Nick Reiner, accused of killing his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, will not face the death penalty, prosecutors have confirmed.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced the decision before a Sept. 15 hearing, saying it followed a “careful judgment about the most appropriate path” in the Reiner murder case.
“I have spoken to the Reiner family and evaluated the mitigating and aggravating factors that are part of special circumstance murder cases,” District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement. “Seeking capital punishment should be reserved for the most egregious instances, and we determined after a thorough review that the death penalty was not the appropriate resolution in this case.”
Hochman also said he consulted with Nick Reiner’s siblings, Romy Reiner and Jake Reiner, before reaching the decision. He confirmed that discussion while speaking to reporters outside the courthouse that day.
“They made their views very clear,” Hochman said of the conversation. “We took their views into consideration in ultimately deciding not to seek the death penalty.”
Because prosecutors will not pursue capital punishment, Nick Reiner could face a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole if he is convicted.
After the announcement, Los Angeles County Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene, Nick Reiner’s attorney, said she was “pleased” that the district attorney’s office had made “the right decision” not to seek the death penalty.
“Nick has a serious mental illness and a long history of struggling with self-medicating,” Greene told Oxygen. “His circumstances are a tragic example of how difficult it can be for people experiencing significant mental health challenges to access and navigate the treatment and support they need.”
“Nothing can undo the profound loss experienced by the Reiner family and those who loved them,” she continued. “Our hearts remain with the family and all those impacted by these tragic deaths. We will continue to approach this case with care, compassion and a commitment to ensuring that Nick’s circumstances are fully understood as the legal process moves forward.”
What Is Nick Reiner Accused Of?
Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner were found dead at their Brentwood, California, home on Dec. 14, 2025. Their daughter, Romy, discovered their bodies.
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Less than 24 hours later, Nick was located and arrested at a Los Angeles gas station, and he has remained behind bars since.
In July, Nick was indicted on two counts of murder with two special circumstance allegations: multiple murders and murder by means of lying in wait. The indictment also included a special allegation that Nick personally used a dangerous and deadly weapon—a knife—during his alleged attack.
Nick has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
According to Hochman, Romy and Jake both want the transcripts from July’s grand jury proceedings to remain sealed—a decision the judge will make following an October hearing.
“They basically have said that the disclosure to the public and the media of the details and evidence of the killing of their parents,” the district attorney told reporters, “will cause them additional trauma and harm.”
What’s Next in the Nick Reiner Case?
Nick is next set to appear in court on Oct. 7 for a motions hearing, per the district attorney’s office.
According to Hochman, it will likely be at least several months until his trial officially begins.
“We estimate that the trial will not occur before 2027,” he told reporters on Sept. 15. “However, when the defense is ready to proceed, the government will be ready to proceed.”