Recommendations of the Editorial team
Rob and Michele Reiner’s children Jake and Romy broke their silence in a statement on Tuesday, after her brother Nick was charged with first-degree murder on Tuesday. “Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we experience every moment of every day. The cruel and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something no one should ever have to experience,” the statement said. “They weren’t just our parents. They were our best friends.”
Please respect and privacy
The Reiners continued their statement by expressing gratitude for the support. “We are grateful for the overwhelming compassion, kindness and support we have received not only from family and friends, but from people from all walks of life,” it continued. “We now ask for respect and privacy. That speculation be tempered with compassion and humanity. And that our parents be remembered for the incredible lives they led and the love they gave.”
Sources previously told ROLLING STONE that Rob and Michele’s daughter Romy had found their bodies. The couple was found dead in their Los Angeles home on Sunday afternoon, December 14th. Nick was arrested at 9:15 p.m. local time after Los Angeles Police Department investigators “determined that the Reiners were victims of a homicide.” And that Nick was “responsible for her death.”
Charges and possible punishment
If convicted as charged, Nick faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or possibly the death penalty, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said at a news conference announcing the charges Tuesday.
Defense attorney Alan Jackson confirmed to ROLLING STONE on Tuesday that he is representing Nick. And that his client had not been “medically cleared” to be transported to court until Tuesday.
Background to the Reiner family
Rob Reiner, who played Meathead on the sitcom All in the Family before becoming known as the director of the popular 1980s films This Is Spinal Tap, Stand by Me, Harry and Sally, The Princess Bride and A Question of Honor, previously worked with Nick on the 2016 film Being Charlie. Nick co-wrote the script. Loosely based on his problems with heroin addiction. Reiner directed the film.
According to ROLLING STONE’s sources, Nick exhibited “anti-social behavior” during Conan O’Brien’s Christmas party on December 13th. The sources said Rob and Michele asked if they could bring Nick to the party and “keep an eye on him” out of concern for him.