.

“Going to the movies in a dark theater filled with strangers having a common experience, laughing, crying, screaming in fear, or watching an intense drama unfold is still an unforgettable thrill. Tell us a story audiences demand of us. Absorbing all he had learned from his father Carl and his mentor Norman Lear, Rob Reiner not only was a great comic actor, he became a master story teller. There is no other director who has his range. From comedy to drama to “mockumentary” to documentary he was always at the top of his game. He charmed audiences. They trusted him. They lined up to see his films.

“His comedic touch was beyond compare, his love of getting the music of the dialogue just right, and his sharpening of the edge of a drama was simply elegant. For the actors, he loved them. For the writers he made them better. His greatest gift was freedom. If you had an idea, he listened, he brought you into the process. They always felt they were working as a team. To be in his hands as a film maker was a privilege but that is only part of his legacy.

“Rob was also a passionate, brave citizen, who not only cared for this country he loved, he did everything he could to make it better and with his loving wife Michele, he had the perfect partner. Strong and determined, Michele and Rob Reiner devoted a great deal of their lives for the betterment of our fellow citizens... They were a special force together-dynamic, unselfish and inspiring. We were their friends, and we will miss them forever.

“There is a line from one of Rob’s favorite films, It’s a Wonderful Life, ‘Each man’s life touches so many other lives, and when he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?’. You have no idea.”

Dec 16, 2025 at 08:05 PM EST

Nick Reiner’s arraignment to be set for later date

The L.A. County District Attorney's office has announced that Nick Reiner's arraignment will bet set for a later date, after the 32-year-old was charged with two counts of first-degree murder over the death of his parents.

Dec 16, 2025 at 07:52 PM EST

‘Good, solid police work’ helped cops catch Nick Reiner, says LAPD chief

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell praised his department's “good, solid police work" after officers arrested Nick Reiner for the murder of his parents.

Reiner was found in a public area of L.A.’s Exposition Park, near the University of Southern California campus, on Sunday evening, hours after Rob and Michele Singer Reiner's bodies were discovered.

McDonnell praised the “investigative tools” used by the LAPD's robbery homicide unit and gang narcotics detectives for helping officers track down the 32-year-old suspect, adding that Nick Reiner had not tried to escape but was "taken into custody without issue."

Dec 16, 2025 at 07:35 PM EST

What Eric Idle says Rob Reiner told him in final hours of his life

Rob Reiner spent more than an hour on the phone with actor Eric Idle the night before he and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found stabbed to death in their Los Angeles home, Idle said. The conversation, described by Idle as a warm and reflective exchange, was among the filmmaker’s final moments.

"He was telling me about filming at Stonehenge and his thoughts for the future. This is so awful. I shall miss him. A clever, talented and very thoughtful man. So awful," Idle posted on X.

Idle said he met Reiner in 1975 and that they had remained close friends for five decades. At the time of his death, Reiner was reportedly working on a reboot of the sitcom Fawlty Towers with Idle's fellow Monty Python member John Cleese, a project Reiner and his wife were producing, Deadline reported.

Their deaths drew tributes from across the political and entertainment spectrum.

Read in full: What Eric Idle Says Rob Reiner Told Him in Final Hours of His Life

Dec 16, 2025 at 07:24 PM EST

READ: The legal complaint against Nick Reiner in full

Dec 16, 2025 at 07:12 PM EST

First-degree murder charges filed against Nick Reiner

Nick Reiner has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder over the death of his parents; Hollywood director Rob Reiner, 78, and photographer Michele Singer Reiner, 70.

He is charged with two counts of murder with the special circumstance allegation of multiple murders. He also faces a special allegation that he personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon - a knife.

Reiner, 32, will face a max sentence of life in prison without possibility of parole or the death penalty if convicted, although Hochman said no decision had yet been made on the latter.

Dec 16, 2025 at 06:52 PM EST

What to know about Michele Singer Reiner

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 20: Director Rob Reiner (L) and wife Michele Singer attend the premiere of "The Magic of Belle Isle" at the Directors Guild of...Read More

Michele Singer Reiner, who died at age 70 alongside her husband, Rob Reiner, in their Los Angeles home, leaves behind a legacy that bridged art, film, and activism.

A photographer in the late 1980s, she met Reiner while visiting the New York set of When Harry Met Sally…. Their relationship not only led to marriage but also inspired a pivotal change in the film’s ending, with the director deciding Harry and Sally should ultimately marry.

Singer Reiner later contributed to her husband’s projects, serving as an exceptional photographer on Misery (1990) and producing Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (2025). Beyond Hollywood, she and Reiner co‑founded the “I Am Your Child” campaign in the 1990s, advocating for early childhood development and parental support services.

