By RACHEL BOWMAN, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER and NEIL BLINCOW

Updated: 20:57 GMT, 17 December 2025

Nick Reiner made his first court appearance in Los Angeles today on homicide charges for his parents’ double murder. 

The 32-year-old was seen in jeans and an anti-suicide vest without a shirt underneath. He did not enter a plea and his arraignment has been continued until January 7. 

When judge asked Reiner if he agreed to to waive his right to a speedy arraignment, he said: ‘Yes, your honor.’

Nick’s lawyer, Alan Jackson, made a statement to the public saying that there were ‘very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case,’ and asked that ‘throughout this process you allow the system to move forward in the way that it was designed to move forward, not with a rush to judgment.’ 

Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, 70, were found dead from apparent stab wounds in their $13.5 million Los Angeles mansion on Sunday.

Their son has since been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the killings of his Hollywood legend father and photographer mother.

Prosecutors added special circumstances of multiple murders and use of a dangerous weapon, a knife, meaning, if he is convicted, Nick could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or even the death penalty.

Follow along for the latest updates. 

Nick Reiner seen in courtroom sketch

Nick Reiner was captured in a courtroom sketch on Wednesday after a judge ordered no photographs of him to be taken.

The 32-year-old wore an anti-suicide vest and appeared blank-faced during the hearing.

He did not enter a plea, and only uttered three words to the judge when asked if his arraignment should be continued.

‘Yes, your honor,’ he said.

Nick’s attorney, Alan Jackson, asked the judge for a continuance, saying he ‘needed more time’ to prepare his case.

Jackson also objected to photos and video being taken of Nick at Wednesday’s hearing.

He told the judge, ‘There is an issue of ID.’

DA Hochman brought back death penalty to Los Angeles

Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman reinstated the death penalty in March.

Hochman ousted progressive DA George Gascón in November 2024 after residents rejected the state’s liberal reforms to the criminal justice system and soft-on-crime policies and made good on his campaign promise to bring back the death penalty.

Under California law, the death penalty can only be sought if someone is charged with murder with special circumstances, which can include killings where there are multiple victims or if the victim is a law enforcement officer.

Hochman’s office charged Nick Reiner with two counts of first-degree murder in the killings of his Hollywood legend father, Rob Reiner, and photographer mother, Michele Singer.

Prosecutors added special circumstances of multiple murders and use of a dangerous weapon, a knife, meaning, if he is convicted, Nick could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or even the death penalty.

However, prosecutors have not said if they will pursue the death penalty in this case.

The wife of Dick Van Dyke, Arlene Silver, 54, revealed that her husband had trouble sleeping after learning of Rob Reiner’s death.

Van Dyke’s 100th birthday party was on Saturday and the murders were discovered the next day.

‘Such a weird, wonderful, awful weekend,’ Silver said. The former makeup artist was still wearing a ‘100’ button with an image of Van Dyke on her top that was made for his birthday.

‘You know Dick’s birthday was on [Saturday]… I can’t not talk about this horrible thing. I mean, Dick’s birthday was so amazing, so over-the-top beautiful, and then this. I was relieved and happy, and then this happened yesterday,’ she shared.

When were Rob Reiner and Michele Singer murdered?

Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell told reporters on Tuesday that the coroner is still working to determine Rob and Michele Reiner’s time of death.

‘We are waiting on the coroner to be able and to try and determine as best they can time of death,’ he said.

The couple was found dead from stab wounds inside their Brentwood mansion on Sunday.

They got into a fight with their son Nick at a party the night before. Nick has since been accused of murdering his parents.

Rob Reiner’s unlikely connection to Donald Trump

Rob Reiner’s surprising connection to Donald Trump came back into the light after the 79-year-old president claimed him murder was a result of the director’s ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome.’

Three questions Nick Reiner asked A-listers at Conan O’Brien’s party

The festive gathering of Hollywood celebrities turned sour when legendary director Rob Reiner’s 32-year-old son was asked to leave after badgering numerous guests with a series of inane queries.

‘What’s your name? What’s your last name? Are you famous?’ Nick quizzed partygoers, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Nick was introduced to Bill Hader by his father and he proceeded to interrupt the SNL comedian. He then allegedly became irate when Hader responded that he was ‘in the middle of a private conversation’.

Being Charlie producer describes Reiners as ‘loving family’

Being Charlie producer Johnson Chan issued a statement to CNN describing the film’s father-son writer-director duo as a ‘loving family.’

Nick Reiner and Rob Reiner worked on the film that was inspired by the younger Reiner’s struggle with addiction.

‘Everyone was so involved with making Being Charlie that it became more like a family affair than a film project,’ Chan said in the statement.

‘We were all so hopeful, looking forward to Nick getting better and overcoming his struggle.’

‘My deepest hope now is that everyone can focus on the well-being of Jake and Romy.’

Reiner’s $13.5 million mansion located in neighborhood with ill-fated history

Rob and Michelle Reiner were found murdered in their $13.5 million Los Angeles mansion on Sunday.

Reiner purchased the home, located in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood, from producer Norman Lear in 1991 for $4.75 million, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The home is only a short distance from other infamous Brentwood homes including where Nicole Brown Simpson was murdered, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

It is also near the home where Marilyn Monroe overdosed.

Other nearby landmarks include Sharon Tate’s Benedict Canyon estate, Phil Hartman’s suburban home in Encino and Sal Mineo’s apartment in West Hollywood.

Pictured: Rob Reiner’s mansion

Breaking:Meg Ryan breaks silence on Rob Reiner murder after When Harry Met Sally co-star Billy Crystal’s tearful dash to crime scene

Meg Ryan has paid an emotional tribute to her When Harry Met Sally director Rob Reiner days after his murder.

Hollywood icon Reiner, 78, and his wife, Michele, 70, were both found dead with their throats slit in their Los Angeles mansion on Sunday.

Their troubled son Nick was arrested in connection with the murders later that day. He has since been charged with two counts of first-degree murder – if convicted, the 32-year-old could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.

Alan Jackson refuses to say how he came to represent Nick Reiner

While speaking to reporters outside the courthouse on Tuesday, Alan Jackson declined to say how he came to represent Nick Reiner and who would pay his fees.

‘I can’t comment,’ Jackson said.

After a brief court appearance on Wednesday, Jackson addressed the media and asked people not to ‘rush to judgement’ about the case.

Rob Reiner close friend shares chilling account weeks before murder charges

For five nights, Barry Markowitz said he lived alongside the Reiners as they went about their lives as usual, which included sharing meals, watching movies and basketball games, playing with the dogs and spending evenings together.

Exclusive:Why Nick Reiner will lose his multi-million-dollar inheritance if he is convicted of murdering his parents

While Nick Reiner faces a possible life sentence if convicted for the murder of his famous parents, Hollywood legend Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer, he could also be stripped of any potential inheritance.

Nick, 32, was formally charged with two counts of first degree murder on Tuesday. He is accused of violently killing the iconic director, 78, and his wife, 70, in their home.

The late filmmaker’s net worth is estimated at a whopping $200 million by Celebrity Net Worth. But if Nick is included in his parents’ will, he might not see a penny of the inheritance if convicted due to California’s Slayer Rule, codified in Probate Code Section 250.

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Shackled Nick Reiner addresses judge as he appears in court wearing anti-suicide vest: Live updates

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