A Los Angeles County grand jury has indicted Nick Reiner, 32, on two counts of first-degree murder with the special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder by means of lying in wait in the stabbing deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70, at their Brentwood home on December 14, 2025.
Reiner pleaded not guilty to the charges during an arraignment on February 23, 2026, in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The indictment, returned by a grand jury on July 20, 2026, replaces an earlier murder case filed in 2025 and includes a new allegation that Reiner lay in wait before attacking his parents. Prosecutors also allege he personally used a knife in the killings.
Reiner remains held without bail and is scheduled to return to court for a pretrial hearing on September 15, 2026. If convicted as charged, he faces life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty, though prosecutors have not yet decided whether to seek capital punishment.
Key Details of the Indictment
The grand jury indictment adds two special circumstance allegations to the murder charges:
- Multiple murders: The killings of both Rob and Michele Reiner are treated as a single case involving two victims.
- Murder by means of lying in wait: Prosecutors allege Reiner deliberately concealed his intent and waited to ambush his parents.
The indictment also includes a special allegation that Reiner used a dangerous and deadly weapon, specifically a knife, during the killings. These enhancements increase the potential penalties if he is convicted.
Timeline of Events Leading to the Indictment
December 14, 2025: Rob and Michele Reiner were found stabbed to death in their Brentwood home. Their daughter, Romy Reiner, reportedly discovered their bodies around 3:30 p.m.
December 15, 2025: Nick Reiner was arrested in Exposition Park, near the University of Southern California (USC), less than six hours after the bodies were found. He was charged with two counts of murder the following day.
December 16, 2025: An initial murder case was filed against Reiner. Reports indicated he had been living on his parents' property at the time of the killings.
February 23, 2026: Reiner made his initial court appearance, where he pleaded not guilty to the original charges. His defense attorney, Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene, declined to comment.
July 20, 2026: A grand jury returned the new indictment, adding the special circumstance allegations of lying in wait and multiple murders.
February 23, 2026: The indictment was unsealed, and Reiner pleaded not guilty to the updated charges during a court hearing.
Prosecutorial Statements and Legal Process
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman described the case as “a profound betrayal by someone who was loved and trusted by the very people he is accused of killing.” He emphasized that the grand jury indictment brings the case “one step closer to a trial and achieving justice.”
Hochman also noted that the decision on whether to seek the death penalty will follow a rigorous review process, involving input from experienced prosecutors with death penalty expertise. He stated:
“This case is a death penalty eligible case. Along those lines, we take the process in which we determine whether or not the death penalty should be sought extremely seriously. That goes through a very rigorous process. We will be looking at all mitigating and aggravating circumstances.”
Reiner’s defense team has been invited to present written and oral arguments before a final decision on seeking the death penalty is made.
Background on the Victims and the Accused
Rob Reiner was a renowned actor, director, and producer, best known for his role as Michael “Meathead” Stivic on the CBS sitcom All in the Family, for which he won two Emmy Awards. He also directed iconic films such as The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally…, A Few Good Men, Stand by Me, and This Is Spinal Tap.
Michele Singer Reiner was a successful photographer and producer, known for her work in the entertainment industry. She took the official portrait of former President Donald Trump used on the cover of his book The Art of the Deal.
Nick Reiner is the youngest child of Rob and Michele Reiner. His siblings include Jake Reiner and Romy Reiner. Reports indicate he had a history of mental health and substance abuse issues and was living on his parents’ property at the time of the killings.
The night before the murders, Nick Reiner was seen in a loud argument with his father at a holiday party hosted by Conan O’Brien, according to sources cited by multiple outlets.
Legal and Procedural Next Steps
The grand jury indictment bypasses the preliminary hearing process, allowing the case to proceed directly to trial. This avoids the public airing of evidence and witness testimony that would have occurred in a preliminary hearing.
Reiner is scheduled to appear in court on September 15, 2026, for a pretrial hearing. The case is expected to move toward trial following this hearing, though no trial date has been set.
Prosecutors have not yet made a decision on whether to seek the death penalty. The determination will be based on a review of aggravating and mitigating factors, including Reiner’s mental health history, the circumstances of the killings, and the impact on the victims’ family.
Public and Media Reaction
The case has drawn significant media attention due to the prominence of the victims and the nature of the allegations. Coverage has focused on:
- The allegation of lying in wait, which suggests a premeditated and deliberate attack.
- The potential penalties, including the possibility of the death penalty.
- The personal history of Nick Reiner, including his struggles with mental health and addiction.
- The impact on the Reiner family, including the reactions of Rob and Michele’s other children, Jake and Romy Reiner.
No motive for the killings has been publicly disclosed. The investigation remains ongoing, with law enforcement continuing to gather evidence.