The bodies of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner have been returned to the Reiner family five days after their deaths, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed to Us Weekly.
Their bodies were given back to the family after their autopsies were completed on Friday, December 19, less than one week after Rob, 78, and Michele, 70, were killed in their Brentwood home in what authorities have declared was a homicide.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner announced on Wednesday, December 17, that they died from “multiple sharp force injuries.”
Rob and Michele were found dead inside of their home on Sunday, December 14. “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner,” a spokesperson for the family said in a statement to Variety. “We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time.”
Us confirmed on Monday, December 15, that the couple’s son Nick Reiner was arrested on a murder charge in connection to his parents’ deaths. Nick, 32, was brought into custody and has since been charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He is currently facing life in prison without parole or death penalty if he is found guilty.
One day before Rob and Michele’s deaths, they brought Nick to a Christmas party at Conan O’Brien’s house on Saturday, December 13. A source exclusively told Us that Nick was acting “creepily” toward fellow guests. Meanwhile, TMZ reported that Nick and Rob got into a “very loud argument” during the party.
In addition to Nick, the couple shared son Jake Reiner and daughter Romy Reiner. The When Harry Met Sally director was also father of daughter Tracy Reiner, whom he adopted during his first marriage to his late ex-wife, Penny Marshall.
Jake, 32, and Romy, 27, broke their silence regarding their family’s tragedy on December 17. “We cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day. The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience,” read the statement released to TMZ. “They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends.”
They continued, “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.”
“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,” the statement concluded.
Prior to Rob and Michele’s deaths, Nick had been open about his addiction struggles and experiences with homelessness.
Following Nick’s arrest, sources told Us that he had “always been hostile and volatile” toward his family.
“Nick’s problems have been going on for so long, so while everyone is in a state of shock right now, it’s not entirely surprising,” an insider shared.
“A lot of his anger was directed at his parents for many, many years,” the source said. “They did everything a parent could possibly do to help him. Even in his younger years, they really tried to get him help. And then it became a cycle of seeking treatment for him, kicking him out, or him leaving the house, him moving back in. … This went on for years.”
