Crime
Nick Reiner Arrested and Charged in the Murders of Rob Reiner and His Wife Michele Singer Reiner
Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer Reiner, has been arrested and formally charged in connection with the deaths of his parents, authorities confirmed Monday.
Reiner is being held in the custody of the Los Angeles Police Department on $4 million bail, according to booking records.
Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 68, were found deceased Sunday afternoon inside their Brentwood residence on Chadbourne Avenue.
Law enforcement officials said the couple suffered fatal injuries consistent with knife wounds. The LAPDโs Robbery-Homicide Division has assumed control of the investigation.
Police were dispatched to the home shortly after 3:30 p.m. following a report of an โambulance death investigation.โ
According to investigators, one of the coupleโs daughters discovered the bodies and contacted authorities.
Detectives are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident, including whether an argument or other domestic dispute preceded the violence. Officials have not publicly disclosed a motive.
Nick Reiner was taken into custody and booked at an LAPD facility. Court documents list him as charged with murder; prosecutors have not released additional details regarding the evidence at this stage.
The case remains active, and investigators emphasize that all findings will be presented through the judicial process.
The deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner have prompted an outpouring of grief across the entertainment industry and beyond.
Longtime friends and collaborators, including Billy Crystal and Larry David, were seen at the home Sunday evening.
Public tributes have also been shared by figures such as former President Barack Obama, author Stephen King, and actor Ben Stiller.
Rob Reiner, the son of legendary comedian Carl Reiner, began his career as a writer in the 1960s before rising to prominence as an actor on All in the Family, earning two Primetime Emmy Awards.
He later became one of Hollywoodโs most influential directors, helming classics including This Is Spinal Tap, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sallyโฆ, Misery, A Few Good Men, The American President, and The Bucket List. He also appeared in recent television roles on New Girl and The Bear.
Rob and Michele Reiner married in 1989 and shared more than three decades together.
They are survived by their children Jake, Nick, and Romy, as well as Robโs daughter Tracy from his first marriage to director Penny Marshall.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation as the investigation proceeds.
Further information is expected to be released as the case moves through the court system.
PAWTUCKET, R.I. โ Authorities and family members have identified the victims killed in Mondayโs tragic shooting at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena as Rhonda Dorgan and her son, Aidan Dorgan.
The shooting occurred during a high school โSenior Nightโ hockey game and left two people dead and three others critically injured.
Police said the suspect, Robert K. Dorgan, 56, died at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound following the attack, which authorities have described as stemming from a family dispute.
In a statement shared by relatives, the Dorgan family described the profound loss they are now facing.
โOur family has been forever changed by the tragic events at Lynch Arena, where we lost our beloved brother Aidan and their mother Rhonda, who was also my stepmother,โ the statement read.
In addition to the deaths of Rhonda and Aidan, two grandparents remain hospitalized in critical condition and are fighting for their lives, according to family members.
Ava Dorgan, a nursing student, and Colin Dorgan, a 17-year-old high school senior, are now facing the future without their mother and older brother.
Family members described the emotional toll as overwhelming, particularly given their young ages.
โThe weight of this loss is something no one should ever have to bear,โ the family said. โDespite the pain, Ava and Colin are determined to continue their education and build lives that honor the memory of those we have lost.โ
Following the shooting, Ava Dorgan spoke briefly with reporters outside Pawtucket police headquarters, confirming that the gunman was her father.
โMy father was the shooter. He shot my family, and heโs dead now,โ she said. She described him as โmentally illโ and โvery sick,โ attributing the violence to long-standing mental health struggles.
Police Chief Tina Goncalves confirmed that the suspect also went by the name Roberta Esposito and stated that investigators are continuing to examine his background and the events leading up to the shooting.
The shooting erupted at approximately 2:30 p.m., roughly 30 minutes after the Senior Night game began.
The matchup featured a cooperative team comprised of Coventry and Johnston players competing against a co-op team including students from St. Raphael Academy, Providence Country Day School, North Providence, and North Smithfield.
Livestream footage captured multiple gunshots ringing out from the stands, sending players and spectators scrambling for safety.
Witnesses described a scene of panic as families fled the arena and sought shelter nearby.
Chief Goncalves said officers arrived within approximately 90 seconds of receiving the initial report of gunfire.
A bystander intervened during the incident and attempted to subdue the shooter, actions the chief credited with preventing further loss of life.
None of the players on the ice were physically injured, though many witnessed the violence firsthand.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is assisting local authorities in the ongoing investigation. Police have interviewed more than 100 witnesses and are asking anyone with additional video footage to come forward.
Court records indicate that Robert Dorgan had a history of family conflicts, some involving disputes related to gender identity.
In 2020, he reported to the North Providence Police Department that he had undergone gender reassignment surgery and alleged conflicts with extended family members following that decision.
Dorganโs divorce from Rhonda Dorgan was finalized in June 2021.
Initial divorce filings referenced gender reassignment surgery and personality traits before being amended to cite irreconcilable differences.
Authorities have not publicly identified a definitive motive beyond describing the shooting as the result of a family dispute.
Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien called the incident devastating for the community.
โWhat should have been a joyful occasion, with dozens of families, students and supporters gathered to celebrate Senior Night, was instead marked by violence and fear,โ Grebien said. โPawtucket is a strong and resilient community, but tonight we are a city in mourning.โ
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee also expressed condolences and encouraged anyone struggling in the aftermath to contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. State officials said additional mental health resources will be made available to students and families affected by the tragedy.
As the investigation continues, the Dorgan family says they are focusing on supporting one another and honoring the memory of Rhonda and Aidan.
โOur hearts are broken,โ the family said, โbut we will carry their love with us every day.โ