Rob and Michele Reiner homicide: son Nick Reiner held without bail as GOP leaders react
Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, about 68–70, were found dead Sunday afternoon in their Brentwood home in what LAPD’s Robbery‑Homicide Division is treating as an apparent homicide involving multiple stab wounds; their daughter discovered the bodies and investigators have sought a search warrant and are questioning a family member. Their son, Nick Reiner, was arrested and initially booked on $4 million bail and is now being held without bail, while leaders across the political spectrum — Democrats mourning the couple and GOP leaders calling the killings a tragedy — reacted amid controversy after President Trump linked the killing to "Trump Derangement Syndrome" and drew criticism from lawmakers.
📌 Key Facts
- On Sunday afternoon (around 3:30–3:40 p.m. PT) LAFD and LAPD responded to Rob and Michele Reiner’s Brentwood home and found two bodies; the deceased were later confirmed by family and law enforcement as Rob Reiner (78) and his wife Michele Singer Reiner (public records list her as about 68–70).
- The LAPD Robbery‑Homicide Division is investigating the deaths as an apparent homicide; police cordoned off the block, sought a search warrant and said no suspect had been publicly identified while a family member is being questioned.
- Law enforcement officials say the victims suffered multiple stab wounds and authorities expected to release preliminary autopsy results.
- The Reiners’ daughter discovered the bodies and called police; the family issued a statement confirming the couple’s “tragic passing” and requesting privacy.
- Their son, Nick Reiner, was arrested and initially booked with $4,000,000 bail according to jail records; Los Angeles authorities later listed him as being held without bail.
- Political and entertainment figures offered public condolences—among them Barack and Michelle Obama, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Mayor Karen Bass, SAG‑AFTRA (via Sean Astin)—and GOP leaders including Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson called the killings a tragedy.
- Former President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social blaming the killing on “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” the White House reposted it, and Trump defended the remarks despite rebukes from several GOP members (including Reps. Massie, Greene, Lawler and Bice) and other officials.
- Additional context reported: Michele Singer Reiner photographed the cover image for Trump’s 1987 book The Art of the Deal; friends such as Billy Crystal and Larry David were seen at the scene, which drew a significant police and media presence.
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
What Rob Reiner Was Telling Us
"A commentary reflecting on the Reiners' homicide that warns against politicizing the tragedy, urges empathy and careful analysis (rather than quick causal claims about rhetoric), and reads the episode as symptomatic of a polarized, outrage-driven public discourse."
📰 Sources (15)
WATCH: Trump defends reaction to Rob Reiner killing despite GOP criticism
New information:
- President Trump publicly defended a social media post blaming Rob Reiner’s killing on 'Trump Derangement Syndrome' and repeated the claim.
- Named GOP critics — Reps. Thomas Massie, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Mike Lawler, and Stephanie Bice — publicly rebuked Trump’s remarks, with Massie challenging colleagues to defend the post.
- Additional detail: Michele Singer Reiner photographed the cover image for Trump’s 1987 book 'The Art of the Deal,' confirmed by publisher Peter Osnos.
- The White House shared the president’s post; it did not respond to a request for comment in this report.
Rob Reiner's political activism included landmark wins for marriage equality
New information:
- Barack Obama said he and Michelle Obama were 'heartbroken' and praised the Reiners' lives of purpose.
- Vice President Kamala Harris lauded Rob Reiner’s commitment to democracy and called the Reiners 'dear friends.'
- Nancy Pelosi highlighted Reiner’s activism on California’s First 5 initiative and the fight against Proposition 8, calling him a champion of the First Amendment.
GOP leaders call Reiner family slayings a 'tragedy' as director's son detained in homicide probe
New information:
- Nick Reiner is now being held without bail after previously being booked on $4 million bail, per the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.
- Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson issued public statements calling the killings a tragedy; Johnson cited 'senseless violence.'
- Article reiterates that the couple suffered multiple stab wounds and were discovered by their daughter, citing People magazine.
Rob Reiner and wife Michele's daughter discovered their bodies, source says
New information:
- A source told CBS News that the Reiners' daughter discovered the bodies in their Los Angeles home and called police.
- CBS also notes jail records show son Nick Reiner is in custody.
Trump disparages Rob Reiner's political views a day after his murder
New information:
- President Trump posted on Truth Social linking Rob Reiner’s killing to 'Trump Derangement Syndrome' and disparaging Reiner’s political views.
