Nick Reiner indictment: New charges emerge against Rob Reiner and Michele Singer’s son in murder probe

The son of the Misery director, Rob Reiner, and renowned photographer Michele Singer, Nick Reiner, who was reportedly accused of killing his parents in cold blood at their Brentwood residence in California on December 14, 2025, was recently officially charged with the murder of both Rob and Michele.

According to Page Six, Nick Reiner, 32, who previously worked as a screenplay writer, as cited in court documents, was newly charged with "lying in wait", which means he ambushed his parents and killed them in an unexpected attack.

The defence lawyer, Seth J. Zuckerman, a prominent criminal attorney, took the opportunity to explain in detail what the new charge against Nick Reiner would mean. Zuckerman said:

"'Lying in wait' is a legal-specific action where you concealed the purpose, you waited and you launched a surprise attack."

He further added that:

Rob and Michele may have been "unaware that this was going to happen" and that Nick could have been "watching and waiting."

Zuckerman went ahead and noted that "lying in wait" is different than a premeditated murder, as it only needs:

"Proof of active planning or deliberation."

The New York-based attorney, who is the founder and owner of The Zuckerman Legal Group, went ahead and stated that he reckons there has to be evidence that would indicate a strong possibility that Nick reportedly waited before he killed his parents, Michele and Rob Reiner. Seth J. Zuckerman added:

"There must be some evidence here, whether it’s surveillance footage, text messages, witness testimony, a diary entry, or something that shows that he was lying and waiting for any plans to do this."

Nick Reiner's new "lying in wait" charge could create hurdles for the defense to argue insanity

As Nick Reiner has a history of drug abuse and has struggled with mental health problems, the defence would have a hard time arguing insanity with his new charge of "lying in wait". Zuckerman said:

"I'm assuming they were anticipating a psychiatric defense. And the ‘lying in wait’ certainly impacts that because it proves that he didn’t snap, right? That he intended to do this, that he ambushed them, that he was waiting for them to come home and he did a surprise attack."

He further noted:

"This is direct evidence of the defendant’s state of mind."

Zuckerman also mentioned that Nick's new charge could make his punishment a lot more severe. He noted:

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"It makes it death penalty eligible or eligibility for life without parole."

Nick Reiner's pretrial hearing has been set for September 15, 2026. If he gets convicted, he will either receive the death penalty or lifetime imprisonment.

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