Siblings Romy and Jake Reiner testified before a grand jury that indicted their brother, Nick Reiner, for the murders of their parents, Rob and Michele Reiner. Nick Reiner, 32, was formally indicted in July for the December 2025 slayings of his parents at their $13.5 million mansion.
A representative for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office confirmed to People that Romy, 28, and Jake, 35, testified, though the specifics of their statements remain undisclosed. The indictment, unsealed earlier this month, includes the allegation of "laying in wait," a special circumstance that could lead to a life sentence without parole or the death penalty if convicted.
Nick Reiner has pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is alleged to have used a dangerous and deadly weapon in the killings of his father, the director of "This Is Spinal Tap," 78, and his mother, 70.
Reiner, who has a history of mental health and substance abuse issues, was residing in a guesthouse on his parents' property at the time of the incident. He has been held without bail since his arrest and is scheduled for a pretrial hearing in September.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman has indicated that the death penalty is being considered. He stated that the decision to seek the death penalty is a rigorous process involving the examination of all mitigating and aggravating circumstances. Defense counsel has been invited to present arguments for or against its pursuit.
California has not carried out an execution since 2006, and Governor Gavin Newsom imposed a moratorium on the death penalty in 2019, making a death sentence unlikely to be carried out.
Jake Reiner previously shared his profound grief in an essay, describing how his sister Romy delivered the news of their parents' murders and his brother's subsequent indictment. He recounted his shock and devastation, expressing the loss of future milestones such as attending his wedding or holding future grandchildren. Jake described the immense pain of losing both parents simultaneously and having his brother at the center of the tragedy, calling it "almost too impossible to process."
He also detailed the ongoing emotional toll, stating that every action and interaction since the event is connected to the murders. Jake paid tribute to his parents, calling them "the center of my life," and described his mother, Michele, as the "engine, the backbone, and the heart of our entire family."