A Los Angeles grand jury returned an indictment against Nick Reiner on July 20, replacing the original murder charges filed after his parents were found dead at their Brentwood home in December 2025.
The indictment was unsealed Wednesday, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors allege that Reiner murdered his father, Hollywood actor director Rob Reiner, 78, and his mother, photographer producer Michele Singer Reiner, 70.
The couple died after suffering multiple sharp-force injuries involving a knife, according to documents from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
The new indictment adds a special circumstance allegation that the murders were committed by means of “lying in wait.” Reiner also faces an allegation that he personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman described the case as a profound betrayal of people who had loved and trusted the defendant.
He said the grand jury indictment moves the case closer to trial and the pursuit of justice.
Reiner pleaded not guilty after the indictment was unsealed. He remains in custody without bail.
Reiner was arrested Dec. 14, 2025, hours after his parents were found stabbed to death.
He had previously spoken publicly about drug addiction and periods of homelessness, experiences that helped inspire the 2015 film Being Charlie, which he co-wrote and his father directed.
The sources also report that Reiner had previously received treatment under a court ordered mental health conservatorship in 2020.
TMZ had reported before the killings that he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and that changes to his medication allegedly affected his behavior.
The indictment allows the case to proceed toward trial without a preliminary hearing. Reiner’s next scheduled pretrial hearing is Sept. 15 at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
If convicted as charged, Reiner could face life imprisonment without parole or the death penalty. Prosecutors have not yet decided whether to seek capital punishment.
After withdrawing from the case in January, former defense attorney Alan Jackson said that under California law, Reiner is not guilty of murder.
The statement reflected the presumption of innocence and does not determine the outcome of the criminal case.
What is Nick Reiner charged with?
He faces two counts of murder involving his parents, with special circumstance allegations including multiple murders and lying in wait.
When is his next hearing?
His pretrial hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15.
Could Reiner face the death penalty?
Yes. If convicted, he could face death or life imprisonment without parole, although prosecutors have not decided whether to seek the death penalty.
SOURCES:
Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, NewsNation, People, TMZ and The New York Times.
