Nick Reiner indicted on murder charges for killing parents in Brentwood home
A grand jury returned an indictment charging Nick Reiner with two counts of murder and a lying-in-wait special circumstance in the December stabbing of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner.
A Los Angeles County grand jury unsealed an indictment on Wednesday charging Nick Reiner, 32, with two counts of murder for the fatal stabbing of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, inside their Brentwood residence on Dec. 14. The indictment adds a special circumstance of "lying in wait," which can expose a defendant to life without parole or the death penalty.
Rob and Michele Reiner were discovered stabbed in their master bedroom by their daughter Romy, who called 911 after finding her father's body. Nick Reiner was arrested about 12 hours later in Exposition Park and appeared briefly in court, pleading not guilty to the charges.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said, "This was a profound betrayal by someone who was loved and trusted by the very people he is accused of killing. We hope that by having a grand jury return an indictment in this case it will bring us one step closer to a trial and achieving justice."
The new indictment replaces earlier murder counts filed in 2025 and allows prosecutors to bypass a preliminary hearing, expediting the case toward trial while limiting public testimony about the crime scene. Prosecutors allege that Reiner concealed himself in the home before attacking his parents with a knife, a claim that, if proven, would establish premeditation.
A former prosecutor who defends homicide cases noted that the lying-in-wait theory could significantly increase the severity of the charges. Motive has not been disclosed, though Reiner has previously spoken about mental-health and addiction struggles. He co-produced the 2015 film “Being Charlie,” which explored a father-son relationship affected by drug use.
Rob Reiner, known for directing and acting in films such as “When Harry Met Sally…,” “Stand by Me,” and “This Is Spinal Tap,” and his wife Michele, who met him on the set of the former film, were both victims.
The district attorney’s office has not decided whether to seek the death penalty. Reiner remains in custody without bail and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on Sept. 15. His civil attorneys have petitioned to release at least $1.5 million from a trust fund established by his parents, arguing the money is needed for his defense. The public defender’s office now handles his representation.