Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner found dead at Los Angeles home; police probe apparent homicide

Veteran filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner and his wife, producer Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead at their Brentwood residence in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon, with authorities treating the case as an apparent homicide.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a medical-aid call at the home around 3:30 pm local time on December 14 and discovered the bodies of a 78-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman inside the residence, NBC Los Angeles reported. Officials said both victims had injuries consistent with stab wounds.

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Following the discovery, the Los Angeles Police Department classified the case as an apparent homicide and handed the investigation to its Robbery-Homicide Division, according to a statement cited by NBC Los Angeles. Police officials said the inquiry remains active and ongoing.

Although authorities have not formally released the victims’ identities, multiple outlets including People and ABC7 Los Angeles confirmed that the deceased were Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Singer Reiner, who had been married since 1989.

A spokesperson for the Reiner family said in a statement to People that the family was “heartbroken by this sudden loss” and requested privacy during what they described as an “unbelievably difficult time.”

Law enforcement officials told ABC7 Los Angeles that no arrests have been made so far and no suspect has been publicly named. Detectives continue to process the scene and interview family members and individuals connected to the household.

According to sources cited by People, the couple’s daughter, Romy Reiner, discovered their bodies inside the home. Police have not disclosed further details regarding the circumstances of the deaths and have not confirmed a motive.

A career defining both film and television

Rob Reiner was one of Hollywood's most influential figures, first rising to prominence as Michael "Meathead" Stivic on the landmark sitcom All in the Family. The role earned him two Primetime Emmy Awards and established him as a household name.

Reiner went on to build a career as a celebrated director, making films across genres including This Is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally…, Misery, and A Few Good Men, the latter of which was an Academy Award nominee for Best Picture. His later work included The American President, The Bucket List and Spinal Tap II: The End Continues, which he completed just this year.

He had also co-founded Castle Rock Entertainment, for productions ranging from Seinfeld to The Shawshank Redemption.

Outside of filmmaking, Reiner continued to be active in public policy, advocating for early childhood development programs, and was a high-profile proponent in the battle to legalize same-sex marriage in California.

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Family

Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner had three children: Jake, Nick, and Romy. He was also the step-dad of Tracy Reiner, an actress, and the biological daughter of his first wife, filmmaker Penny Marshall, who passed away in 2018.

The Los Angeles Police Department has made an appeal to anybody who might have information regarding this case, asking them to reach the investigators with details. Authorities added that more updates would be shared as the investigation proceeds.