Director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer, were discovered dead in their Los Angeles home on Sunday, according to a statement from their family. Senior law enforcement sources told ABC News that both victims were stabbed to death in their Brentwood-area residence, marking a devastating event for the local community and beyond.
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time,” the Reiner family said in a statement.
Officials clarified during a press conference Sunday night that a suspect has not been identified and no one is currently in custody. Mayor Karen Bass commented on the loss, stating, “This is a devastating loss for our city and our country. Rob Reiner’s contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice.”
Firefighters responded to a medical aid call at 3:38 p.m. at the home in the 250 block of Chadbourne Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Initially, the deceased were identified only as a man and a woman, ages 78 and 68, respectively. Police launched a death investigation that subsequently developed into a murder case, with property records confirming the home belonged to Reiner. The Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division is leading the investigation, and senior LAPD officials were present at the scene.
Neighbors reported that actors Billy Crystal and Larry David arrived separately at the home on Sunday evening. Both stayed briefly before leaving, with a neighbor noting that Crystal “looked like he was about to cry.” The Reiner family owns two houses across the street from each other; Rob and Michele lived in one, while a daughter and her children resided in the other.
Rob Reiner, the son of comedy legend Carl Reiner and singer Estelle Lebost, was known for major Hollywood films including “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally…,” “Stand By Me,” and “This is Spinal Tap,” among many others. He first rose to fame on the Norman Lear television sitcom “All in the Family.” The Lear family released a statement expressing their grief: “The Lear Family is devastated by the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner. Norman often referred to Rob as a son, and their close relationship was extraordinary, to us and the world.” Lyn Lear, also close to the Reiners, said, “The world is unmistakably darker tonight, and we are left bereft.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom addressed the tragedy, saying he is “heartbroken by the tragic loss.” He praised Reiner’s work, adding, “His boundless empathy made his stories timeless, teaching generations how to see goodness and righteousness in others – and encouraging us to dream bigger. Rob will be remembered for his remarkable filmography and for his extraordinary contribution to humanity.”
Reiner and Singer married in 1989 and shared three children: Jake, Nick, and Romy. Reiner was previously married to actor-director Penny Marshall from 1971 to 1981, adopting her daughter, Tracy Reiner. Carl Reiner passed away in 2020 at the age of 98, and Penny Marshall died in 2018.
Remembering Rob Reiner and Michele Singer
The sudden deaths of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer have left a profound impact on family, friends, and the entertainment community. As investigations continue, their legacy in film, television, and social advocacy will remain a significant part of American cultural history.