Dec 16, 2025 at 06:45 PM EST

Rob and Nick Reiner’s fight at Conan O’Brien’s Christmas party detailed

Rob Reiner and his son Nick got into an argument at a party hosted by the comedian Conan O’Brien the night before the acclaimed director and his wife, Michele, were found dead, according to multiple reports citing unnamed sources.

Nick Reiner, 32, was arrested on Sunday night and is in custody on murder charges, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD).

Nick and Rob Reiner got into an argument at a Christmas party held by O’Brien, with The New York Times reporting that Nick Reiner had alarmed guests with his behavior during the party in West Los Angeles on Saturday night*,* citing two attendees who asked not to be named to preserve relationships.

The Times also reported that Nick Reiner had hovered at the fringes of the gathering, and that he appeared anxious and uncomfortable in a way that unsettled them.

Read in full: Rob and Nick Reiner’s Fight at Conan O’Brien’s Christmas Party Detailed

Dec 16, 2025 at 06:22 PM EST

Prosecutors say it’s too early to comment on Nick Reiner’s mental health

Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman told reporters on Tuesday that it was too early to say whether mental illness played a part in the Reiners' murders.

"If there is evidence of mental illness, it will appear in court, in whatever details the defense seeks to present," he said at the press conference.

A hearing for Nick Reiner was delayed this morning because jail officials ruled that he was not medically fit enough to attend. It was not clear whether the determination involved mental or physical health.

Dec 16, 2025 at 06:03 PM EST

Mick Foley cuts ties with WWE over Donald Trump’s Rob Reiner comments

Mick Foley, a WWE legend, announced on Tuesday that he was parting ways with the WWE because of President Donald Trump's "incredibly cruel" remarks about Rob Reiner after his death.

Foley, a WWE Hall of Famer, helped define WWE's "Attitude Era" and beat The Rock for the WWE title in 1999 before retiring in 2000. He returned to the WWE as a commissioner and commentator.

Foley posted on Instagram that his concerns about WWE's close relationship with Trump had been stewing for months, but Trump's comments about Reiner were the "final straw."

Read in full: Mick Foley Cuts Ties With WWE Over Donald Trump’s Rob Reiner Comments

Dec 16, 2025 at 05:40 PM EST

WATCH: Rob Reiner’s interviews about his son resurface after his murder

Dec 16, 2025 at 05:20 PM EST

Did Nick Reiner live with his parents?

Nick Reiner had been living in a guest house on his parents' property in Brentwood, an affluent neighborhood in Los Angeles, near Sunset Boulevard, at the time of the murders.

His mother Michele Singer Reiner had become increasingly concerned about his mental health in recent weeks, a source told the Los Angeles Times.

Nick Reiner had previously talked about doing drugs and trashing the guest house, during a 2018 episode of the “Dopey,” podcast about addiction and recovery.

“I got totally spun out on uppers, I think it was coke and something else, and I was up for days on end, and I started punching out different things in my guest house,” Reiner said.

“I think I started with the TV and then I went over to the lamp and then … just everything in the guest house got wrecked.”

Dec 16, 2025 at 05:09 PM EST

Prosecutors will consider Reiner family in whether to pursue capital punishment

Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said that prosecutors will consider the wishes of the surviving Reiner family, on whether to pursue the death penalty against Nick Reiner if he's convicted.

“Like any of these cases, we will take the thoughts and desires of the family into consideration in making our decision,” Hochman told reporters on Tuesday at the press conference.

Dec 16, 2025 at 05:00 PM EST

Authorities still waiting for coroner’s report

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said that he could not release an official time of death for Rob and Michele Singer Reiner on Tuesday, as police were still waiting for the report from the Coroner's Office.

"We don't have that kind of specificity yet," he said.

Dec 16, 2025 at 04:52 PM EST

WATCH: Authorities announce Nick Reiner facing two counts of first-degree murder

Dec 16, 2025 at 04:45 PM EST

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell calls loss of Rob and Michele Reiner heartbreaking ‘for our entire city’

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell called the loss of Hollywood director Rob Reiner, and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, "heartbreaking" for the entire city of Los Angeles.

"This case is heartbreaking and deeply personal, not only for the Reiner family and their loved ones, but for our entire city," he told reporters at Tuesday's press conference.

"We extend our deepest condolences to all of those who are affected by this tragedy."

Dec 16, 2025 at 04:43 PM EST

Authorities decline to say whether Nick Reiner has confessed to murder of his parents

Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman declined to say at Tuesday's press conference, whether Nick Reiner had confessed to the murders of Rob and Michele Singer Reiner during his arrest.

Hochman also said that further details about the alleged murder weapon, would be released in court.

"One of these special allegations is that the murder was committed with a deadly weapon or a knife, as to where and how the weapon will be, was located or will be located, that will actually be evidence we'll present in court," Hochman said.

