According to newly released records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office, renowned director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Reiner died from “multiple sharp object injuries.”
CNN reported that investigators said Nick Reiner, the couple’s son, is accused of stabbing his parents to death. In the autopsy report, the medical examiner determined the cause of death to be “murder,” meaning the deaths of both victims were caused by another person.
At a press conference on December 16, the Los Angeles County District Attorney accused Nick Reiner of using a knife to kill his parents. Two days earlier, on December 14, director Rob Reiner and his wife were found dead in their bedroom at their West Los Angeles home by their daughter.
Medical examiner’s records indicate that the bodies of the two victims are ready to be handed over to their families.
Nick Reiner, 32, is being held in custody and is not eligible for bail. Authorities say it is unclear whether the suspect has hired an attorney. The motive for the alleged act is still under investigation.
According to a source close to the matter, Nick Reiner reportedly had an argument with his father at a Christmas party on the evening of December 13th, held at the home of talk show host Conan O’Brien in Los Angeles. The source said Rob Reiner criticized his son, saying his behavior was inappropriate.
Attendees at the party said many of those present were aware of Nick Reiner’s history of drug abuse. Another attendee described Nick Reiner loitering around the party, appearing restless, irritable, and unsettling.
The Reiner couple have three grown children. Nick Reiner is said to have a history of drug and alcohol addiction. In 2016, father and son collaborated on a semi-autobiographical film, “Being Charlie,” about a Los Angeles teenager struggling with drug addiction and a strained relationship with his father. At the time, Nick Reiner was 22 years old and stated that he had been in and out of rehabilitation centers 17 times since the age of 15.
