The younger son of filmmaker and political activist Rob Reiner made his first court appearance in Los Angeles on charges that he murdered his parents in their home over the weekend.
Nick Reiner, 32, appeared before a judge on Wednesday, though the arraignment was postponed until January 7 and no plea was entered.
Prosecutors allege that Reiner fatally stabbed his parents, Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Reiner, 70, during the early hours of Sunday in the Brentwood neighborhood of west Los Angeles.
The bodies were discovered later that afternoon, prompting an investigation that led to his arrest the same night.
Authorities said Nick Reiner was taken into custody without incident in a downtown Los Angeles park near the University of Southern California campus.
He was booked on suspicion of murder and remains held with bond at a downtown jail facility.
Prosecutors have charged him with two counts of first-degree murder, with a special circumstance alleging multiple murders.
The charges also include an allegation that a knife was used in the killings.
District Attorney Nathan Hochman said no decision has been made on whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty.
If convicted as charged, Reiner could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or a potential death sentence.
California maintains a moratorium on executions, though capital punishment remains legal under state law.
Officials have released few details about the circumstances surrounding the killings and have not identified a possible motive.
Autopsies are expected to determine the precise cause, manner, and time of death, according to authorities.
Asked whether the alleged murder weapon had been recovered, prosecutors said that information would be disclosed in court.
Nick Reiner has previously acknowledged a long struggle with drug addiction, including time spent in rehabilitation facilities and periods of homelessness.
Those experiences inspired the film Being Charlie, which he co-wrote with his father.
Rob Reiner was widely known for directing influential films across comedy and drama, while Michele Reiner worked as an actress, photographer, and producer.
The case has drawn widespread attention due to the family’s prominence and the unresolved questions surrounding the deaths.