Nick Reiner charged with the murders of parents Rob and Michele Reiner: what we know

Following the deaths of his parents, celebrated Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Reiner, Nick Reiner has been officially charged with murder by prosecutors.

The charges were announced by Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman on Tuesday, December 16, just two days after the couple was discovered dead in their Brentwood, California home.

Nick, 32, is now facing two counts of first-degree murder.

According to Hochman, the filing includes a "special circumstance" allegation of multiple murders. Additionally, prosecutors have attached a "special allegation" that the suspect used a "dangerous and deadly weapon, that being a knife."

If convicted, Nick could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. During a news conference on December 16, Hochman said that prosecutors have not yet reached a decision regarding whether they will seek capital punishment.

Nick wasn’t able to appear in court on December 16. Hochman added that Nick must be medically cleared by prison officials before he can be brought to court to formally face the charges and enter a plea.

Rob was a titan of cinema, known for directing iconic films such as "This is Spinal Tap", "Misery" and "A Few Good Men", while Michele was an actress, producer and the founder of Reiner Light, a photography agency and production company.

The investigation began when Rob and Michele were found in their home suffering from multiple stab wounds. Officials noted that autopsies are currently underway to determine the precise cause, manner and times of death.

"This case is heartbreaking and deeply personal, not only for the Reiner family and their loved ones, but for the entire city. We extend our deepest condolences to everyone affected by this tragedy," said LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell in an online statement. 

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump's remarks about the deaths have drawn criticism from some political figures and celebrities, who say that it was inappropriate. 

Rob was a long-time, vocal critic of Trump who frequently questioned his fitness for office.

In a social media post on Truth Social, a platform created by the Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), Trump claimed that Rob died on account of the anger he instigated as a result of his own "Trump derangement syndrome". 

"A tortured and struggling, but once very talented movie director and comedy star, has passed away, together with his wife, Michele, reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind-crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME, sometimes referred to as TDS.

"He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness."

Former first lady Michelle Obama, who recently visited "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", used the opportunity to hit back at Trump.

Said that she and her husband, former President Barack Obama, had plans to see Rob and Michele the night of their untimely deaths.

"We've known them for many, many years. And we were supposed to be seeing them that night, last night, and we got the news," she said.

"And let me just say this, unlike some people, Rob and Michele Reiner are some of the most decent, courageous people you ever want to know ... They are not deranged or crazed."

She said that Rob and his wife have always been "passionate people in a time when there's not a lot of courage going on."

"They were the kind of people who were ready to put their actions behind what they cared about. And they cared about their family. And they cared about this country. And they cared about fairness and equity. And that is the truth. I do know them," she said.