The Medical Examiner identified “multiple sharp force injuries” as the cause of death for the couple, according to TMZ.
The report confirms initial information provided by law enforcement and the L.A. County District Attorney’s office. The Medical Examiner cited no other causes of death for the 78-year-old filmmaker and his 68-year-old wife. The Medical Examiner’s report was released yesterday, the same day the couple’s youngest son, Nick, appeared in court, facing two counts of first-degree murder.
The report from investigator Jennifer Hertzog and two deputy medical examiners officially lists the manner of death as “homicide.” The report notes that the bodies are “ready for release.”
Per Deadline, the Medical Examiner’s office lists the Reiners’ date of death as December 14, 2025. This ends speculation about when the couple was killed over the weekend.
Meanwhile, Nick Reiner is in custody in downtown Los Angeles after being arrested and charged with murder by the LAPD. His arrest came just hours after his sister, Romy, found their parents’ mutilated bodies in the master bedroom of their Brentwood home.
If convicted, Reiner faces life in prison without parole or, under “special circumstances,” potentially the death penalty.
During a brief hearing on Wednesday, 32-year-old Reiner, shackled and accompanied by his lawyer Alan Jackson, did not enter a plea. He is scheduled to return to court on January 6.
On Wednesday, Romy Reiner and her older brother Jake released a statement mourning the loss of their parents, calling it a “horrific and devastating loss” and saying it is “something that no one should ever experience.” Speaking of Rob and Michele, they said: “They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends.”
However, even with Nick Reiner charged, the LAPD’s investigation into the deaths is ongoing. The Medical Examiner’s case also remains open, with a final report not expected for at least 90 days.