A son of celebrated film director the director of 'When Harry Met Sally' and his wife Michele Singer Reiner has been taken into custody on suspicion of murder following the couple were discovered deceased in their LA home.
The Los Angeles Police Department announced on the start of the week that the 32-year-old son, in his early thirties, had been arrested and was being held without the possibility of bail.
The deceased couple's young adult child, Romy, found her mother and father in their home with several knife-inflicted injuries on Sunday, according to reports from news outlets.
First Response and Official Statement
Emergency services were called to provide medical aid at the family's West Los Angeles home at around 15:38 Pacific Time on Sunday.
The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed a man and a woman - later identified as the 78-year-old director, and his wife Michele, aged 68 - were pronounced dead on site.
Police said Nick Reiner was arrested later that evening, at around 21:15 local time. Investigators have not yet disclosed a possible reason and indicated the investigation is still active.
History of the Accused and Household
The son has spoken publicly about his struggles with addiction and being without a home. His experiences served as inspiration for the semi-autobiographical film Being Charlie, which he co-wrote with his dad in the mid-2010s.
The family's home is in Brentwood, a wealthy area popular with stars full of estates, boutique shops and restaurants. On the following day, a private guard stood outside the property as news crews assembled outside the front gate.
Rob Reiner's Legacy
Rob Reiner, the son of comedy great his father Carl, started in entertainment in the mid-20th century and became well-known playing Meathead in the TV sitcom 'All in the Family'.
He cemented his success with the iconic spoof documentary 'This Is Spinal Tap' in the 1980s, which he helmed and appeared in.
Reiner was married to sitcom actress his first wife from the early 70s to the early 80s and is the legal parent to Marshall's daughter, actress Tracy.
He wed Michele Reiner in the late 80s, who he reportedly stated he met during the production of the beloved romantic film When Harry Met Sally. The couple had a family of five together.
Michele Reiner's Work and Public Reaction
Mrs. Reiner was an actress, artist and film producer, and the creator of her own company, a photo business and film production firm.
He was also recognized for his outspoken political activism and backing of Democratic candidates.
In a post referring to their deaths "very sad", an ex-president commented on the director, implying that they "reportedly" died "due to the anger he caused others through his massive, relentless, and obsession" with "a term for his critics".
"He was known to have greatly agitated individuals by his raging obsession of the former president," the post wrote.
It is not clear what information the former president was citing, and while the case is being considered a homicide, authorities have not spoken on any potential reason.
A number of political figures condemned Trump over the remarks, including one-time supporter a congresswoman, who stated the deaths were a "family tragedy, not about politics or rivals".
"Countless households deal with a family member with drug addiction and mental health issues. It's incredibly difficult and should be handled with compassion especially when it results in murder," she said.
Hollywood Response and Condolences
Trump's post were also met with anger by a number of the Reiners' close associates.
In a message on social media, Maria Shriver, the ex-wife of the state and longtime friend of the Reiners, described the couple were "caring mothers and fathers".
"They deeply loved all their kids and they persistently tried looking after them," she wrote.
Music icon Elton John, who had a cameo in this year's Spinal Tap follow-up, commented: "It's hard to believe at this report of Rob and Michele.
"They represented two of the finest people I'd ever met and they deserved better."
Another performer John Cusack, who starred in Reiner's 1985 film 'The Sure Thing', called him "an exceptional person", while actor Elijah Wood, who appeared in 1994's North, said he was "shocked" by the couple's deaths.
