The Los Angeles district attorney and police chief spoke to the media about evidence in the case against Nick Reiner.
During a press conference on Tuesday, December 16, Los Angeles’ district attorney Nathan Hochman responded to a question about an alleged murder weapon being found in connection to the deaths of Nick’s parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.
“These special allegations [are] that the murder was committed with a deadly weapon or a knife, as to where and how the weapon … was located or will be located,” Hochman said. “That will actually be evidence we’ll present in court.”
Another reporter asked about potential evidence in the case to which police chief Jim McDonald shared some insight on how the authorities have handled the investigation.
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“With good solid police work investigative tools used by robbery, homicide and gang and narcotic division detectives with the U.S. Marshall Service task force, involved as well,” McDonald said. “So we’re thankful for the work that was done. I won’t go into talking about what was found or anything that could potentially taint the investigation.”
Hochman also revealed that the district attorney’s office was charging Nick, 32, with two counts of first-degree murder.
“These charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty,” he said. “No decision at this point has been made with respect to the death penalty we have requested. And currently, Nick Reiner is being held without bail. Now in announcing these charges, I also want to announce that they’re just that, they are charges. Charges are not evidence. Evidence is something that we will be presenting in a court of law to meet the standard of proof we meet in every criminal case.”
News broke on Sunday, December 14, that Rob and Michele were found dead in their Brentwood, California, home. Rob was 78 while Michele was 68. (In addition to Nick, the couple shared son Jake, 34, and daughter Romy, 28. Rob was also the father to daughter Tracy, whom he adopted during his first marriage to his late ex-wife, Penny Marshall.)
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner,” a spokesman for the Reiner family told Variety at the time. “We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.”
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The Los Angeles Police Department later confirmed that Rob and Michele suffered from “apparent stab wounds.” Us Weekly reported on Monday, December 15, that Nick was in custody on a murder charge.
On Tuesday, Nick failed to appear in court. Nick’s attorney, Alan Jackson, told reporters that his client has yet to be “medically cleared” to appear in court. Hochman shared in the press conference later that day that Nick was still going through “medical clearance,” and he will appear in court once given the OK.
Several of Rob and Michele’s friends and former colleagues paid tribute to the late couple after their deaths.
“They loved their kids so much, and they never stopped trying to be really good parents,” Maria Shriver wrote in a heartfelt Instagram post. “My love is with their family. I’m so sad for them. I’m devastated, gutted, shocked, stunned, and so deeply saddened, as are all of the people who loved them and who they loved.”
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