Jake Reiner recounts grief after parents’ killings and brother’s arrest
Developed over time first seen 2 months ago
Jake Reiner has described the lasting grief of losing his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, and the added pain of his brother Nick’s arrest in connection with their deaths. In his first televised interview since the killings, he said the loss has left him and his sister Romy feeling as though their family has been drastically reduced, while he continues to struggle with anger at having had no control over events.
Rob and Michele Reiner were found stabbed to death at their Brentwood home on 14 December. Nick Reiner, 32, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder; an indictment alleges he lay in wait and stabbed them, though it provides few further details, and prosecutors have not said whether they will seek the death penalty. Jake said he intends to honour his parents’ charitable work by representing them at the Children’s Institute gala on 8 November.
- Jake Reiner describes enduring grief after his parents’ deaths.
- Brother Nick denies murdering Rob and Michele Reiner.
- Jake will continue his parents’ charitable legacy.
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Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner were a married couple who were found dead at their home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, in December. Their son Nick has been charged with murdering them and has denied the allegations.
The case has affected the couple’s other children, Jake and Romy, as they deal with the deaths and the criminal case involving their brother. Jake is also involved with the Children’s Institute, a charity supported by his parents.
Full account
Jake Reiner has described the disorienting grief he has experienced since the deaths of his parents, film-maker Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Reiner, at their Brentwood home in Los Angeles in December. In an interview with ABC7 Los Angeles, the 34-year-old said eight months had felt both extremely long and surprisingly immediate, as he was reminded of the loss each day.
He said he was in central Los Angeles on 14 December when his sister Romy, 28, called twice. According to Jake, she told him that their father was dead and that she could not find their mother; he said he went into shock. Reports say Romy had discovered Rob Reiner’s body and contacted emergency services.
Their brother Nick Reiner, 32, was later arrested and has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths. He has pleaded not guilty. Jake said the arrest left him feeling that he had lost not only his parents but also the family life he had known, with he and Romy now having to face the aftermath together. The allegations have not been proven in court.
Jake said anger was among the emotions he had encountered, particularly over the lack of control he felt over events. He also reflected on his parents’ efforts to support Nick, including Rob Reiner’s involvement in the 2015 film Being Charlie, which drew on Nick’s earlier public discussion of addiction and mental-health difficulties. Jake said he was seeking to continue his parents’ charitable legacy through the Children’s Institute foundation.
Where outlets differ
Both reports centre on Jake Reiner’s first televised interview and his account of Romy’s call. Source 2 adds that Romy discovered her father’s body, had called 911, and that both surviving siblings testified before the grand jury. It also reports a dispute over funds in a trust for Nick Reiner and gives a 15 September pretrial-hearing date. Source 1 places greater emphasis on Nick Reiner’s past public discussion of addiction and mental health, the possible penalties if convicted, and Jake’s work with the Children’s Institute. Source 2 says Jake largely declined to discuss the criminal case, whereas Source 1 includes more of his comments about the family’s loss.
More coverage
- The Hill — Jake Reiner opens up on parents' death, brother's arrest in first interview
- The Hollywood Reporter — Rob Reiner’s Son, In First Interview, Speaks About Parents’ Murders, Won’t Discuss Brother Accused of Killings
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Daily Mail as “Jake Reiner describes utter grief after his parents Rob and Michele were murdered and what he thinks about his suspected killer brother”.