Rob Reiner's Son Nick Speaks in Court for First Time While Wearing Suicide Prevention Smock
- - Rob Reiner's Son Nick Speaks in Court for First Time While Wearing Suicide Prevention Smock
Nicole Acosta, Danielle BacherDecember 18, 2025 at 2:32 AM
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Phillip Faraone/FilmMagic; BACKGRID
Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner; Nick Reiner -
Nick Reiner, who's charged with murdering his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, spoke for the first time during his court appearance on Wednesday, Dec. 17
When the judge asked if Nick was okay waiving his right to a speedy arraignment, he replied, “Yes, your honor.”
The couple were found dead in their Brentwood, Los Angeles, home on Sunday, Dec. 14
Nick Reiner, who has been charged with murder in the deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, spoke for the first time during his court appearance on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Nick, 32, appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court wearing a blue anti-suicide smock and shackles. Seated behind glass, he stared straight ahead as his attorney, Alan Jackson, declined to enter a plea for his client.
When the judge asked if Nick was okay waiving his right to a speedy arraignment, Nick replied, “Yes, your honor.” The arraignment has been scheduled for Jan. 7, 2026.
"There are very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case," Jackson told reporters following the court hearing. "Those need to be thoroughly, but very carefully, dealt with and examined and looked at and analyzed."
Jae C. Hong / POOL / AFP via Getty
Alan Jackson, attorney for Nick Reiner, speaks in court on December 17, 2025 in Los Angeles.
Nick has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, with prosecutors planning to pursue a sentencing increase for a special circumstance of multiple murders and, as well as a special allegation he used a "dangerous and deadly" weapon such as a knife, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said.
The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole or the death penalty, if convicted. He is being held without bail.
Members of the Los Angeles Fire Department found Rob, 78, and Michele, 70, dead in their Brentwood, Los Angeles, home after 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14 after being called to provide medical aid. About six hours later, Nick was arrested near the University of California campus in connection with the deaths, police said.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced in a press statement that the director and his wife were killed in "approximately the early morning hours" of Sunday.
The grim discovery was made after Rob and Nick got into a "big fight" at Christmas party hosted by Conan O'Brien on Saturday night, sources who were at the party told PEOPLE.
"Nick was freaking everyone out, acting crazy, kept asking people if they were famous," one source said.
Denise Truscello/Getty
Nick Reiner in 2024
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A potential motive for the violence remains under investigation. Nick has previously has spoken openly about struggles with addiction and homelessness, beginning in his teens.
A source close to the Reiners told PEOPLE in this week's cover story, "They tried everything — giving him space, keeping him close — but his struggles are so deep. It’s just a parent’s worst nightmare."
Rob and Michele — who had been married since 1989 — share two other children, son Jake and daughter, Romy, who released a statement on Wednesday, saying, the loss of their parents is "something that no one should ever experience."
"We are grateful for the outpouring of condolences, kindness, and support we have received not only from family and friends but people from all walks of life," read the statement shared with PEOPLE. "We now ask for respect and privacy, for speculation to be tempered with compassion and humanity, and for our parents to be remembered for the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
