Nick Reiner pleaded not guilty Wednesday, Aug. 12, to updated charges stemming from the December 2025 deaths of his parents, Hollywood filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner and photographer-producer Michele Singer Reiner.
Reiner, 32, was indicted by a Los Angeles County grand jury on two counts of murder, with special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder by means of lying in wait. He also faces a special allegation that he personally used a knife, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.
Prosecutors allege Reiner fatally stabbed his parents at their Brentwood, California, home on Dec. 14, 2025. Death certificates list Rob Reiner's time of death as 3:45 p.m. and Michele Reiner's as 3:46 p.m. Both died from multiple
sharp-force injuries.
Prosecutors said Reiner fled the home and was arrested later that evening in Exposition Park.
Nick Reiner pleads not guilty
Reiner initially pleaded not guilty to murder charges in February. He entered another not-guilty plea Wednesday after prosecutors added the special circumstance allegation that the killings were committed by means of lying in wait.
He is scheduled to return to court Aug. 17 for a hearing related to a separate dispute involving his family trust. His next court appearance in the criminal case is scheduled for Sept. 15.
Reiner's history of mental health and substance abuse struggles has been publicly documented. He experienced periods of homelessness and underwent rehabilitation treatment over nearly two decades.
In 2015, Reiner co-wrote "Being Charlie," a film directed by his father and inspired by his struggles with addiction and homelessness.
Nick Reiner seeks access to family trust
In June, Reiner filed a petition seeking access to money from a trust fund that he says he became entitled to receive after turning 30.
According to court documents previously obtained by USA TODAY, Reiner said he was unable to pay for legal representation or basic necessities while incarcerated.
Who was Rob Reiner?
Rob Reiner was born in the Bronx in 1947 to actors Carl and Estelle Reiner. His family later lived in New Rochelle, where he and his siblings grew up.
Reiner became widely known for playing Michael "Meathead" Stivic on the groundbreaking sitcom "All in the Family." He won two Emmy Awards for the role.
His most enduring work came as a director. His film credits include "This Is Spinal Tap," "Stand by Me," "The Princess Bride," "A Few Good Men" and "When Harry Met Sally ..."
Reiner received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999.
He and Michele Singer Reiner, whom he married in 1989, had three children: Jake, Nick and Romy. Reiner also adopted Tracy Reiner, the daughter of his first wife, filmmaker Penny Marshall.
Contributing: USA Today Network
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Nick Reiner pleads not guilty to updated charges in parents' killings
