Director Rob Reiner and His Wife Are Found Dead Inside Their L.A. Home: Son Nick Is Arrested on Suspicion of Murder

by Charlie Lankston

Famed Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his photographer wife, Michele Singer, were found dead inside their Los Angeles home Sunday afternoon after being stabbed to death—hours before their son, Nick Reiner, was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Nick, 32, was taken into custody hours after his parents' bodies were found, according to online records for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department seen by Realtor.com®. A statement issued by the Los Angeles Police Department on Monday afternoon confirmed that he had been arrested in connection with the murders of his parents.

Despite initial booking records stating that Nick's bail had been set at $4 million, the LAPD confirmed that he is now being held without bail.

"As a result of the initial investigation, it was determined that the Reiners were the victims of homicide," the statement reads. "The investigation further revealed that Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of Robert and Michele Reiner, was responsible for their deaths."

According to the booking documents, he was taken into custody at 9:15 pm local time on Dec. 14, around six hours after paramedics arrived on the scene at the Reiners' Brentwood home.

The case is due to be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office for "filing consideration" on Tuesday, Dec. 16, the statement added.

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed on the evening of Sunday, Dec. 14 that they had responded to a report of two deceased people aged around 78 and 68 years old inside the property but did not immediately confirm their identities, according to NBC News.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JUNE 28: Actor/director Rob Reiner (R) and Michele Reiner attend the wedding ceremony and celebration for Proposition 8 Plaintiffs Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo on June 28, 2014 at The Beverly Hilton. Hilton is committed to ensuring that every guest feels cared for, valued and respected, and sets the stage for LGBT travelers, no matter what the occasion.   (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for Hilton Hotels & Resorts)
Famed Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his photographer wife, Michele Singer, were found dead inside their Los Angeles home Sunday afternoon after being stabbed to death in an apparent homicide. (Getty Images for Hilton Hotels & Resorts)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 04:  (L-R) Director Rob Reiner and his son Nick Reiner attend AOL Build Presents: "Being Charlie"  at AOL Studios In New York on May 4, 2016 in New York City.  (Photo by Rommel Demano/Getty Images)
Reiner's son, Nick Reiner, was taken into custody around six hours after authorities arrived at his parents' home and he has since been booked for murder. (Rommel Demano/Getty Images)
Los Angeles, CA - December 14: Law enforcement near the home of Rob Reiner in Brentwood on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
In a statement issued on Dec. 15, the LAPD said that their initial investigation determined that Nick was "responsible" for his parents' deaths. (Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

However, their deaths were later confirmed in a statement issued by the Reiner family, which read: "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."

Reiner, who directed a number of movie hits, including "When Harry Met Sally," "A Few Good Men," and "This Is Spinal Tap," and his wife had purchased the property in 2013 for $3.2 million, according to property records.

Paramedics were dispatched to the dwelling, which is located on the intersection of Chadbourne Avenue and Marlboro Street, at around 3:30 pm local time on Dec. 14, followed by LAPD officers a few minutes later.

Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton confirmed in a statement Sunday night that a homicide investigation was underway but gave little other details about the case. However, a law enforcement source told CNN that investigators were interviewing a family member.

"At this time, the LAPD is not seeking anyone as a suspect or as a person of interest ... and we will not be doing that until we conduct our investigation and we move forward," Hamilton stated.

"Before we do anything here, we have to get a search warrant because there are issues regarding standing at this residence," he added. "So as long as those legal requirements are met, we can continue the investigation."

He added that the investigation would continue overnight.

Reiner and his wife wed in 1989 after meeting while the former was directing "When Harry Met Sally" and they shared three children: Jake, Nick and Romy. Reiner was also the adoptive father of actress Tracy Reiner, the daughter of his first wife, late actress and director Penny Marshall.

In a statement issued on Sunday night, Tracy voiced her devastation over Reiner and Singer's deaths, saying: "I came from the greatest family ever. I don’t know what to say. I’m in shock."

BRENTWOOD, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 14: LAPD officers put up police tape as the police investigate two people found dead in Rob Reiner's home on December 14, 2025 in Brentwood, California. The LAPD confirmed that the deceased are Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton confirmed in a statement on Sunday night that a homicide investigation was underway. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
Rob Reiner and MIchele Singer found dead inside their home
A neighbor of the couple praised them for their fun presence in the community. (NBC News)
LAPD press conference about Rob Reiner and Michele Singer
Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton confirmed in a statement Sunday night that a homicide investigation was underway but gave little other details about the case. (NBC News)

She added that she had seen her father the previous day at a family gathering.

Tributes poured in from around the world in the wake of the news, including from former President Barack Obama who sent his "deepest condolences" to the couple's family.

"Rob's achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen," he said. "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."

Hollywood star Jerry O'Connell, who appeared in Reiner's 1986 project "Stand By Me," spoke out to share his devastation over the news, telling People that he feels "like a parent has passed."

"We're all shocked," he said of the movie's entire cast. "I can't speak for them [costars Wil Wheaton and Corey Feldman], but for myself, I feel like a parent has passed, you know? I just feel like a parent has passed."

Actor Eric Idle revealed in a post on X that he had spoken to Reiner, who was the son of comedian Carl Reiner, on the phone for "over an hour" the day before his death, writing: "I spoke to him last night for over an hour. I met him at his Dad's in 1975. He was telling me about fiming at Stonehenge and his thoughts for the future.

"This is so awful. I shall miss him. A clever, talented and very thoughtful man. So awful."

Comedian Ben Stiller also expressed his sadness at the loss of such a great creative mind, writing in a social media post: "Rob Reiner was one of my favorite directors. He made some of the most formative movies for my generation.

"He came out from behind a huge comedic shadow of the great Carl Reiner and being a TV actor to being a a great director who made an incredible run of movies.

"'Spinal Tap' is one of the best comedies ever made—and the list goes on. He was a kind caring person who was really really funny."

Rob Reiner and Michele Singer
Reiner and Singer wed in 1989 after meeting while he was directing "When Harry Met Sally." They are seen together at the premiere of the movie. (MediaPunch via Getty Images)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom shared a statement on behalf of himself and his wife, Jennifer, in which he praised Reiner's work and the joy it brought to so many people.

“Jen and I are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner," he said. “Rob was the big-hearted genius behind so many of the classic stories we love, with projects as wide-ranging as ‘The Princess Bride’ to ‘A Few Good Men.’

"His boundless empathy made his stories timeless, teaching generations how to see goodness and righteousness in others – and encouraging us to dream bigger."

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described Reiner's death as a “devastating loss for our city and country," stating that she was "heartbroken" by the news.

“Rob Reiner’s contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice,” she said.

"I knew Rob and have tremendous respect for him. I want to thank all of the first responders who were called to this tragic event. The investigation is ongoing. I’m holding all who loved Rob and Michele in my heart."

One of Reiner and Singer's neighbors told ABC News that they had seen actors Billy Crystal, who starred in Reiner's "When Harry Met Sally," and Larry David arriving at the property after police were seen on the scene, noting: "Billy looked like he was about to cry."

The same neighbor added that one of Reiner and Singer's children owns a home across from the couple's property, where they live with their children, revealing: "They’re a big presence on the block. They’re always having parties."

Brentwood is known as one of Los Angeles' most star-studded neighborhoods and has been home to the likes of Jim Carrey, Reese Witherspoon, Diane Keaton, and Gwyneth Paltrow over the years.

This is a developing story, please check back for updates.

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