Romy Reiner, the daughter of filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner and producer Michele Singer Reiner, walked into her family’s Brentwood home without realizing she was about to confront an unimaginable tragedy. According to reports, she did not initially know that both of her parents were dead when she discovered her father’s body inside the residence. What began as concern quickly turned into shock that would ripple far beyond the walls of the home.
Reporting from The New York Times indicates that the 27-year-old went to the house on the afternoon of Sunday, December 14, after a massage therapist contacted her, saying they were unable to reach anyone inside for a scheduled appointment. Alarmed by the silence, Romy decided to check on her parents herself. When she entered the house, she found her father deceased and fled in distress, still unaware that her mother was also dead inside the home.
Sources cited by People later said Romy only learned of her mother’s death after speaking with a paramedic. Authorities subsequently confirmed that both Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 68, had suffered fatal knife wounds. The Los Angeles Police Department immediately launched a homicide investigation, drawing intense public and media attention.
Several hours after the discovery, police arrested the couple’s son, Nick Reiner, near the University of Southern California campus. The 32-year-old was taken into custody following what investigators described as a rapid development of evidence. Reports also revealed that Nick had been seen arguing intensely with his father the night before at a Christmas party hosted by Conan O’Brien.
On Tuesday, December 16, prosecutors charged Nick Reiner with two counts of first-degree murder, including a special allegation involving the use of a knife. If convicted, he faces life in prison without parole. Officials have not yet confirmed whether the death penalty will be sought.
As the case unfolds, the deaths of Rob and Michele Singer Reiner have cast a shadow over Hollywood. Rob Reiner’s legendary career as an actor, director, and activist, alongside Michele’s respected work as a producer, leaves behind a legacy now intertwined with profound family tragedy.