Officers say a man, 78, and a woman, 68, were found dead inside the couple’s Brentwood home Sunday afternoon.
LOS ANGELES, CA — Police said Monday they are investigating the deaths of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, as a homicide after the couple were found inside their Brentwood home Sunday afternoon. Firefighters answered a medical aid call around 3:38 p.m., and officers later secured the residence and notified detectives.
Authorities said the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Bureau Homicide investigators are leading the case while the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner works to confirm identities and determine causes of death. Officials said preliminary information points to violent foul play. No arrests had been announced as of Monday morning, and investigators said they were still gathering video, forensics and witness accounts. The discovery stunned Hollywood and drew condolences from city leaders for a director and actor whose work shaped film and television for decades.
Police said first responders found two people, a man and a woman matching the ages of 78 and 68, unresponsive inside the home on the 250 block of Chadbourne Avenue in Brentwood shortly after the 3:38 p.m. call. Paramedics pronounced both dead at the scene. Detectives later sought a search warrant to document rooms, collect physical evidence and recover any security footage, according to officials familiar with the inquiry. Mayor Karen Bass called the deaths “a devastating loss for our city and our country,” and said the city would support the family and investigators. Police said they had not identified a suspect and urged anyone with information to contact homicide detectives.
Officials said the investigation remains in its early stages and that they are reviewing evidence from inside and around the residence, including potential signs of forced entry, any weapon recovery and electronic records. Detectives interviewed multiple people close to the family Sunday night and Monday, including at least one family member, according to law enforcement officials. The Medical Examiner’s office said autopsies are pending to establish causes and approximate time of death. Police declined to discuss specific injuries or how the couple may have been attacked, citing the active investigation. They said there was no immediate indication of a wider public safety threat tied to the case.
Reiner rose to fame as Michael “Meathead” Stivic on “All in the Family” before directing a string of influential films, including “This Is Spinal Tap,” “Stand by Me,” “The Princess Bride,” “When Harry Met Sally…” and “A Few Good Men.” He co-founded Castle Rock Entertainment and was an outspoken advocate on issues ranging from early childhood education to marriage equality. Michele Singer Reiner, a photographer and activist, worked with her husband on philanthropic efforts and creative projects over their three-decade marriage. The couple lived in Brentwood for years and were frequently seen at Los Angeles arts events. News of their deaths prompted remembrances across the industry Sunday night and Monday.
Police said they will coordinate with prosecutors once they have completed key steps, including processing the scene, gathering neighborhood camera footage and receiving autopsy results. Detectives are also seeking tips from anyone in the area of Chadbourne Avenue who may have seen unusual activity on Sunday afternoon. Authorities said any future briefings would be announced after major investigative milestones, such as the public confirmation of identities by the Medical Examiner and the recovery or identification of a weapon. A timeline for those updates was not immediately available Monday morning.
Neighbors described a heavy police presence for hours Sunday evening, with crime scene tape stretching across the quiet residential block. Several residents said officers canvassed door to door after dark, asking about noises, visitors or delivery vehicles earlier in the day. “It was eerie and very sad,” said Naomi Brooks, who lives nearby and said she occasionally saw the couple walking in the neighborhood. Outside the home, flowers began to appear along the sidewalk before sunrise Monday as fans and friends reacted to the news.
As of Monday, police said the inquiry remains open with no one in custody. Autopsy findings and any potential identification updates from the Medical Examiner are expected in the coming days. Investigators said they will release additional details when they can do so without compromising the case.
Author note: Last updated December 15, 2025.