Dec 16, 2025 at 04:40 PM EST

New details released on arrest of Nick Reiner

LAPD Detective Chief, Alan Hamilton, released new details about the arrest of Nick Reiner, after his parents were found murdered at their home on Sunday.

Hamilton said Reiner was arrested in Exposition Park, in L.A., near the University of Southern California campus. He was approached by the officers and taken into custody without incident.

Dec 16, 2025 at 04:28 PM EST

LA DA speaks about ‘tragic’ loss of Rob Reiner and wife Michele

L.A. District Attorney Nathan Hochman described the tragic loss of Rob and Michele Singer Reiner at the the press conference on Tuesday.

"Rob Reiner was a brilliant actor and director, an iconic force in our entertainment industry for decades," Hochman said.

"His wife Michele Singer Reiner was an equally iconic photographer and producer ... their loss is beyond tragic, and we have we will commit ourselves to bringing their murderer to justice," he added.

Dec 16, 2025 at 04:15 PM EST

Nick Reiner could face death penalty for murder of Rob, Michele Reiner

Nick Reiner, who is facing two counts first degree murder special circumstance for the murder of his parents, will face a max sentence of life in prison without possibility of parole or the death penalty.

Nathan Hochman District Attorney said that no decision had been made on the death penalty.

"Prosecuting these cases involving family members are some of the most challenging and most heart wrenching cases that this office faces because of the intimate and often brutal nature of the crimes involved. Rob Reiner was a brilliant actor and director, an iconic force in our entertainment industry for decades," Hochman said.

Dec 16, 2025 at 04:13 PM EST

Prominent attorney Alan Jackson represents Nick Reiner

Alan Jackson, one of Los Angeles’ most recognized criminal defense lawyers, has taken on the case of Nick Reiner, who was arrested Sunday following the deaths of his parents, filmmaker Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.

Jackson, known for representing Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey and Karen Read, previously served as a prosecutor in the major crimes division of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. He was the lead prosecutor in the 2009 murder trial of music producer Phil Spector.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Jackson said Reiner, 32, would not appear in court because he had not been medically cleared to leave jail. He declined to discuss how he came to represent Reiner, who remains in custody and has not yet been formally charged.

Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the couple’s deaths at their Brentwood home.

Dec 16, 2025 at 04:00 PM EST

Maria Shriver says she’s ‘horrified and disgusted’ by murders of Rob and Michele Reiner

Journalist Maria Shriver said that she's been left "horrified and disgusted" by murders of her "good friends" Rob and Michele Reiner.

"I try to rise above the noise all the time, but this individual has no human decency. This goes beyond. It’s absolutely disgusting," she said.

"We should all be horrified and disgusted by this inhumane behavior, because that’s what it is. Rob and Michele Reiner were good, kind, loving people. They were good human beings and good friends to me and countless others.

"Their family is in deep, unimaginable pain. What kind of human being would share a statement like this, much less a president? Rob and Michele would tell me to just ignore him, but I can’t. I just can’t. And I hope you don’t either. They deserve so much better, as does their family," she added.

View this post on X

Dec 16, 2025 at 03:46 PM EST

Shania Twain pays tribute to two ‘talents and powerhouses’

Shania Twain shared a heartbreaking tribute to Rob and Michele Singer Reiner who were found dead in their West Los Angeles home over the weekend.

The singer wrote on X, "Words cannot describe how shocked and saddened I am to hear of the passing of Rob and Michele Reiner. Two true talents and powerhouses of our generation - gone too soon.

"My heartfelt condolences to their family at such a difficult time."

View this post on X

Dec 16, 2025 at 03:27 PM EST

‘New Girl’ cast and creator mourn Rob Reiner

Hollywood continues to grieve the loss of director and actor Rob Reiner, with New Girl star Zooey Deschanel and series creator Liz Meriwether among those paying tribute. Reiner appeared in 11 episodes of the Fox sitcom as Jess’ father, Bob.

Deschanel, who played his on‑screen daughter, called him “the absolute warmest, funniest, most generous of spirits” in a heartfelt post, adding that she cherished their time working together and was devastated by his death.

Meriwether remembered Reiner as “kind, hilarious, generous and game to do anything,” recalling his humor and wisdom on set. Actress Hannah Simone, who played Jess’ best friend Cece, described him as “one of the most deeply kind human beings I have ever spent time with.”

Dec 16, 2025 at 03:13 PM EST

Prosecutors face Wednesday deadline in Reiner case

Authorities said Monday that Los Angeles County prosecutors have until the end of Wednesday to decide whether to file charges in connection with the deaths of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.

