Most details surrounding the deaths of Hollywood legend Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner, have already been made public by the media. But after an LAPD order, the records of the case have been sealed "until further notice." The court order issued by a judge prohibits the L.A. County Medical Examiner from sharing the details of the murder case with anyone but the "assigned investigators." Although there's no date for the death records to go public again, the LAPD is re-examining every detail before the court hearing that'll determine the future of the case. Hours after they were found dead in their Los Angeles home, the couple's son, Nick, was arrested and has become the only suspect in the case.
As reported by Deadline, the court order forbids the Medical Examiner's office from "the public release of any investigative information, notes, reports, or photos." Law enforcement agents indicate that "the causes of death of Mr. and Mrs. Reiner have already been made public." The LAPD adds: "The order was sought only to ensure detectives from Robbery-Homicide Division learned of important information surrounding their deaths before the media and the public. The order was not sought to undermine transparency." The issued document read as follows:
"On December 24 at 10:30 a.m., the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (Department) received a court order, initiated by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), to place a security hold on Medical Examiner case numbers 2025-19480 and 2025-19481, Robert and Michele Reiner. While the cause and manner of death were previously released on these cases, due to the court order, the information is no longer available. No other case information or records, including the Medical Examiner report, can be released or posted on the website until further notice.
"The Department understands the public's interest in these cases and remains committed to transparency when possible. Information will be made available once the court order is lifted."
Although the death certificates were already issued, the LAPD is likely trying to cover the more sensitive details about the murders, especially as Nick Reiner's hearing is scheduled for January 7. Although rare in the state of California, early reports indicate that the young man could be facing the death penalty. Per Deadline, the prosecutors are trying to meet with members of the Reiner family and will make decisions afterward.
Tributes Continue To Pour in for Rob and Michele Reiner
Columbia Pictures/ Courtesy: Everett Collection.
The entire industry and audiences worldwide were shaken weeks ago when the first reports about the death of the Reiners arrived. Amid the shock, many close to the couple started pouring in messages of love towards the family – something that hasn't stopped, even as more details have surfaced about the tragic murders that point to the couple's own son.
Billy Crystal, Kevin Bacon, and Demi Moore were some of the first to express their condolences, and publicly post grieving messages. The latest message came from The Princess Bride star Cary Elwes, who said the following about the late couple: "Thank you Rob and Michele for sharing your life and art with us. Because my heart still aches every time I think of you, I know the grief of losing you too soon will likely never go away. Sure, death cannot stop true love but life is pain without you."
