The profound grief of a Hollywood dynasty was laid bare Wednesday as the surviving children of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner broke their silence, just hours before their brother, Nick Reiner, made a somber first appearance in a Los Angeles courtroom.
In a joint statement that described their parents as their “best friends,” Jake Reiner and Romy Reiner spoke for the first time since the legendary director and his wife were found fatally stabbed in their Brentwood home on Sunday. The siblingsโ plea for “compassion and humanity” arrived as the 32-year-old Nick appeared behind glass, clad in a suicide-prevention smock, to face two counts of first-degree murder.
‘They Were Our Best Friends’
The statement from Jake, 34, a former news reporter, and Romy, 27, who reportedly discovered her father’s body, offered a raw glimpse into the devastation following the loss of two industry icons.
- The Heartbreak: “Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day,” the siblings wrote. “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.”
- The Legacy: They urged the public to remember Rob and Michele for “the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave,” asking for privacy as the family navigates what they called a “horrific” reality.
- The Discovery: New details emerged Wednesday regarding the discovery of the bodies. Romy Reiner reportedly entered the home after a massage therapist was unable to reach the couple. She fled in “anguish” after finding her father, only learning from paramedics later that her mother had also been killed.
A Shuttered Courtroom Appearance
In Courtroom 30 of the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, the tragic transformation of the Reiner family reached its legal starting point. Nick Reiner, whose history of addiction and mental health struggles was the subject of his father’s 2015 film Being Charlie, appeared in shackles.
- The Charges: The Los Angeles County District Attorneyโs Office has charged the younger Reiner with two counts of first-degree murder with “special circumstances” of multiple murders. Prosecutors allege a knife was used in the attacks.
- No Plea Entered: During the brief hearing, Nick spoke only to confirm his name and agree to a postponement of his arraignment. His attorney, Alan Jackson, successfully requested the delay until January 7, citing the “complex and serious issues” associated with the case.
- The Defenseโs Plea: Outside the courthouse, Jackson cautioned against a “rush to judgment,” calling the situation a “devastating tragedy that has befallen the entire Reiner family.” He noted that the proceedings would be “very complex” and required “restraint and dignity.”
A City in Mourning
As the legal system grinds forward, Los Angeles continues to reel from the loss of a man who was as famous for his political activism as he was for directing classics like When Harry Met Sally… and The Princess Bride.
Close friends of the couple, including Martin Short, Billy Crystal, and Janice Crystal, released a collective tribute Wednesday, describing the Reiners as a “special force togetherโdynamic, unselfish, and inspiring.” They noted that on the day they were found, the couple had plans to meet with longtime friends Barack and Michelle Obama.
Nick Reiner remains held without bail at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole or the death penalty, though District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated his office has not yet decided whether to seek the latter.