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Nick Reiner pleads not guilty to murder of his parents
Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of acclaimed director Rob Reiner, pleaded not guilty Monday to two counts of first-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of his parents in December. Reiner’s attorney, Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene, entered the plea on his behalf as he stood behind glass in an enclosed custody area of the packed Los Angeles courtroom.
LOS ANGELES - On Wednesday, a Los Angeles judge decided to push back court proceedings to September for Nick Reiner, accused in the double murder of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner. The decision comes as evidence continues to be collected in the case, as well as pending autopsy results from the LA County medical examiner.
What we know:
Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Reiner, 70, were found dead on December 14, 2025, in their Brentwood home.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed both died from "multiple sharp force injuries" inflicted by a knife.
Nick Reiner, the third of the couple’s four children, was apprehended by LAPD officers in Exposition Park less than six hours after the discovery.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
- Rob Reiner and son Nick had argument at Conan O’Brien party before parents' death, sources say
- Rob Reiner, wife Michele, found dead in Los Angeles home
- Nick Reiner pleads not guilty to murder in killing of parents Rob and Michele Reiner
He has since pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstance allegations of multiple murders.
Records show Nick has a history of mental health struggles, including a schizophrenia diagnosis and a prior yearlong conservatorship that expired in 2021.
FILE - Nick Reiner appears with Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene during his arraignment in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Feb. 23, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Chris Torres-Pool/Getty Images)
What we don't know:
While investigators have noted that Nick reportedly acted "erratically" during a holiday party the night before the killings, authorities have not officially confirmed a motive.
It also remains unclear if the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office will seek capital punishment. District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated a decision on the death penalty has not yet been finalized.
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The full autopsy report is still pending, which Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian noted is a final piece of discovery required for the defense.
What they're saying:
In a poignant statement released last week, Nick's brother, Jake Reiner, described the tragedy as an "impossible nightmare," stating, "nothing compares to losing both of them at the same time and, on top of that, having your brother be at the center of it."
RELATED: Rob Reiner’s son Jake breaks silence on parents’ murders: ‘My living nightmare'
What's next:
Nick Reiner's next court date is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 15.
If the case proceeds to trial and results in a conviction, Nick Reiner faces a maximum sentence of the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The Source: City News Service contributed to this report. This report was also based on Los Angeles County court records, official findings from the LA County Medical Examiner, and statements from the Los Angeles District Attorney's office. Additional context regarding the family's history and the events leading up to the tragedy was drawn from previous FOX 11 reports.