The bodies of British expatriates Rob and Michele Reiner have been cremated, official documents have confirmed, following their brutal murders in Spain earlier this year. The couple's death certificate, recently released by authorities, formally records the cause of death as homicide, cementing the tragic end to a case that has shocked their local community and international observers.
Official Details Emerge from Death Certificate
The death certificate, issued by a court in Malaga, provides the first official confirmation of several key details surrounding the couple's fate. It states that Rob Reiner, 72, and Michele Reiner, 70, died on February 5, 2024. The document lists their place of death as their own home in the Mijas area of Spain's Costa del Sol, a detail consistent with the initial police discovery.
Most starkly, the certificate formally records the cause of death for both individuals as 'violent death by homicide'. This official designation comes months after the couple were found deceased in their villa, with reports indicating they had suffered severe head injuries. The document also confirms that their remains were subsequently released for cremation.
A Community in Shock and an Ongoing Investigation
The Reiners were long-term residents in the Mijas area, known to neighbours as a quiet and private couple. Their violent deaths sent ripples of fear and disbelief through the expatriate community. Spanish police, specifically the Guardia Civil's homicide unit, launched a major investigation immediately after the bodies were discovered.
While the death certificate confirms the grim outcome, it does not shed light on potential suspects or motives. The investigation remains active and open. Authorities have previously pursued various lines of enquiry, including the possibility of a robbery gone wrong, though no arrests have been made public to date. The release of the certificate is a procedural step in the judicial process, not an indication that the case is nearing closure.
Family's Grief and the Path Forward
The couple's family, understood to be based in the UK, have endured the painful process of dealing with the aftermath from abroad. The decision for cremation likely involved consultation with next of kin, though the family has maintained a strict privacy throughout the ordeal, avoiding media statements.
For the investigating officers, the work continues. The confirmation of homicide on the death certificate underscores the seriousness of the crime. Investigators will be combing through forensic evidence, financial records, and witness statements to build a case. The international dimension, with victims from the UK killed in Spain, adds a layer of complexity requiring seamless coordination between relevant authorities.
The cremation of the Reiners' remains marks a sombre closing of one chapter for the family, but the search for answers and justice is very much ongoing. The Spanish police have appealed for any information that could assist their investigation into this double murder that has left a peaceful community on edge.
