The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has confirmed that film director Rob Reiner and his wife, photographer Michele Singer Reiner, died from multiple sharp force injuries, with homicide ruled as the manner of death. Their bodies were discovered on Sunday, 14 December, at their home in Brentwood, Los Angeles.
Their son Nick Reiner was arrested later that day and has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, along with use of a dangerous weapon, a knife. He appeared in court on Wednesday but did not enter a plea, speaking only once to confirm his understanding of his right to a speedy trial. He is due back in court for an arraignment hearing on 7 January.
The Reiners' daughter Romy discovered the bodies after going to check on them. In a statement to People magazine, Romy and her brother Jake said: '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... is something that no one should ever experience. They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends.'
Tributes have poured in from the entertainment industry, including from actress Meg Ryan, who starred in Reiner's hit film When Harry Met Sally. She wrote: 'Thank you for your faith in the best in people, and for your profound love of our country.' The release of Reiner's final film, a Spinal Tap concert movie filmed at Stonehenge, has been delayed.
