Update: Nick Reiner Arrest Report Surfaces as Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner Are Connected to Tragedy
1.
Nick Reiner in custody with $4 million bail
published at 15:37 GMT
Breaking news
Nick Reiner, the son of veteran filmmaker Rob Reiner, has been arrested and is currently in custody, with bail set at $4 million (£2.9 million), according to LASD Inmate Center records. The 32-year-old was taken into custody on Sunday and formally charged on Monday.
2.
Trump’s remarks about Reiner raise eyebrows
published at 15:30 GMT
Anthony Zurcher
North America correspondent
Donald Trump has a long history of provocative statements directed at his critics. In this case, a Truth Social post attributes Rob Reiner’s reported death to what Trump calls his own “Trump derangement syndrome,” implying that Reiner’s political views may have contributed to his death. There is currently no police evidence supporting this claim. The post appears amid broader political debates and punitive rhetoric against left-leaning figures.
3.
Trump criticizes Reiner in Truth Social post
published at 15:16 GMT
Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from the White House
President Donald Trump responded on Truth Social to the California tragedy, describing it as “very sad” while criticizing Reiner, a frequent opponent of his. In the message, Trump asserted—without presenting evidence—that Reiner and his wife died due to the anger Reiner allegedly provoked in others through his vehement opposition to Trump, invoking the term “Trump Derangement Syndrome” (TDS).
What reports Trump references remains unclear. Police have treated the fatalities as a possible homicide and have not disclosed a motive. Trump’s framing extends beyond established facts of the case. The term TDS is a favorite shorthand among Trump’s allies for critics.
Reiner, a lifelong Democrat and prominent liberal activist, was a vocal Trump critic; for instance, in 2017 he described Trump as "mentally unfit" for office.
4.
Tributes pour in from Hollywood: ‘a huge loss’
published at 14:29 GMT
Image source: Brenda Chase Online USA, Inc via Getty
Monty Python star Eric Idle shared on X that he spoke with Reiner for over an hour the night before; the two had formed a friendship around 50 years ago. Idle called Reiner clever, talented, and thoughtful.
Kathy Bates, who acted in Reiner’s Misery (1990), told NBC News that Reiner changed the course of her life. She described him as a filmmaker who explored many genres to challenge himself, and praised Michele Reiner as a gifted photographer.
John Cusack called Reiner a great man, and Elijah Wood said he was horrified by the couple’s deaths. James Woods, nominated for an Oscar for Ghosts of Mississippi (1996), said he was devastated by the tragedy. Comedian and director Ben Stiller called it a huge loss, noting Reiner’s influence on a generation of filmmakers and pointing to Spinal Tap as among his most influential works.
5.
What is known so far
published at 14:26 GMT
Authorities have shared limited information to date.
Here’s a summary of the verified details:
- Around 15:38 local time yesterday, Los Angeles Fire Department responders were dispatched to a Brentwood residence, a neighborhood known for celebrity residents.
- Police confirmed the deaths of a 78-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman at the home; they were later identified as Rob Reiner and his wife Michele.
- Investigators are treating the deaths as homicides.
- No arrests have been announced, and no person of interest has been identified yet.
- A LAPD news conference last night offered few specifics about the investigation or findings from responders.
- Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton noted both bodies remained inside the home more than six hours after first responders arrived.
- The Los Angeles coroner’s office will determine the causes of death.
6.
Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner found dead in LA home
published at 14:14 GMT
Sakshi Venkatraman
US reporter
Renowned Hollywood director and actor Rob Reiner and his wife Michele were discovered dead at their Los Angeles residence on Sunday. Authorities are investigating the incident as a possible homicide, but specifics remain sparse. At this stage, no arrests have been reported and no named suspect has been identified, though circumstances may evolve as the investigation progresses.
Stay tuned for ongoing coverage with updates from police and tributes from the Hollywood community.
