LA district attorney files first-degree murder charges against Rob Reiner's son

LOS ANGELES (CN) — Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced that his office is filing first-degree murder charges against Nick Reiner in relation to the death of his parents, celebrated filmmaker Rob Reiner and wife Michele Reiner, during a brief press conference on Tuesday.

“Prosecuting these cases that are against family members are some of the most heart-wrenching cases because of their intimate nature,” Hochman told the press conference. “Their loss is beyond tragic. We will commit ourselves to bringing their murderer to justice.”

Police officers discovered the popular filmmaker and actor dead on Sunday at a residence in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, located on the 200 block of South Chadbourne Avenue. An investigation into their deaths revealed that they were killed by their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, who was located and arrested at about 9 p.m. that evening, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Hochman did not provide reporters with many details of the Reiners’ death but did say a knife was involved. Authorities refused to say whether Nick Reiner, who has a history of substance abuse, appeared under the influence or if he was suffering from mental illness when contacted by police.

Police discovered Nick Reiner in a public area at Exposition Park, near the University of Southern California Campus, where he was arrested without incident, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell told the press.

Nick Reiner is currently in the process of being medically cleared to enter the Los Angeles County Jail, where he will be held without bail, Hochman said.

The police were first notified of the situation after the Los Angeles Fire Department sent a request to investigate the residence, LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton said.

“I am asking everyone to rely on trusted sources,” Hochman told reporters. “If it doesn’t come from the LAPD, the District Attorney’s Office, the Coroner’s Office or from the court, then it’s a good chance it’s misinformation. Please do not rely on rank speculation, remarks or hearsay to understand anything in this case.”

Hochman could not provide a timeline for the case going forward.

“These are some of the most serious charges a district attorney can bring against anyone,” he said. “Do I anticipate it being very fast? No. I anticipate it being very thorough."

Rob Reiner was perhaps best known for his credits as a filmmaker, directing popular ’80s and ’90s movies like “When Harry Met Sally,” “The Princess Bride," “Stand By Me,” and “This Is Spinal Tap,” among many others.

Nick Reiner worked together with his father on the 2015 film “Being Charlie,” which he wrote and Rob Reiner directed. The movie is a semiautobiographical account of Nick Reiner’s struggles with addiction and homelessness.

Nick Reiner, who described going in and out of rehab 18 times by 2016, expressed gratitude for the support of his parents, calling his father compassionate in an Access Hollywood interview about the film.

“Listen to your kids,” Rob Reiner said in the interview. “Try to spend as much time as you can with your kids. Try to understand your kids and don’t punish them because, in my opinion, the reason they’re taking drugs or alcohol, whatever they’re doing is because there’s a pain.”

Rob Reiner got his start in a breakout role as an actor in the 1970s sitcom “All in the Family.” Most recently, he appeared in a role this year in season four of the Hulu television series about the restaurant industry “The Bear.”

Rob and Michele Reiner are survived by their children Jake and Romy Reiner and Rob Reiner’s daughter from a previous marriage, Tracy Reiner.

“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time,” a spokesperson for the family said in a statement.

Rob Reiner, who was an outspoken about progressive causes, was remembered well by others in the film industry as well as political leaders, including former President Barack Obama.

“Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen,” Obama, a friend of the Reiners, wrote on social media. “But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people — and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action. Together, he and his wife lived lives defined by purpose. They will be remembered for the values they championed and the countless people they inspired. We send our deepest condolences to all who loved them.”