The timeline follows the arrest of the couple’s son, Nick Reiner, who was taken into custody Sunday night. Police announced that the case will be presented to the District Attorney’s Office for review, where prosecutors will determine whether formal charges are warranted.

Dec 16, 2025 at 03:00 PM EST

Nick Reiner went to rehab at least 18 times during his battle with addiction

Rob Reiner's son Nick went to rehab at least 18 times during his struggle with drug addiction, People reported.

Nick had spoken openly about his substance abuse issue which began back in his early teens. His first trip to rehab began when he was only 15, but he was in and out of facilities as his addiction spiraled. He even ended up homeless as he drifted from home.

The 32-year-old later co‑wrote Being Charlie, a semi‑autobiographical film directed by his father that explored the strain of his troubled youth and repeated stints in rehab.

Dec 16, 2025 at 02:47 PM EST

LAPD police chief to join DA at Tuesday press conference

Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, Jim McDonnell, will join the L.A. County D.A. at this afternoon's press conference where officials are expected to share an update on the case.

Dec 16, 2025 at 02:27 PM EST

LA County DA set to hold press conference at 4 p.m. ET

Nathan Hochman, the Los Angeles County district attorney, is set to provide an update on the murders of Rob and Michele Reiner on Tuesday.

Hochman will hold the press conference at 1 p.m. local time (4 p.m. ET), Newsweek confirmed.

A message seeking additional details from Reiner’s Los Angeles-based attorney, Alan Jackson, was not immediately returned Tuesday.

Dec 16, 2025 at 02:14 PM EST

Uncommon Knowledge: Trump’s Rob Reiner insult and the death of dissent

Ronald Reagan liked allies who agreed with him just 80 percent of the time; Abraham Lincoln preferred rivals who disagreed with him most of the time—and put three of them in his Cabinet. Barack Obama, nodding to Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Team of Rivals, made his 2008 primary opponent Hillary Clinton his secretary of state, a sign of managed friction in the Situation Room. That tradition—inviting argument to sharpen judgment—used to be engrained in American politics.

This week, Donald Trump made the opposite point in 200 words. In a Truth Social post after Rob Reiner’s killing, the president called the director “tortured and struggling” and suggested that he died because of an “incurable affliction” he labeled “TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME,” later telling reporters, “I wasn’t a fan of his at all.” The post drew swift rebukes from across the aisle.

This was not merely a breach of taste. It says something else. Reiner is, as far as onomasticians can deduce, a Germanic-origin name built from ragin (counsel) and heri (army)—literally “counsel of the army.” Yet, in Year One of Trump 2.0 there have been no Cabinet firings—an engineered calm that means fewer Reiners in the room, and fewer chances to say “don’t” before the president hits post.

Read in full: Uncommon Knowledge: Trump’s Rob Reiner Insult and the Death of Dissent

Dec 16, 2025 at 02:00 PM EST

Who is celebrity defense attorney Alan Jackson?

...

Alan Jackson is a Los Angeles–based criminal defense attorney widely known for representing celebrities and other high-profile figures facing serious criminal charges.

A former U.S. Air Force jet engine mechanic, Jackson later earned his law degree from Pepperdine University and built his early career as a prosecutor in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. He rose to become assistant head deputy of the Major Crimes Division and gained national attention for leading the successful prosecution of music producer Phil Spector for murder, a case that underscored his reputation as a formidable courtroom lawyer.

After leaving the DA’s office and an unsuccessful run for Los Angeles district attorney in 2012, Jackson transitioned into private practice, where he became one of the most sought-after defense attorneys for famous and powerful clients. He is now a founding partner at Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, a firm that specializes in high-stakes criminal defense. Over the past decade, Jackson has represented actor Kevin Spacey, defended Harvey Weinstein during his Los Angeles sexual assault trial, and handled cases involving professional athletes, business executives, and international figures, often under intense media scrutiny.

Dec 16, 2025 at 01:45 PM EST

What is the motive in the murders of Rob and Michele Singer Reiner?

No official motive has been released in the murders of Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner.

Their son, Nick Reiner, was arrested hours after the couple's deaths on Sunday. He was booked on suspicion of murder on Monday and remains in jail without bail.

According to the Los Angeles Times, family friends said Rob and Nick Reiner argued Saturday evening at a party hosted by Conan O’Brien, where guests said they noticed Nick behaving erratically. Nick, who has long struggled with addiction, had been living in a guesthouse on his parents’ property, and friends said Michele Reiner had grown increasingly worried about his mental health in recent weeks.

Dec 16, 2025 at 01:28 PM EST

Stephen King pays tribute to ‘wonderful friend, political ally’ Rob Reiner

Stephen King has paid tribute to director Rob Reiner who he described as a "wonderful friend" and a "political ally."

