Nick Reiner Pleads Not Guilty In Shocking Murder Of Parents

Nick Reiner pleaded not guilty Monday to charges that he killed his parents, filmmaker Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.

The 32-year-old is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, with a special circumstance allegation tied to multiple homicides, per The Hollywood Reporter. If convicted, he could face life in prison without parole, and Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has said the case is eligible for the death penalty.  

Reiner did not address the court beyond responding to routine questions during Monday’s arraignment. It remains unclear what defense strategy he will pursue. Court records and prior reporting have referenced struggles with substance abuse and mental health issues. 

The deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner, who were discovered in their home on December 14, stunned Hollywood. Their son, Nick, was charged with their murders shortly afterward. Witnesses have alleged he was behaving erratically at a party hosted by Conan O’Brien shortly before the killings. 

Nick Reiner’s two siblings, Romy, 28, and Jake, 34, issued a statement after their brother’s first court appearance.

“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, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends.”

According to police documents, when Romy discovered her parents’ bodies, she told responding officers that her brother had been living in the home and described him as “dangerous.”

Last month, Reiner’s attorney, Alan Jackson, withdrew from the case for undisclosed reasons.

Jackson is known for taking on high-profile matters, including cases involving actor Kevin Spacey and disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. He recently represented Karen Read, who was acquitted in the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe.

Jackson told reporters he could not “legally or ethically” disclose what had changed, but said he had spent “literally every waking hour” reviewing the case.