Rob Reiner’s Son Nick Found Near USC Hours After Parents’ Bodies Discovered in Brentwood

Nick Reiner, the son of filmmaker Rob Reiner and photographer-producer Michele Reiner, was not at his parents’ Brentwood home when their bodies were discovered, according to reports, and was later located miles away near the University of Southern California.

Nick, 32, allegedly left the Brentwood residence and traveled a short distance before being found by authorities near the USC campus, ABC News reported. Police were able to “quickly” locate him in the area, where he was arrested on suspicion of murder at around 9:15 p.m. on Sunday.

When contacted by PEOPLE, the Los Angeles Police Department’s public information officer confirmed that “the location of the suspect’s arrest was in the Exposition Park area near USC.”

Timeline of the Arrest

PEOPLE had earlier reported

that Nick was taken into custody on December 14, several hours after his parents were found dead. According to the LAPD, Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Reiner, 70, were discovered inside their Brentwood home at approximately 3:40 p.m. Sunday. Investigators later identified Nick as the suspect in the case.

Nick was formally arrested later that evening in connection with the killings and is currently being held without bond at Los Angeles’ Twin Towers Jail. A source told PEOPLE that Nick is expected to appear in court on Tuesday, December 16. At this time, authorities have not publicly shared details regarding a motive.

The case has sent shockwaves through Hollywood, given Rob Reiner’s decades-long legacy as an actor, director and producer behind films such as The Princess Bride and When Harry Met Sally….

Party Altercation Before the Killings

In the hours leading up to the deaths, the family had attended a holiday party hosted by Conan O’Brien. Two sources who were present told PEOPLE that Nick and Rob got into a “big fight” at the gathering.

“Nick was freaking everyone out, acting crazy, kept asking people if they were famous,” one of the sources shared.
Rob and Michele married in 1989 and shared three children together — Jake, Nick and Romy. Rob also has a daughter, Tracy, whom he adopted during his previous marriage to Penny Marshall, which lasted from 1971 to 1981.

Nick has previously spoken publicly about his struggles with addiction and homelessness. In a 2016 interview with PEOPLE, he revealed that his substance abuse issues began in his teens and that he cycled in and out of rehabilitation starting around age 15. As his addiction worsened, Nick said he became increasingly estranged from home and spent extended periods living unhoused across multiple states.