- An official White House account reposted the president’s statement on Twitter.
- Rep. Glenn Ivey (D‑Md.) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R‑Ky.) publicly criticized Trump’s remarks; Ivey called them 'sick and dangerous,' and Massie labeled them 'inappropriate and disrespectful.'
- CBS News asked the White House whether it has any evidence connecting the killings to political views; none has been made public.
Nick Reiner, son of Rob Reiner and wife Michele, arrested
New information:
- Nick Reiner has been arrested, per LASD online jail records.
- He was booked on $4,000,000 bail.
- LAPD has described the case as an 'apparent homicide' following the couple’s deaths Sunday in Brentwood.
Rob Reiner remembered for beloved films, iconic performances
New information:
- Family issued a public statement confirming the deaths and requesting privacy.
- CBS reports police called the case an 'apparent homicide.'
- Rob Reiner’s age confirmed at 78 and his wife identified as Michele Singer.
- Bodies were found Sunday at their Brentwood, Los Angeles home.
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New information:
- Authorities expect to release preliminary autopsy results later today.
- Police are not seeking a suspect or person of interest at this time, suggesting they may already know or suspect who committed the crime.
Rob Reiner and his wife found dead in Los Angeles home
New information:
- A law enforcement official says investigators believe the victims suffered stab wounds.
- A family member is being questioned by investigators.
- LAFD says it responded shortly after 3:30 p.m. and found a 78-year-old man and 68-year-old woman dead inside.
- LAPD Capt. Mike Bland confirmed Robbery-Homicide Division is investigating an 'apparent homicide.'
- Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement calling Reiner’s death a devastating loss; Lear family also released a statement.
Two Bodies Found at Home Owned by Director Rob Reiner
New information:
- LAPD says officers responded to the Reiners’ home at about 3:40 p.m. Sunday and found two bodies.
- The family confirmed the deaths through a spokesman.
- Scene details: the block was cordoned with police tape; multiple police cars and news vans were present as investigators sought a search warrant.
- No suspect had been identified as of late Sunday night, per LAPD.
- Public reactions: statements mourning the Reiners from Barack Obama, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and SAG-AFTRA (via Sean Astin).
Democratic leaders mourn Reiner, a champion of liberal causes.
New information:
- Democratic leaders including Barack Obama, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued statements mourning Rob and Michele Reiner.
- LAPD said late Sunday it was seeking a search warrant for the Reiners’ home; no suspect had been identified.
- Police responded to the home at about 3:40 p.m. Sunday; the block was cordoned off with police tape and remained quiet aside from police and media.
- SAG-AFTRA, via actor Sean Astin, called Rob Reiner “one of the most significant figures in the history of film and television.”
Reiner’s career spanned Hollywood and politics.
New information:
- LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton said the department is conducting a death investigation, has not identified a suspect, and will not release victim information until the coroner does.
- LAPD Captain Mike Bland stated officers responded to the home at around 3:40 p.m. PT on Sunday.
- LAFD spokesperson Margaret Stewart said the bodies were of an approximately 78-year-old male and a 68-year-old female; public records list Michele Singer Reiner as 70.
- Scene details: both ends of the block were cordoned off with police tape; a cluster of police cars and news vans were present late Sunday night.
Director Rob Reiner Has Died; Police Investigating Homicide in Brentwood
New information:
- LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton is the official confirming police response to the Brentwood address Sunday afternoon.
- Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman said the deceased were a man approximately 78 and a woman about 68.
- A family spokesperson confirmed Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner have died.
Hollywood director Rob Reiner and wife Michele found dead
New information:
- LAPD says Robbery-Homicide Division is investigating an apparent homicide and posted details of the response on X, noting officers arrived around 3:40 p.m. in the 200 block of S. Chadbourne Ave.
- LAFD found the bodies of a 78-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman around 3:30 p.m. Sunday inside the home.
- Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass publicly confirmed the deaths and issued a statement expressing heartbreak.
- A family spokesperson confirmed to Variety the 'tragic passing' of Michele and Rob Reiner and requested privacy.
- AP cites a law enforcement official confirming the decedents as Rob and Michele Reiner.
- ABC7 reported Billy Crystal and Larry David briefly visited the home Sunday evening.