Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – 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.”
© 2024 AFP
