The Los Angeles Police Department has placed a security hold on information relating to the grisly double murder of Rob Reiner and wife Michele Singer Reiner, for which their son Nick stands charged.
The department confirmed to NBC4 that though the Reiners’ causes of death “have already been made public,” LAPD wanted “to ensure detectives from Robbery-Homicide Division learned of important information surrounding their deaths before the media and the public. The order was not sought to undermine transparency.”
The Los Angeles County Office of Medical Examiner told the outlet that the medical examiner’s report is among the information now subject to the hold, which indefinitely prevents its release.
“The Department understands the public’s interest in these cases and remains committed to transparence when possible,” said the M.E.’s office. “Information will be made available once the court order is lifted.”
The “When Harry Met Sally” director, 78, and 70-year-old photographer — who also shared son Jake, 34, and 28-year-old daughter Romy — were fatally stabbed in their Brentwood home on Dec. 14. Son Nick, 32, was quickly taken into custody and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. He faces life in prison without parole or the death penalty, if convicted.
A police source confirmed to People earlier this month that Nick, who has long battled substance abuse, was in solitary confinement and on suicide watch, which might last for “a long time depending on his mental health.”
While Nick reportedly suffers from schizophrenia — medication for which is said to have made his “alarming” behavior more “erratic and dangerous” — he also admitted on a podcast in 2016 to having faked being “crazy” so he could get access to the antidepressant Wellbutrin.