Los Angeles — Nick Reiner, the younger son of filmmaker Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, was not medically cleared to appear in a Los Angeles courtroom Tuesday, his attorney said, days after being arrested in connection with the deaths of his parents.
“Hopefully he’ll be cleared tomorrow and we can get him here,” attorney Alan Jackson said outside the courthouse, addressing reporters. Jackson declined to specify the medical issue preventing Reiner from attending, describing it only as “procedural.”
Reiner, 32, was taken into custody Monday on suspicion of murdering his parents. He has not been formally charged and remains held without bail. Authorities said the investigation is ongoing.
Rob Reiner, 78, a legendary actor and director, and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead Sunday in their Brentwood, Los Angeles area home. Police said the couple suffered stab wounds, and their bodies were discovered in the master bedroom.
Assistant Chief Dominic Choi of the Los Angeles Police Department provided limited details Tuesday, noting that the investigation into the deaths remains active. No further information on a motive or circumstances surrounding the deaths has been released.
Nick Reiner has a long history of substance abuse. He began struggling with addiction as a teenager, and in a 2016 interview with People magazine, he described periods of homelessness and repeated stints in rehabilitation.
His experiences inspired the 2016 film Being Charlie, which he co-wrote and his father directed. “The program works for some people, but it can’t work for everybody,” Rob Reiner said in 2015, reflecting on his son’s struggles.
“When Nick would tell us that it wasn’t working for him, we wouldn’t listen. We were desperate and because the people had diplomas on their wall, we listened to them when we should have been listening to our son.”
Criminologists and mental health professionals note that cases involving family members and addiction histories are complex.
Dr. Angela Martinez, a clinical psychologist in Los Angeles, said, “Substance abuse often exacerbates underlying behavioral or mental health challenges.
Investigators need to carefully examine both the immediate circumstances and the long term context when family tragedies occur.” Legal analysts also caution that early arrests do not equate to convictions.
“At this stage, Nick Reiner is a suspect,” said criminal defense attorney Samuel Klein. “The justice system requires evidence, formal charges, and due process before any conclusion can be drawn.”
The Reiners were prominent figures in Hollywood and active supporters of Democratic causes. News of their deaths has prompted condolences from political leaders and peers in the entertainment industry.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama told Jimmy Kimmel she had been scheduled to see the Reiners on Sunday.
“In a time when there’s not a lot of courage going on, they were the kind of people who were ready to put their actions behind what they cared about,” she said.
“They cared about their family, they cared about this country, they cared about fairness and equity.” Locals in Brentwood expressed shock at the deaths.
“The Reiners were private but generous neighbors,” said Angela Chu, who lives near the couple’s home. “It’s devastating to think something like this could happen here.”
Authorities are expected to provide updates as the investigation progresses. The next court appearance for Nick Reiner is contingent on medical clearance, according to his attorney.
Experts say the case underscores the intersection of mental health, substance abuse, and family dynamics in criminal investigations.
Law enforcement officials emphasized that speculation should be avoided until the investigation concludes. “We are following every lead and ensuring the case is handled with diligence and accuracy,” Choi said.
Nick Reiner’s legal situation remains uncertain, with his court appearance delayed due to medical issues.
Investigators continue examining the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner, a tragedy that has reverberated through Hollywood and political circles alike.
While the younger Reiner faces scrutiny, authorities and legal experts stress that due process will guide the next steps.
