The son of acclaimed Hollywood director Rob Reiner was not medically cleared to appear in court on Tuesday, his lawyer confirmed, as he awaits formal charges over the double murder of his parents.
32-year-old Nick Reiner, who has a history of substance abuse dating back to his teenage years, is expected to be arraigned as soon as he receives medical clearance to appear at a Los Angeles courthouse.
“Every single inmate goes through a medical clearance before they can be transported,” lawyer Alan Jackson told reporters, describing the process as “procedural.” He added, “The bailiff has indicated that the sheriff’s department will take it on a day-by-day basis, and hopefully he’ll be cleared tomorrow, and we can get him here.”
Nick Reiner was arrested on Sunday after the bodies of his 78-year-old father, Rob Reiner, and his mother, Michele Singer Reiner, 70, were discovered at their Brentwood home in Los Angeles. Both were reportedly stabbed to death.
According to reports, Nick Reiner had argued with his parents at a Hollywood party on Saturday evening. TMZ said the bodies were found on Sunday afternoon by the couple’s daughter, who informed police that a family member may have committed the killings.
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced on Tuesday that Nick Reiner faces two counts of first-degree murder. If convicted, he could receive a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty, though no final decision on capital punishment has been made.
“Prosecuting cases involving family members are some of the most challenging and heart-wrenching cases this office faces due to the intimate and often brutal nature of the crimes”, Hochman said. He paid tribute to the late filmmaker, adding, “Rob Reiner was a brilliant actor and director, an iconic force in our entertainment industry for decades.”
The Los Angeles Police Department said the official time of death for Rob and Michele Singer Reiner has not yet been released, pending the coroner’s report.
Rob Reiner, the son of legendary comedian Carl Reiner, achieved fame as the sitcom character Michael “Meathead” Stivic on the 1970s hit All in the Family before transitioning to directing. His acclaimed films include This Is Spinal Tap (1984), The Princess Bride (1987), Stand By Me (1986), and A Few Good Men, which earned an Oscar nomination for Best Picture.
Entertainers and politicians alike have paid tribute to Reiner’s decades-long impact on Hollywood. Meanwhile, Nick Reiner remains in custody as authorities continue their investigation, with formal charges expected to be filed later Tuesday.
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