Nick Reiner, accused of murdering his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, has been refused access to the $1.5 million US trust fund he sought for his legal defense. In a recent filing, Reiner was attempting to claim unpaid funds from a trust established for him in 1993 by his parents.
Trustees, as per court documents obtained by CBC News, denied Reiner’s request citing California’s “slayer statute,” which prohibits individuals from inheriting assets from someone they have feloniously and intentionally killed. Rob Reiner, a renowned director and actor, and Michele, a photographer and producer, were fatally stabbed in their California residence on December 14, 2025, with their son Nick subsequently arrested.
Facing murder charges and having pleaded not guilty, Reiner, indicted by a Los Angeles County grand jury, is alleged to have lay in wait before the attack, potentially facing the death penalty pending the outcome of the case. The District Attorney’s office is yet to decide on seeking the death penalty.
Reiner, represented by public defender Kimberly Greene, is scheduled for a pretrial hearing in September. In a separate filing, it was disclosed that Reiner’s siblings, Jake and Romy Reiner, initially agreed to cover his legal expenses but later reversed their decision.
The court documents also revealed that the trust fund could not be accessed until the outcome of the criminal proceedings against Reiner is clear, as per the Probate Code Section 250 and related principles of the “slayer statute.” Motives behind the killings remain undisclosed as authorities continue the investigation.
Jake Reiner, the eldest son, expressed the anguish over his parents’ murder and the attention surrounding his brother’s case, stating it as a “living nightmare.” Rob Reiner, known for his extensive contributions to the film industry, directed iconic movies like “The Princess Bride,” “A Few Good Men,” and “Stand By Me,” while meeting Michele during the production of the beloved film “When Harry Met Sally,” a relationship that inspired a change in the movie’s ending. Their enduring 36-year marriage ended tragically with their untimely deaths.