"I’m horrified and saddened by the death of Rob Reiner and Michele. Wonderful friend, political ally, and brilliant filmmaker (including 2 of mine). Rest in peace, Rob. You always stood by me," he wrote on X on Monday.

Both King and Reiner have been some of Donald Trump's most outspoken critics for many years, opposing many of his policies and criticizing Trump's aggressive rhetoric.

View this post on X

Dec 16, 2025 at 01:15 PM EST

What do we know about Nick Reiner’s mental health battles?

Nick Reiner, the 32‑year‑old son of filmmaker Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, has spoken openly about his struggles with addiction and mental illness.

In 2015, he co‑wrote Being Charlie, a semi‑autobiographical film directed by his father that explored the strain of his troubled youth and repeated stints in rehab.

In interviews, Nick described years of instability, including periods of homelessness, while Rob later expressed regret about how he had handled his son’s recovery efforts.

According to the Los Angeles Times, family friends said Rob and Nick Reiner argued Saturday evening at a party hosted by Conan O’Brien, where guests also noticed Nick behaving erratically.

Nick, who has long struggled with addiction, had been living in a guesthouse on his parents’ property, and friends said Michele Reiner had grown increasingly worried about his mental health in recent weeks.

Dec 16, 2025 at 12:54 PM EST

What did Rob Reiner say about Donald Trump?

Rob Reiner was one of President Donald Trump’s most outspoken critics, once describing him as "the single-most unqualified human-being to ever assume the Presidency of the United States."

"He is mentally unfit. Not only does he not understand how government works, he has no interest in trying to find out how it works," added, to Variety in 2017.

A couple of years later, and Reiner's position had not softened, with him calling the president "a racist" whose election campaign was based on "white nationalism."

"If you support him, there can be no distinction between you being a racist and a racist enabler. They are the same," he said on social media.

He also suggested Trump was "crazy" but got away with his comments because he was a celebrity.

Reiner also framed Trump’s political actions in existential terms for American governance, declaring, “We’re in a war for our democracy. Trump has declared war on this democracy,” during a CNN appearance in September this year.

Dec 16, 2025 at 12:49 PM EST

Nicker Reiner will not appear in court today

Nick Reiner will not appear in court today, as he has not been medically cleared, his lawyer, Alan Jackson, told reporters outside a Los Angeles court on Tuesday.

A hearing had been expected following Reiner's arrest on allegations he murdered his parents; Hollywood director Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, in their West Los Angeles home over the weekend.

Jackson said his client had not been medically cleared to be transferred from the jail to the courthouse.

He did not provide any further details about Reiner's defense.

Dec 16, 2025 at 12:44 PM EST

Republican leaders dodge questions on Trump’s Reiner comments

Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson both declined to comment when pressed about President Donald Trump’s comments on director Rob Reiner on Monday.

Trump had suggested in a Truth Social post that both Reiner and his wife were murdered due to “Trump derangement syndrome.”

Thune, who described the incident as a "tragedy," and offered his "sympathies and prayers" to the family, was asked about Trump's post by a CNN reporter.

“I don’t have much more to say about it, other than it’s a tragedy, and my sympathies and prayers go out to the Reiner family and to their friends," he said.

Johnson also declined to comment on Trump's comments, instead sharing a Bible quote and offering his prayers to the Reiner family.

“It’s another reminder of just the senseless violence and evil that’s so rampant in our society. So our prayers go out to the Reiner family and survivors, and everybody who is affected by this,” he said.

However, many other GOP lawmakers and MAGA supporters have criticized the president for attacking Reiner just a few short hours after his murder.

Dec 16, 2025 at 12:25 PM EST

WATCH: Trump doubles down on post calling Reiner ‘deranged’

Dec 16, 2025 at 12:15 PM EST

James Woods pays tribute to Rob Reiner

Actor James Woods said he is “absolutely devastated” by the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner, recalling his longtime friendship with the filmmaker despite their political differences. Speaking to Fox News’ Jesse Watters, Woods credited Reiner with “literally saving” his career.

Woods, known for his conservative views, said friends were often surprised by his bond with Reiner, a lifelong liberal. “Political differences never stood in the way of our love and respect for each other,” he wrote in a social media post Sunday.

He described Reiner as a “godsend” and a “great patriot,” emphasizing that disagreement over politics never diminished their friendship. “Because you disagree with people doesn’t mean that you have to hate people,” Woods said, condemning negative remarks made about Reiner after his death.

Woods added that he loved Reiner “as a friend, as an artist, as an icon of Hollywood and as a patriot,” and said he was heartbroken for the Reiner family.

Dec 16, 2025 at 11:59 AM EST

What to know about the film Rob Reiner made for his son, Nick

One of Rob Reiner's many films was Being Charlie, which was co-written by his son Nick Reiner, who told People magazine in 2016 that it was loosely based on his experiences.

