Hollywood is reeling after the shocking deaths of beloved filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, activist and photographer Michele Singer Reiner — and now, their surviving children have broken their silence.
Romy and Jake Reiner released a joint statement on Tuesday, just one day after their brother, 32-year-old Nick Reiner, was charged with murdering their parents inside their Los Angeles home.
“Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day,” the siblings said. “The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience. They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends.”
Authorities confirmed that police were called to the couple’s Beverly Hills residence on December 14 after a relative requested a welfare check. Officers arrived to find both Rob and Michele dead at the scene with what investigators described as “multiple sharp-force injuries.”
Nick Reiner, known for his struggles with addiction and mental health — chronicled in the 2015 film Being Charlie, which was co-written by him and directed by his father — was taken into custody without incident two days later. He was formally charged on December 16 with two counts of murder and is being held without bail at the Los Angeles County Jail, according to court records.
The tragedy has stunned the entertainment community. Rob Reiner, 78, was one of Hollywood’s most respected filmmakers, celebrated for classics like When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men, and The Princess Bride. He was also a vocal political activist, often speaking out on social issues and civil rights. Michele Singer Reiner, his wife of nearly 35 years, was a humanitarian and co-founder of the non-profit The Nation Institute’s Puffin/Nation Prize for Creative Citizenship.
Friends and colleagues have poured out tributes across social media. “Rob wasn’t just a giant in film — he was a giant in heart,” wrote actor Billy Crystal, who starred in When Harry Met Sally. “This is beyond comprehension.”
In their statement, Romy and Jake expressed gratitude for the global outpouring of sympathy. “We are grateful for the outpouring of condolences, kindness, and support we have received not only from family and friends but people from all walks of life,” they said. “We now ask for respect and privacy, for speculation to be tempered with compassion and humanity, and for our parents to be remembered for the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave.”
Police have not released a motive, though investigators reportedly believe the killings may have followed a family dispute.
As the investigation continues, Hollywood mourns a couple remembered not just for their creative legacy — but for their deep devotion to each other and their family.
(Source: NBC News, Los Angeles Times, Variety)
So sorry for their loss 😢💔
My heart goes out to you