Nick Reiner Could Face Death Penalty for Murder of Parents Rob and Michele Reiner

Nick Reiner, the son of Rob and Michele Reiner, is being charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of his parents at their home in Brentwood.

The charges carry a maximum sentence of life without parole or the death penalty, said Nathan Hochman, the Los Angeles district attorney. The charges, which will be formally filed Tuesday afternoon, include the allegation that a knife was used to commit the murders.

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“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,” Hochman said at a press conference.

The charges include the “special circumstance” of multiple murders, which makes the crime potentially eligible for the death penalty.

The D.A.’s office will make a decision at a later point about whether to pursue a death sentence. Hochman, who was elected last year, has revived the death penalty in Los Angeles County, reversing a moratorium adopted by his predecessor, George Gascón. However, California has suspended all executions since 2019.

The 32-year-old was arrested Sunday night and booked on suspicion of murder on Monday morning. He is being held without bail at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in Los Angeles.

Nick Reiner was arrested without incident near the USC campus in the Exposition Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, which is about 12 miles from Brentwood, LAPD officials said.

He was expected to make his initial appearance in court on Tuesday, but was not transported from the jail. His attorney, Alan Jackson, told reporters that he was not “medically cleared” to be taken to court.

Jackson, a former L.A. County prosecutor who once ran for district attorney, has represented several high-profile defendants, including Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, and Karen Read. As a prosecutor, he obtained a guilty verdict against Phil Spector for the murder of Lana Clarkson.

Rob and Michele Reiner were found dead inside their home on Sunday afternoon around 3:40 p.m. They had reportedly been stabbed to death. The Los Angeles Police Department said at the time that their deaths were being investigated as a homicide.

Nick Reiner had previously discussed his struggles with addiction and homelessness and co-wrote the 2015 film “Being Charlie,” which Rob directed, about his experiences.

Rob and Michele Reiner’s death stunned Hollywood and the world on Sunday night. The son of comedian and writer Carl Reiner, Rob Reiner first became known for playing Meathead in the popular sitcom “All in the Family.” He later directed hit films like “Stand by Me,” “This Is Spinal Tap,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “A Few Good Men” and more. Many of his friends and co-stars paid tribute to him and Michele after their deaths.