In a tragic development, the official death certificates for acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife Michele have been released, shedding new light on their shocking deaths. The documents confirm the couple succumbed to a violent attack inside their Los Angeles home.
Death Certificates Reveal Violent Details
According to the newly obtained documents, the cause of death for both Rob and Michele Reiner is listed as "multiple sharp force injuries caused by a knife by another." The attack occurred at their residence in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles on a Sunday. The certificates state that the injuries proved fatal within "minutes" of the assault.
The timeline of discovery is also detailed in the records. Rob Reiner was found first at approximately 3:45 PM. His wife, Michele, whose marital status was recorded as "widowed," was discovered just one minute later at 3:46 PM. The report adds that the couple has since been cremated.
Son Arrested and Charged with First-Degree Murder
The release of this grim information coincides with a major arrest in the case. The Reiners' 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, has been taken into custody in connection with the killings. The Los Angeles District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, has filed two counts of first-degree murder against him.
Hochman stated that the charges carry the maximum penalty of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or even the death penalty. The prosecution alleges that a knife was the weapon used to commit the murders. Nick Reiner made a brief court appearance on December 17 but has not yet entered a formal plea.
Prior to the incident, Nick was reportedly receiving treatment for schizophrenia, as confirmed by sources. Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell addressed the arrest, calling it a "very, very tragic incident." He confirmed that Nick Reiner had been officially "booked for murder."
A Family and Community in Mourning
The Los Angeles Police Department had initially responded to the Brentwood home on that Sunday afternoon around 3:40 p.m. after the bodies were discovered. They immediately launched a homicide investigation but had not named a suspect or made any detentions at the time.
Rob and Michele Reiner leave behind their other children. They are survived by son Jake Reiner, a former local news reporter for KCAL Los Angeles, and daughter Romy. From his previous marriage to actress and director Penny Marshall, Rob Reiner also had an adopted daughter, Tracy Reiner. The entertainment industry and the local community have been left reeling from this devastating loss of the prominent filmmaker and his wife.
