Nick Reiner faces murder charges for the deaths of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, in a December stabbing inside their Brentwood home. On Wednesday, Reiner, aged 32, pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder. Special circumstance allegations include multiple murders and murder by means of lying in wait, as reported by Los Angeles County officials.
Reiner appeared in a 13th-floor courtroom at the Criminal Courts Building in downtown Los Angeles. The new charges replace an original murder case filed in 2025. The indictment, returned last month, introduces a special circumstance of lying in wait. These allegations can impact potential penalties during sentencing.
“This was a profound betrayal by someone who was loved and trusted by the very people he is accused of killing,” District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman stated.
Reiner’s defense attorney, Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene, offered no comment following the arraignment.
The indictment moves the case towards a jury trial, eliminating the need for a public preliminary hearing initially expected in the fall. He also faces allegations of personally using a deadly weapon, a knife, according to the DA. Reiner, held without bail, was arrested on December 15, a day after his parents’ bodies were found. A court hearing is set for September 15.
If convicted, Reiner could face the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole. The decision on pursuing the death penalty will be made later.
Rob Reiner, 78, a renowned director of films like “When Harry Met Sally…,” “A Few Good Men,” and “This Is Spinal Tap,” and Michele Reiner, 70, a photographer and producer, were prominent figures. Their deaths shocked the Hollywood community, leading to numerous tributes from industry colleagues and political figures.
The family has faced challenges, including Nick’s battles with drug addiction. In September, the Reiner family attended the Los Angeles premiere of “Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues.”
Nick Reiner has openly discussed his struggles with addiction starting in his teens. He shared in a 2016 People interview about cycling through treatment facilities and dealing with homelessness and relapses.