IMDb's blurb for the film says: "A would-be governor's addicted son goes down the long, rough road of rehab, fighting against recovery every inch of the way."

Nick Reiner, who attended his first rehab facility at the age of 15, has been open about his struggles with addiction, telling People magazine in 2016 that it ultimately led to stints of homelessness in Maine, New Jersey and Texas.

“I spent nights on the street. I spent weeks on the street," he said. "It was not fun."

“If I wanted to do it my way and not go to the programs they were suggesting, then I had to be homeless,” Nick Reiner added.

In Being Charlie, the main character, Charlie, clashes with his parents, who he feels are treating his addiction harshly, according to The Hollywood Reporter's summary of the film.

“The program works for some people, but it can’t work for everybody,” Rob Reiner previously told the LA Times. He added, “When Nick would tell us that it wasn’t working for him, we wouldn’t listen. We were desperate, and because the people had diplomas on their wall, we listened to them when we should have been listening to our son.”

Michele added, “We were so influenced by these people. They would tell us he’s a liar, that he was trying to manipulate us. And we believed them.”

Nick Reiner said in the same interview that their film Being Charlie was one of the good things that came out of rehab.

Dec 16, 2025 at 11:45 AM EST

What were Rob Reiner’s greatest films?

Rob Reiner is credited with being behind some of the most memorable - and regularly quoted - films in American history. During the mid-1980s to the early 1990s, he delivered a plethora of critically acclaimed and commercially successful movies, including the fantasy adventure The Princess Bride and the coming-of-age classic Stand By Me. His best work includes:

• This is Spinal Tap (1984)
• The Sure Thing (1985)
• Stand By Me (1986)
• The Princess Bride (1987)
• When Harry Met Sally (1989)
• Misery (1990)
• A Few Good Men (1992)

Dec 16, 2025 at 11:31 AM EST

Inside the romance that inspired ‘When Harry Met Sally’

Reiner was known for directing classics, including This Is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally, and A Few Good Men. The son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, he had been married to photographer Michele Singer Reiner since 1989. The two met while he was directing When Harry Met Sally and have three children together.

Reiner told CNN show Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace in 2024 that he had changed the ending to the romcom classic after the pair met during filming. In the film, Harry declares his love for Sally and they get married, but in the original ending, the pair did not get together.

“I’d been married for ten years,” he said. “I’d been single for ten years, and I couldn’t figure out how I was ever going to be with anybody. That gave birth to When Harry Met Sally. I hadn’t met anybody, so it was going to be the two of them seeing each other after years, talking, and then walking away from each other.”

Dec 16, 2025 at 11:16 AM EST

Prosecutor: Investigators focus on motive in Reiner case

Investigators examining the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner may be concentrating more on motive than identity, former federal prosecutor Alyse Adamson told CNN on Tuesday. Police have alleged that the couple’s son, Nick Reiner, was responsible for the killings.

Nick Reiner, 32, was arrested Sunday night and booked on suspicion of murder after his parents were found dead in their Brentwood home. Los Angeles police said he is “responsible” for the deaths, though the district attorney’s office has not yet filed charges.

Adamson said the statement suggests authorities may believe there is “overwhelming evidence” linking him to the crime. The key legal question, she noted, will be whether prosecutors pursue first-degree murder, which requires proof of premeditation, or second-degree murder, which indicates a more spontaneous act.

She added that investigators will analyze the manner of death and other evidence to determine whether the attack was planned or impulsive.

Dec 16, 2025 at 11:02 AM EST

Michelle Obama reveals that she was going to see the Reiners ahead of their deaths

Michelle Obama said on Jimmy Kimmel Live! late Monday that she and her husband, former President Barack Obama, had planned to see Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner on the night the couple was found dead in their Los Angeles home.

“Rob and Michele Reiner are some of the most decent, courageous people you ever want to know,” she told Kimmel, adding that the pair were “passionate people” who consistently stood up for fairness and equity.

Police said the bodies of Reiner, 78, and his wife, 70, were discovered Sunday in what they described as an apparent homicide. Their son, Nick Reiner, 32, was arrested later that evening and is being held without bail on suspicion of murder.

The Obamas had known the Reiners for years, with Rob Reiner serving as a prominent Democratic donor and activist who championed causes including same-sex marriage and early childhood education. In a statement after the deaths, Barack Obama wrote that the couple “lived lives defined by purpose” and praised Reiner’s work as reflecting “a deep belief in the goodness of people.”

Watch the interview here:

Dec 16, 2025 at 10:48 AM EST

Reiner deaths add to Brentwood’s tragic history

Rob Reiner, the acclaimed actor and director, and his wife, producer and photographer Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their Brentwood home on Dec. 14. Authorities described the case as an apparent homicide, and their son Nick has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Their daughter, Romy, reportedly discovered the couple inside the residence.

