Rob Reiner’s son accused of ‘lying in wait’ in new indictment over parents’ deaths
The son of Rob Reiner has been accused of ‘lying in wait’ before killing the Hollywood director and his wife, a new indictment has alleged.
Nick Reiner, 32, is accused of fatally stabbing his parents at their home in Los Angeles back in December.
Last month, a Los Angeles County grand jury indicted Nick on murder charges in the killings of his parents.
The indictment was unsealed on Wednesday (13 August), when Nick entered a not guilty plea.
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Nick also pleaded not guilty in February to initial charges brought in the case.
Beloved director and actor Rob, 78, and his photographer and producer wife Michele Singer Reiner, 70, were found stabbed to death in their home in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles on December 14.
Their bodies were discovered by their youngest child, Romy, after they missed a massage appointment.
Nick, who was reportedly living in their home at the time, was arrested hours later and charged two days later.
The grand jury indictment is a major step toward trial and allows prosecutors to skip California’s preliminary hearing process, where evidence is publicly aired.
“This was a profound betrayal by someone who was loved and trusted by the very people he is accused of killing,” Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement.
“We hope that by having a grand jury return an indictment in this case it will bring us one step closer to a trial and achieving justice.”
The unsealed indictment reveals few new details in a case that has been shrouded in secrecy.
But the lying in wait allegation along with other circumstances mean Nick is eligible for the death penalty, but prosecutors have not said if they will pursue it.
The indictment did not say how or why Nick was lying in wait.
It also includes an allegation that he used a knife in the killing. Authorities previously said the couple was stabbed.
Many of the most basic questions about the killing remain unanswered publicly.
Prosecutors have said nothing about possible motives, and leaks in the case have been virtually non-existent on both sides.
Nick is scheduled to return to court on 15 September for a hearing.
Rob nominated for a posthumous Emmy
Months after his tragic death, Rob was nominated for a posthumous Emmy in the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series category for his role in The Bear.
It was his eighth nomination and was the first performance-related Emmy nod for Reiner since 1978 when he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his part in All in the Family.
Alongside his acting, Reiner is best known for his directing Hollywood favourites including Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, andWhen Harry Met Sally, as well as producing.
In April, the Reiners' other son Jake penned an emotional Substack post regarding the loss of his parents, detailing the pain of losing 'more than half' of his family in one night.
"We lost more than half of our family that night in the most violent way imaginable," he wrote.
"Nothing can prepare you for what it feels like to lose both parents instantly at the same time," he continued.
"We lost more than half of our family that night in the most violent way imaginable. Sure, any loss of a parent is devastating, but nothing compares to losing both of them at the same time and, on top of that, having your brother be at the centre of it. It’s almost too impossible to process."
Claire Reid