Hollywood is in mourning after the shocking deaths of legendary director Rob Reiner and his wife, actress Michele Singer, with their son now in police custody. Nick Reiner, 32, was arrested on Sunday night in connection with what authorities are investigating as a double homicide at the couple's Brentwood mansion in Los Angeles.
A Tragic Discovery and Swift Arrest
The bodies of Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer, 68, were discovered inside their Los Angeles home on Sunday afternoon. A police source indicated that both victims appeared to have suffered fatal knife wounds, leading detectives to treat the case as a double murder.
According to documents from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, their son, Nick Reiner, was taken into custody later that evening at 9:15pm. He is currently being held on an exceptionally high bail set at $4 million (approximately £3,007,744). The arrest followed reports from sources who alleged Nick was responsible for his parents' deaths and was being questioned by investigators.
A Family's Public and Private Struggles
The arrest casts a tragic light on the family's long-documented challenges. Nick Reiner has been open about his past battles with drug addiction and periods of homelessness. In a 2016 interview, he revealed, "I was homeless in Maine. I was homeless in New Jersey. I was homeless in Texas; I spent nights on the street. I spent weeks on the street. It was not fun."
This personal turmoil became the basis for the 2015 film Being Charlie, which Nick co-wrote with his father. The drama, about a teenage addict whose father is a politician, mirrored their own family dynamics. Rob Reiner later told the LA Times they had not always listened to their son regarding his treatment, stating, "When Nick would tell us that it wasn't working for him, we wouldn't listen." Nick credited his own determination for getting clean, saying he "got sick of it" and felt he wasn't supposed to be living such a troubled life.
A family spokesperson released a heartbroken statement, saying, "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." It has been reported that the couple's daughter, Romy, who lives across the street, was the one who discovered her parents' bodies.
Industry Shock and Tributes Pour In
The news has sent waves of grief through the entertainment industry and beyond. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the deaths as "a devastating loss for our city and our country," praising Rob Reiner's contributions to culture and advocacy.
Neighbours and colleagues were seen visiting the crime scene, with Billy Crystal – star of Reiner's iconic film When Harry Met Sally – reportedly looking distraught. Tributes have flooded in from figures including former President Barack Obama, author Stephen King, and comedian Eric Idle, who spoke with Rob just hours before his death.
Rob Reiner, the son of comic legend Carl Reiner, directed era-defining films like Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, and This Is Spinal Tap. He met Michele Singer on the set of When Harry Met Sally, marrying her in 1989. Singer was an accomplished actress and producer, known for works like Misery. The couple had three children together: Jake, Nick, and Romy.
Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton of the Los Angeles Police Department confirmed that investigators plan to "speak to every family member that we can to get to the facts of this investigation." The case continues to develop as the world processes the loss of two beloved Hollywood figures in such tragic circumstances.
