Nick Reiner is in custody after the celebrated filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were found dead in their Los Angeles home

15 December 2025

Actor/Producer/Director Rob Reiner (center) and wife Michele Singer (L) and son Nick Reiner (R) attend Teen Vogue's Back-to-School Saturday kick-off event at The Grove on August 9, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Teen Vogue)

The family of legendary Hollywood director and actor Rob Reiner is reeling after authorities took his son, 32-year-old Nick Reiner, into custody in connection with the deaths of Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, who were found slain in their Brentwood, Los Angeles home on Sunday, December 14, 2025. The couple’s daughter discovered the bodies at approximately 3:30 p.m., prompting a fire department response and a homicide investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division. In the wake of the tragedy, law enforcement officials have arrested Nick and set his bail at $4 million, as investigators continue to piece together the circumstances surrounding the tragic deaths.

Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 68, were found dead inside their residence with apparent stab wounds. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a medical aid call and located the two victims, later confirmed as the couple by family and authorities. The discovery immediately shifted to a homicide investigation, with detectives focusing on events leading up to the deaths and questioning family members. Within hours, Nick was taken into custody by law enforcement and is now being held on bail pending further proceedings.

Nick’s arrest came after an intense period of law enforcement activity following the grim discovery. Police have not publicly disclosed all charges, but law enforcement sources and public records confirm that he is in custody and that the case is being treated as a suspected homicide. Officials have stressed that the investigation is ongoing and that more details will be provided as the case develops.

The Reiner family released a statement expressing heartbreak and requesting privacy during this difficult period. News of the deaths quickly spread through Hollywood, with tributes pouring in from colleagues, friends, and public figures who remembered Rob Reiner for his remarkable contributions to film and television. Reiner’s work spanned decades, from his early acting breakthrough on All in the Family to his celebrated directorial career that included classics such as This Is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride and A Few Good Men. His creative legacy marked him as one of the most versatile talents in entertainment history.

Michele Singer Reiner was also a respected figure in her own right. A photographer and producer, she worked closely with Rob and was known as a supportive partner both personally and professionally. The couple married in 1989 after meeting during the production of When Harry Met Sally..., and together they built a family and a life deeply rooted in both artistic collaboration and personal devotion.

Nick’s presence in the custody situation adds a layer of profound complexity and tragedy to a story already steeped in sorrow. He had previously spoken publicly about his long struggle with addiction, which began in his teens and led to periods of homelessness. That personal history formed the basis of the semi-autobiographical film Being Charlie, which Rob Reiner directed in 2016 and which explored themes of family, addiction, and recovery through a fictionalized lens inspired by Nick’s experiences. The candid nature of that project underscored a family’s effort to grapple openly with real and painful challenges.

The fact that the fatal incident involves a direct family member has sent shockwaves through the entertainment community and among fans worldwide. Hollywood figures have publicly mourned the couple’s deaths and expressed deep sympathy for their children, including mystery and disbelief at the unfolding legal developments. Comments from colleagues and friends have highlighted Rob Reiner’s generosity, his creative brilliance, and the deep affection in which he was held by peers across generations of film and television creators.

Law enforcement officials have indicated that the investigation is ongoing, with detectives continuing to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and seek a full understanding of what led to the deaths. While Nick is in custody, authorities have not yet released a complete accounting of the evidence or outlined charges in detail. The involvement of the family in the investigation has been handled with sensitivity by police, and the LAPD has maintained that the case remains active as forensic work and legal procedures progress.

The tragedy has brought an outpouring of public reaction, with fans and industry professionals alike reflecting on the body of work Reiner contributed to American culture and the profound loss felt by those who admired his storytelling and advocacy. Friends, collaborators, and public figures lauded Reiner’s influence and the way his films touched millions of lives, blending humour, heart, and moral insight in ways that resonated across generations. Michele Singer Reiner’s own artistic contributions and her role as a partner in life and work have also been remembered fondly in tributes.

As the legal process unfolds, questions remain about the specifics of the events that preceded the deaths and what ultimately prompted the fatal incident. The court system will now take up the matter of Nick’s custody and the charges he faces, with bail set at $4 million while the case moves forward. In the meantime, a grieving family and a grieving creative community continue to mourn an extraordinary life and grapple with the shock of this devastating loss.