Rob Reiner's son denies grand jury murder charges

Nick Reiner to reappear in court on Sep 15

LOS ANGELES:

The son of legendary US film director Rob Reiner denied new charges of killing both his parents when he appeared in court on Wednesday after grand jury indictments were unsealed.

Nick Reiner pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder, with the special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder by means of lying in wait.

The charges supercede the previous ones that were filed over the December 2025 double slaying of his filmmaker father and his photographer mother Michele Singer.

The 32-year-old was arrested on December 14 after his parents' bloodied bodies were discovered at their home in the affluent Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles.

Rob Reiner, 79 -- who directed huge hits including "When Harry Met Sally" and "A Few Good Men" -- and his wife, 70, were stabbed to death.

Nick Reiner, who has a history of addiction and remains in jail, was ordered to return to court on September 15.

"This was a profound betrayal by someone who was loved and trusted by the very people he is accused of killing," Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.

"The indictment unsealed today also adds a special circumstance allegation that the defendant committed the murders by means of lying in wait.

"We hope that by having a grand jury return an indictment in this case it will bring us one step closer to a trial and achieving justice."

If convicted as charged, Nick Reiner could face life in prison without parole, or the death penalty, although California does not routinely carry out capital punishment.

Nick Reiner, who lived in a guest house on his parents' property, had attended a party at the home of comedian Conan O'Brien on December 13 with his parents, where some attendees reportedly said he had behaved erratically.

Rob Reiner, the son of legendary comedian Carl Reiner, started his showbiz career in acting.

He won fame as the oafish son-in-law Michael "Meathead" Stivic on groundbreaking 1970s sitcom "All in the Family," before transitioning to directing.

As a director, his output included classic films like 1984's rock music mockumentary "This is Spinal Tap," fantasy gem "The Princess Bride" from 1987, and seminal coming-of-age movie "Stand By Me."

Robert Reiner directed a series of acclaimed studio films in a career that spanned comedy, drama, romance, and documentary. Reiner received numerous accolades, including winning two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Hugo Award, as well as nominations for an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and nine Golden Globe Awards. He was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999 and received the Chaplin Gala Tribute at the Film at Lincoln Center in 2014. Three of his films have been inducted into the National Film Registry.

Michele Singer Reiner was an American photographer, political activist, and film producer. Reiner was the second wife of filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner. She was originally a photographer, taking the cover picture of The Art of the Deal (1987). While working on When Harry Met Sally... (1989), Reiner met her future husband and inspired him to revise the film's ending.

She expanded into political activism with her husband and moved into producing in the 2010s. Reiner frequently collaborated with her husband and was the co-president of Castle Rock Entertainment.