Politics
Nick Reiner Makes First Court Appearance, Could Face Death Penalty
Nick Reiner, 32, who is charged with murdering his father, famed film director Rob Reiner and his mother, Michele, made his first court appearance on Wednesday, roughly 72 hours after he allegedly carried out the brutal killing.
Reiner sported a grim look and was wearing a suicide-prevention vest when he virtually appeared in a Los Angeles courtroom. He waived his right to a speedy arraignment and to enter a plea, speaking minimally.
He is charged with two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances alleging multiple murders and the personal use of a deadly weapon (a knife) in the stabbing deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner. These enhancements make the case eligible for the death penalty or life without parole if convicted, though District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated that no decision has yet been made on seeking capital punishment
The accused killer is being represented by prominent criminal defense lawyer Alan Jackson, who indicated his client required medical clearance before in-person appearances and addressed media briefly outside court.
Here are courtroom sketches of Nick Reiner. The judge did not allow media members to take video/pics of him today.
Sketches by Mona Shafer Edwards. @LawCrimeNetwork pic.twitter.com/0K2z3AXyJS
— Chris Stewart (@CStewartNews) December 17, 2025
Rob and Michele Reiner were found stabbed to death in their Brentwood home on Sunday afternoon. Exact time of death awaits autopsy results, potentially Saturday night or early Sunday.
The couple’s body’s were discovered by their daughter, Romy, who found them with multiple stab wounds. When calling police, she informed them that Nick should be viewed as a prime suspect.
Nick Reiner was arrested hours later without incident near Exposition Park/USC in South Los Angeles, after being located via police tracking tools. He is held without bail, and evidence includes his presence and behavior leading up to the incident, though specific forensic details — such as recovery of the murder weapon — remain undisclosed pending trial.
The middle child of the Reiners’ three, Nick has publicly battled severe substance abuse since adolescence, entering rehab as early as age 15 and experiencing periods of homelessness. He co-wrote the 2015 semi-autobiographical film Being Charlie with his father, depicting a teen’s addiction struggles, which the family discussed openly in interviews as reflecting real desperation and multiple failed treatments.
Rob Reiner and his son, Nick, discuss a joint project they worked on in 2016
On Saturday night, just hours before the bodies were discovered, Nick attended a star-studded holiday party hosted by Conan O’Brien. Witnesses described him acting erratically, while he at one point reportedly had a heated altercation with Saturday Night Live legend Bill Hader.
Witnesses also reported a second argument with his father, which was audible to many guests and causing unease. The younger Reiner then abrutly stormed off and was not seen again until his arrest on Sunday night.
The accused killer’s arraignment date has been pushed back while awaiting medical clearances and is expected sometime in January.
