Shocking Tragedy in Brentwood: Rob Reiner and Wife Michele Found Stabbed to Death; Son Nick Charged with Murder
By Senior Correspondent, Los Angeles Chronicle December 31, 2025
Los Angeles — The Hollywood community remains in profound shock following the brutal stabbing deaths of legendary filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, photographer and producer Michele Singer Reiner, in their upscale Brentwood home on December 14, 2025. The couple’s 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, was arrested hours later and charged with two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances of multiple murders. If convicted, he faces life without parole or the death penalty.
The bodies of Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele, 70, were discovered in the master bedroom of their residence on South Chadbourne Avenue by their daughter Romy Reiner around 3:40 p.m. that Sunday. There were no signs of forced entry, and authorities quickly ruled the deaths homicides due to multiple sharp force injuries from a knife. Prosecutors allege Nick fatally stabbed his parents in the early morning hours before fleeing the scene.
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Rob Reiner, the iconic director of classics like “When Harry Met Sally…” and “The Princess Bride,” in a recent portrait.
Nick was located and arrested near Exposition Park that evening using cellphone data and surveillance footage. He has been held without bail since. His arraignment, initially postponed, highlights the case’s complexity, with defense attorneys signaling potential mental health defenses.
Sources close to the investigation reveal Nick had been diagnosed with schizophrenia years ago and was undergoing treatment, including recent medication adjustments that reportedly led to erratic behavior. Family friends describe a long history of struggles, including substance abuse starting in his teens, multiple rehab stints, and periods of homelessness—issues partially explored in the 2015 film “Being Charlie,” co-written by Nick and directed by his father.
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The Reiners’ luxurious Brentwood home, scene of the tragic double homicide.
A chilling detail emerged in the days prior: The family attended a holiday party hosted by Conan O’Brien on December 13, where Nick reportedly exhibited antisocial behavior and argued with his father. Guests noted his disheveled appearance and detachment. The Reiners left early, returning home where Nick resided in the guesthouse.
In a joint statement, siblings Jake and Romy Reiner expressed unimaginable grief: “Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day. The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience.”
Rob Reiner’s legacy as a director, actor (famous for “All in the Family”), and activist endures. His final film, “This Is Spinal Tap II: The End Continues,” premiered months earlier. Michele was remembered for her photography and supportive role in his career.
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Crime scene tape and police vehicles outside a similar high-profile residential investigation site.
The Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division continues the probe, with District Attorney Nathan Hochman calling it one of the “most challenging and heart-wrenching” cases involving family violence. Experts note the rarity of such adult parricide/matricide, often linked to severe mental illness rather than typical motives.
As tributes pour in—from stars like Billy Crystal to political figures—the case underscores the hidden toll of untreated mental health crises, even in privileged families. A memorial service is planned for early 2026.
This tragedy reminds us that behind Hollywood’s glamour, profound human struggles persist. The Reiner family requests privacy as justice proceeds.
