Rob Reiner‘s son could face death for his parents’ murder or spend the rest of his life behind bars

The L.A. County District Attorney today announced Nick Reiner will be charged with two counts of first degree murder for the alleged killing of his parents. if found guilty, the younger Reiner could face life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

More striking, Nick Reiner could also face the death penalty.

Even though it is rare and unlikely in California, the death penalty is a possibility here because of the “special circumstances” of multiple murders that the DA’s office has added to the claims. The charges are in the process of being filed right now, and the younger Reiner could be arraigned as early as this afternoon or Wednesday.

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DA Nathan Hochman revealed that he has not yet made a decision if his prosecutors will seek the death penalty for the younger Reiner, but made clear they could. Hochman added that his team will weigh and listen to the “thoughts and desires of the family” before making that potentially fatal choice.

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The 78-year-old A Few Good Men director and his 68-year-old spouse were found dead of multiple stab wounds on December 14 in their Brentwood home. Nick Reiner was arrested later that night and is currently behind bars in downtown LA booked on murder. Even with today’s charges and eventually filing, the DA’s office and the police both said the investigation into what happened at the Reiner residence is ongoing.

The 32-year-old Reiner has had a long and public history of addiction and battles with substance abuse — as made evident in the 2015 Being Charlie film Nick Reiner made with his father.

As Deadline reported previously, Nick Reiner had been living with his parents at their house for the past several weeks. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell admitted today that law enforcement, who were called to the residence around 3:30 pm PT on Sunday, did not have an actual time of death as of yet.

As expected, DA Hochman made the charges against Nick Reiner public at a press conference in downtown LA surrounded by the LAPD Chief and members of the DA’s office.

“Do I anticipate it being particularly fast? No,” Hochman said of the high-profile matter that was committed with a “deadly weapon or a knife.” The DA added: “I anticipate it being rather through.”

(L-R) LA County DA Nathan Hochman & LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell announce charges on Dec. 16, 2025 against Nick Reiner in his parents’ stabbing death (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images) Getty

Tuesday, Nick Reiner’s newly minted defense lawyer Alan Jackson said it will be a “day-to-day” approach for his client, especially when it comes to court appearances. Still not facing official charges this morning, Nick Reiner did not show up for a hearing, because, according to Jackson, he had not gone through the process of being “medically cleared.” It is unclear if Reiner will make a court appearance later today or not.