Rob and Michele Reiner’s son Nick to face murder charges in parents’ deaths

Prosecutors in Los Angeles will file murder charges against Nick Reiner over the deaths of his parents, Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele.

Nick Reiner is facing two counts of first-degree murder with a special circumstance alleging multiple murders, District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.

He could be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole or the death penalty if found guilty. He will be brought to court to formally face charges after he is medically-cleared by prison officials, Mr Hochman added.

The charges came two days after the couple were found dead in their home in Brentwood, California, with multiple stab wounds.

During a news conference, Mr Hochman said no decision had been made about whether prosecutors would seek the death penalty.

The suspect, 32, was also accused of using a “dangerous and deadly weapon, that being a knife”.

He was expected to appear before a judge later on Tuesday for an arraignment hearing, where he will be formally charged.

Rob Reiner directed several iconic films in a variety of genres, including This is Spinal Tap, Misery and A Few Good Men.

Michele Singer Reiner was an actress, photographer and producer, and the founder of Reiner Light, a photography agency and production company.

LA Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell told the news conference: “This case is heartbreaking and deeply personal, not only for the Reiner family and their loved ones, but for the entire city.”

“We extend our deepest condolences to everyone affected by this tragedy.”

During the news conference, officials declined to say how the suspect was located, attributing his arrest to “good, solid police work”.

District Attorney Hochman added that it is too early to say whether any “mental illness” played a role in the crime, and speculated that it could come up at trial.

“If there is evidence of mental illness, it will appear in court, in whatever details the defence seeks to present,” he said.