On just the fourth day since the grisly discovery of the bodies of Rob and Michele Reiner, their son Nick made his first court appearance on murder charges, the Los Angeles coroner confirmed that the couple was stabbed to death in the master bedroom of their Brentwood home – and their children, Jake and Romy, expressed “unimaginable pain” from the unfolding family tragedy.
Nick Reiner, 32, appeared briefly in court Wednesday after being formally charged for his parents’ murders the day before. He spoke only once, responding “Yes, your honor,” before the arraignment hearing was postponed to Jan. 7. It was the second postponement of arraignment, as Reiner had not yet been medically cleared, according to his attorney, Alan Jackson.
Also Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office determined Rob and Michele Reiner’s death was due to “multiple sharp force injuries.” The manner of death was ruled a homicide.
The Hollywood couple was found by their 27-year-old daughter Romy on Sunday afternoon with apparent stab wounds. Nick Reiner was charged Tuesday with two counts of first-degree murder, including special circumstances of multiple murders and the use of a deadly weapon, which carry the possibility of life in prison without parole; a decision on the death penalty was pending.
On Wednesday, Jackson asked that the public allow the legal process to unfold “with restraint and with dignity” outside the courthouse, saying that respect is owed both to the justice system and to the Reiner family.
“There are very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case,” said the high-profile defense attorney, a former prosecutor who defended Harvey Weinstein against rape charges in California. “Things need to be thoroughly but very carefully dealt with and examined and analyzed.”
A courtroom sketch showed Nick appearing in a blue jail-issued suicide prevention vest. He will remain in custody until his next hearing.
In the wake of Rob and Michele’s deaths, reports have poured out from a holiday party hosted by Conan O’Brien and attended by Rob, Michele and Nick. According to the Rolling Stone, Nick was brought to the party so his parents could “keep an eye on him.” The New York Times reported that a guest said Nick made attendees “deeply unsettled” after he “looked anxious and uncomfortable” at the gathering.
NBC News reported that Nick interrupted a conversation at O’Brien’s party between Bill Hader and another guest. When Hader said the conversation was private, Nick reportedly “appeared to stand still and stare before ‘storming off.’”
On Tuesday, stunt performer Erik Audé, who worked on “Being Charlie” directed by Rob and written by Nick, shared an Instagram video where he discussed an explosive on-set fight between Nick and Rob, which Audé called “a common thing.” Nick was 22 at the time and co-wrote the semi-autobiographical script charting a young man’s struggle with addiction and his relationship to his parents through his recovery.
“I got into the house that we’re filming at, because that’s where the coffee and the craft service was, and Rob was standing over the couch yelling at his son,” Audé said. “I wasn’t, like, trying to watch, but you had no choice but to hear this argument and exchange take place. And the way everyone’s going about their business you can kind of tell this is a common thing that was happening, but it was the first time I was seeing it.”
“The Princess Bride” director and his producer wife met on the set of “When Harry Met Sally…” and wed in 1989. The couple had three kids together, Nick, Jake and Romy. Rob also had an adopted daughter Tracy, who he welcomed in his decade-long marriage to Penny Marshall.
Rob and Michele’s children released their first joint statement Wednesday.
“Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day,” they wrote. “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.”
“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 continued. “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.”
Tracy shared her own statement earlier this week with NBC News. “I came from the greatest family ever,” she said. “I don’t know what to say. I’m in shock.”
Celebrities whose lives were touched by the Reiner family have gradually spoken out throughout the week, sharing their love and admiration for the spouses. Meg Ryan, who famously starred in “When Harry Met Sally…,” took to Instagram on Wednesday to share her own remarks.
“Thank you, Rob and Michelle, for the way you believe in true love, in fairy tales, and in laughter,” Ryan said. “Thank you for your faith in the best in people, and for your profound love of our country.”
