One day after the shocking killing of Hollywood director and producer Rob Reiner and his wife, Michelle Singer Reiner, U.S. media reported a major development in the investigation: their son, Nick Reiner, 32, has been arrested on suspicion of murdering them.
According to TMZ, Nick Reiner was transferred Monday morning into the custody of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, after already being questioned in the case a day earlier.
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Rob Reiner and his wife, Michelle, Nick Reiner
(Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images, Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Emergency services were called to the couple’s Los Angeles home Sunday afternoon following a report of a medical emergency. Upon arrival, responders found Reiner, 78, and his 68-year-old wife dead at the scene. Subsequent reports said both victims were found with their throats slashed. One of the couple’s daughters reportedly discovered the bodies.
Authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the filing of charges or a possible motive. According to reports, the violence may have erupted following a family argument, but the identities of those involved and the exact circumstances remain under investigation.
Nick Reiner is known to the American public in part for his long struggle with drug addiction, which he has discussed openly in the past. In a 2016 interview, he said he began using drugs at a very young age, went through long periods of sobriety and relapse, and at times lived on the streets, estranged from his family.
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Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, with their children — Nick (right), Romy and Jake
(Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Those experiences later served as inspiration for the semi-autobiographical film “Being Charlie,” which he co-wrote with Mark Ellison. In the same interview, Reiner said he had returned to live in Los Angeles in order to be closer to his family.
Rob Reiner was widely regarded as one of the most influential and beloved figures in American cinema, with a long list of films that became classics, including “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Stand by Me,” “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “Misery” and “A Few Good Men.” He first rose to fame as an actor on the iconic television series “All in the Family.” He was the son of legendary comedian and creator Carl Reiner.
On Monday night, close friends Billy Crystal and Larry David were seen leaving the couple’s home visibly shaken. Numerous figures from the worlds of culture and politics also paid tribute to Reiner and his wife, including former U.S. President Barack Obama, author Stephen King and actor Ben Stiller.