US: Director Rob Reiner, wife found dead in LA mansion

The son of Rob and Michele Reiner was arrested after the Hollywood director and his wife were found dead in Los Angeles. Authorities were probing an "apparent homicide."

Hollywood director and actor Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead on Sunday at their Los Angeles home.

Earlier, authorities had said that two bodies were found at Reiner's home in the upscale Brentwood neighborhood.

Their 32-year-old son was arrested on Sunday evening and was being held on $4 million (€3.4 million) bail, according to booking information from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Office.

What we know about Rob Reiner's death

The Los Angeles Police Department said in a statement that detectives with the Robbery-Homicide Division were probing the circumstances of the deaths as an "apparent homicide."

Earlier, the Los Angeles Fire Department had said it responded to a medical aid request just after 3:30 p.m. local time on Sunday and found the bodies of a 78-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman. 

Later on Thursday, People magazine published an exclusive report saying that the couple's son Nick, 32, had been brought in for questioning.

Nick Reiner has been open about his struggles with addiction and periods of homelessness. However, in recent years, he appeared to have made amends with his family. He cowrote the film "Being Charlie," which was inspired by his struggles, and directed by his father.

A Los Angeles deputy police chief said earlier they were seeking to interview "every family member" of Rob and Michele Reiner.

Who was Rob Reiner?

Reiner, 78, was a prominent name in the US film industry.

He began his career as an actor in the groundbreaking 1970s sitcom "All in the Family."

He then shifted focus to directing. Some of his popular works include  "A Few Good Men," "When Harry Met Sally" and "The Princess Bride."

Rob was the son of comedy legend Carl Reiner. 

He met photographer Michele Singer Reiner while directing "When Harry Met Sally."

The couple got married in 1989 and have three children together. 

Reiner was also a liberal activist. He was the co-founder of the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which initiated the court challenge that lifted the ban on same-sex marriage in California.

He had also helped fundraise for some Democratic presidential candidates.

Former US Vice President Kamala Harris said she was "devastated to learn of their passing."

Former President Barack Obama said Reiner gave his audience "some of our most cherished stories on screen. But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people."

Condolences pour in for Reiner

California Governor Gavin Newsom posted a statement on X saying that was "heartbroken" by the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner.

"Rob will be remembered for his remarkable filmography and for his extraordinary contribution to humanity," Newsom said.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Reiner's death was a "devastating loss."

"Rob Reiner's contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice," Bass said.

Actor John Cusack, who was the male lead in Reiner's film "The Sure Thing," called the director a "great man." 

"Shocked by the death of Rob Reiner - a great man," he said.

Edited by: Wesley Rahn