The tragedy has shocked Hollywood and beyond, but Brentwood has long been associated with high-profile deaths. The neighborhood was the backdrop for the O.J. Simpson murder trial in the 1990s, after his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ron Goldman were killed nearby. Simpson’s Rockingham estate became central to the case and was later demolished.

Brentwood also holds a darker chapter in Hollywood history as the site of Marilyn Monroe’s death in 1962. The actress was found in her home from an apparent overdose, a property that has since been preserved as a historic landmark.

The Reiners’ mansion, purchased from Norman Lear in 1991, has now become the latest Brentwood crime scene. The 10,000-square-foot estate had been a hub for political gatherings and family life for more than three decades before the couple’s deaths.

Dec 16, 2025 at 10:33 AM EST

Where did Rob Reiner live?

Actor and director Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife, producer and photographer Michele Singer Reiner, 68, were found dead in their Brentwood home on Dec. 14, in what authorities described as an apparent homicide.

Multiple sources said the couple, married for more than three decades, were killed by their son Nick and discovered by their daughter Romy.

Dec 16, 2025 at 10:29 AM EST

Who found Rob and Michele Reiner dead?

...

Rob Reiner, the acclaimed actor and director, and his wife, producer and photographer Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their Los Angeles home on Sunday, according to multiple sources.

Their daughter, Romy, discovered the couple before authorities arrived.

Emergency calls were made to the Los Angeles Fire Department around 3:30 p.m., and first responders identified the victims as Rob and Michele Reiner. Sources said the couple was killed by their son, Nick Reiner, who was later arrested on suspicion of murder.

Dec 16, 2025 at 10:25 AM EST

What did Rob Reiner previously say about Donald Trump?

Rob Reiner, the acclaimed filmmaker who died over the weekend alongside his wife Michele Singer Reiner, was known not only for his Hollywood legacy but also for his outspoken criticism of President Donald Trump.

In a 2017 interview with Variety, Reiner called Trump “mentally unfit” and “the single most unqualified human being to ever assume the presidency.” In later years, he warned that Trump’s leadership could push the United States toward “full‑on autocracy,” telling The Guardian in 2024 that such a shift would threaten democracy worldwide.

Reiner also tied Trump’s rise to the influence of Christian nationalism, which he explored in his documentary God and Country. He argued that Trump himself was not religious but had become a vessel for extremist ideas. At various points, Reiner described Trump as a “criminal” who “lies every minute of his life,” and likened his 2024 campaign to a “zombie or a cockroach.”

His comments reflected deep concern about the erosion of democratic norms, with Reiner warning on CNN and MSNBC that speaking out against Trump carried risks but was necessary.

Following Reiner’s death, Trump posted on Truth Social, dismissing the director’s critiques as “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and calling him “once very talented.”

Dec 16, 2025 at 10:21 AM EST

What did President Donald Trump say about Rob Reiner?

Donald Trump weighed in on the deaths of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele, who were found dead in their Los Angeles home on Sunday. In a post on his social media account, Trump described the news as “a very sad thing” but framed Reiner’s passing through the lens of his long‑standing criticism of the director’s outspoken opposition to him.

Trump referred to Reiner as “once very talented” but claimed he was afflicted by what he called “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” suggesting the director’s political views had consumed him. The former president’s remarks contrasted sharply with tributes from Hollywood and political leaders, who remembered Reiner for his acclaimed films and activism.

Dec 16, 2025 at 10:17 AM EST

Why was Nick Reiner arrested?

Nick Reiner, son of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and producer Michele Singer Reiner, was arrested Sunday night on suspicion of murdering his parents after they were discovered dead in their Brentwood home.

Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said officers responded to the residence around 3:40 p.m. and later located Reiner, 32, near USC in South Los Angeles, roughly 15 miles from the crime scene. He was taken into custody at about 9:15 p.m., according to a law enforcement source.

McDonnell described the case as “a tragic incident” and extended condolences to the Reiner family and friends during a Monday news conference.

Dec 16, 2025 at 10:13 AM EST

What to know about Nick Reiner’s struggles with addiction

Nick Reiner, son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner and producer Michele Singer Reiner, spent years battling addiction before turning his experiences into art. On Monday, he was booked into Los Angeles County jail on suspicion of murdering his parents, who were found stabbed to death in their Brentwood home.

Reiner, 32, cycled through rehab programs and periods of homelessness as a teenager before achieving sobriety in 2015. That year, he collaborated with his father on Being Charlie, a semi-autobiographical film about addiction and recovery. The project drew heavily from their strained relationship and efforts to rebuild trust.

