Nick Reiner made his first court appearance in downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday, December 17, after being charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of his parents, filmmaker Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Reiner, 68.
The 32-year-old appeared in shackles and wearing a suicide prevention vest. He did not enter a plea. At the request of his attorney, the arraignment was postponed until January 7.
Investigators say the Reiners were killed in their sleep early Sunday, December 14, at their Brentwood home. Their bodies were discovered by their daughter, Romy Reiner.
Nick Reiner was arrested several hours later near the University of Southern California, roughly 14 miles from the crime scene.
According to sources, Nick had a heated argument with his father at a Christmas party hosted by Conan O’Brien on Saturday night, just hours before the killings. He allegedly attacked his parents later that night.
Nick has a long history of drug addiction and homelessness. Sources told investigators the couple had exhausted efforts to help him and had recently asked him to leave their home. He was staying at a hotel at the time of the killings.
Police searched Nick’s hotel room and reported extensive blood evidence in the bathroom and on the bed. Detectives believe he cleaned himself, attempted to conceal evidence, and disposed of the murder weapon after leaving his parents’ home.
Surveillance footage reportedly shows Nick walking toward the Reiner residence early Sunday morning before the murders occurred.
The case remains under investigation.
