Nick Reiner charged with murder of parents

Nick Reiner, the son of Hollywood director Rob and his photographer wife Michele, has been charged with two counts of first degree murder after his parents were found stabbed to death at their home on Sunday.

Nick Reiner, 32, was arrested several hours after the bodies of his father, actor-director Rob Reiner, 78, and mother, photographer-producer Michele Reiner, 70, were discovered in the couple's house on Sunday afternoon.

Prosecutors said evidence gathered by the Los Angeles Police Department led homicide detectives to Mr Reiner, who was taken into custody without incident.

Police investigators turned over the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, and DA Nathan Hochman said at a news conference that two counts of first-degree murder would be formally filed in court against Nick Reiner.

He also faces a special allegation that he personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon, a knife.

Mr Hochman said the charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole, or capital punishment, but prosecutors have yet to decide whether to seek the death penalty in the case.

Various news media outlets have reported that Nick Reiner had been seen quarreling with his parents on Saturday night at a holiday party hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien.

Nick Reiner, the younger of the Reiners' two sons and their middle child, had spoken publicly about his years-long struggle with substance abuse and homelessness.

He has remained held without bail at a Los Angeles County lockup since he was arrested on suspicion of murder on Sunday night.

Prominent Los Angeles defence attorney Alan Jackson, representing Mr Reiner, said his client had yet to be medically cleared for his initial court appearance today, but would possibly be arraigned tomorrow.