In interviews, Nick spoke candidly about the dangers of heroin use and the difficulties of treatment, while Rob and Michele described the anguish of navigating conflicting advice from counselors. The film became a therapeutic process for the family, though tensions persisted.

Police have released few details about the killings. Friends said Rob and Nick argued at a party the night before the couple’s deaths, and witnesses described Nick acting erratically. Authorities continue to investigate as prosecutors weigh formal charges.

Dec 16, 2025 at 10:09 AM EST

What to know about Michele Reiner

Michele Singer Reiner, 67, was a producer and actress who led her own successful career in Hollywood and collaborated with her husband on many projects. She won an Emmy nomination for Albert Brooks: Defending My Life, which she produced and was directed by Rob. Other works she is known for include Misery, Mixed Nuts and Shock and Awe, according to IMDb.

She met her future husband on the set of When Harry Met Sally and the two got married in 1989, the same year the film came out.

Rob Reiner has credited Michele as not only an inspiration for the ending to When Harry Met Sally, but also for his activism work.

“I can honestly say the reason I’ve done as many things in the political sphere is largely because of her,” he said at the Montclair Film Festival in 2016, according to an archived conversation. “She is my Bunsen burner that lights the flame in my ass.”

Dec 16, 2025 at 10:05 AM EST

What to know about Rob and Michele Reiners’ murders

...

Award-winning actor and director Rob Reiner and his wife, producer and photographer Michele Singer Reiner, were found stabbed to death in their Los Angeles home on Sunday, police said.

Their son, Nick Reiner, 32, was arrested later that evening on suspicion of murder and is being held in the Los Angeles County jail without bail. Authorities said the case will be presented to the district attorney’s office on Tuesday as prosecutors weigh charges.

Police Chief Jim McDonnell confirmed officers responded to reports of deaths at the Reiners’ Brentwood residence around 3:40 p.m. Sunday, where the couple was discovered. “A very, very tragic incident,” McDonnell said at a Monday news conference.

Rob Reiner, 78, was known for his decades-long career in Hollywood, from starring in All in the Family to directing classics such as This Is Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally…, and The Princess Bride. Michele Reiner, 70, was a photographer and producer whose creative partnership influenced her husband’s work.

Dec 16, 2025 at 09:58 AM EST

LAPD confirms arrest photos of Nick Reiner briefly posted

The Los Angeles Police Department acknowledged that photographs appearing to show Nick Reiner’s arrest were briefly posted online by its Gang and Narcotics Division before being taken down.

The images, later circulated by several news outlets, appeared to depict Reiner being detained near Exposition Park in Los Angeles. Police officials confirmed the authenticity of the photos but said they were removed shortly after being uploaded.

Reiner, 32, was arrested Sunday following the deaths of his parents, filmmaker Rob Reiner and producer Michele Singer Reiner, at their West Los Angeles home. He remains in custody without bail as prosecutors review potential charges.

Dec 16, 2025 at 09:54 AM EST

Estate battle likely to stall amid Reiner case

Marc M. Stern, partner at Greenberg Glusker and an expert in private client services, told Newsweek that California law broadly bars anyone who “feloniously and intentionally kills” a decedent from inheriting property or serving as a fiduciary under that person’s will or trust.

Under Probate Code section 254, a final criminal conviction or guilty plea is conclusive. In cases without a conviction, probate judges may apply a lower “preponderance of evidence” standard to determine whether a killing was intentional. However, Stern noted that courts rarely intervene in criminal matters and typically defer to criminal verdicts.

Because criminal proceedings can take years, Stern said an alleged killer’s share of an estate often remains frozen pending trial and appeals. He cited a 2017 case in which distribution was delayed nearly a decade due to ongoing appeals.

By contrast, Stern pointed to the Menendez brothers, who initially collected insurance and assets before being charged months later. In the Reiner case, where the son was promptly arrested, Stern expects the estate to remain in limbo until the criminal courts reach an outcome.

Dec 16, 2025 at 09:50 AM EST

Legal expert weighs in on Reiner case: exclusive

In exclusive comments to Newsweek, Seth J. Zuckerman, a prominent criminal defense attorney and former New York City prosecutor, outlined the legal distinctions and challenges ahead in the case of Nick Reiner, who was booked on suspicion of murdering his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner.

Zuckerman explained that being “booked” reflects only the police arrest, while prosecutors decide whether to formally charge at arraignment or through a grand jury indictment. He said defense attorneys in such cases typically begin by examining mental health and substance abuse history, as well as digital evidence of family disputes.

Critical evidence will include forensic findings from the scene, potential witness testimony, surveillance footage, and any statements Reiner may have made to police. Zuckerman noted that Reiner’s documented struggles with addiction and mental health could shape defense arguments around diminished capacity and intent.

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