Prosecutors charged Nick Reiner, 32, with murdering his parents, Rob (pictured) and Michele Reiner, in Brentwood. Photo / Getty Images
Prosecutors charged Nick Reiner, 32, with murdering his parents, Rob (pictured) and Michele Reiner, in Brentwood. Photo / Getty Images
Prosecutors in Los Angeles have vowed to “pursue justice” following the “shocking and tragic” murder of Rob Reiner and his wife.
The bodies of the Hollywood director, 78, and his 68-year-old wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were discovered at their home in the exclusive Brentwood area of Los Angeles on Sunday and authorities have since charged the couple’s 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, with two counts of first-degree murder.
A statement released by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office claimed Nick Reiner knifed his parents at their home in the early hours of Sunday morning before fleeing the scene. It read: “In approximately the early morning hours of December 14, Reiner is accused of fatally stabbing Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, at their home in the 200 block of South Chadbourne Avenue in Brentwood.
“Nick Reiner fled but was arrested hours later that evening in Exposition Park.
Rob Reiner, the Hollywood director, and his wife Michele were both found dead with stab wounds on Sunday. Photo / Getty Images
“If convicted as charged, Reiner faces death or life in state prison without the possibility of parole. A decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be made at a later date.”
The statement added of the charges: “32-year-old Nick Reiner was charged today with murdering his parents, Hollywood luminary Rob Reiner and photographer-producer Michele Singer Reiner, over the weekend at the couple’s Brentwood home ...
“Nick Reiner [dob 9/14/93] was charged in case 25CJCF08098 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.
“Arraignment will be scheduled for a later date ...”
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said in the release: “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.
If convicted, Nick faces death or life in prison without parole; arraignment is pending. Photo / Getty Images
“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.”
In a press conference held on Tuesday, Hochman confirmed he’s still waiting for details on the cause of death and the exact time of the killings.
He explained: “I’m sorry we don’t have that kind of specificity yet. We’re waiting on the coroner to be able to try and determine as best they can at this point time of death.”
