Payam Javan: The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has officially confirmed that legendary filmmaker Rob Reiner, 78, and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, 70, died from multiple sharp force injuries. The couple was discovered Sunday afternoon at their Brentwood home following an early-morning attack. Authorities arrested their 32-year-old son, Nick Reiner, on Sunday evening near the University of Southern California; he reportedly did not resist arrest.

Nick Reiner made his initial court appearance on Wednesday, appearing in shackles and a suicide prevention smock. He is charged with two counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances, including the use of a knife. While he has not yet entered a plea, a judge has postponed his arraignment to January 7. If convicted, Reiner faces life in prison without parole or the death penalty, though the District Attorney’s Office has yet to decide on pursuing the latter.

The legal proceedings feature high-profile representation on both sides. Nick Reiner is represented by Alan Jackson, a prominent defense attorney known for his work with Harvey Weinstein and Karen Read. Jackson has urged the public to avoid a “rush to judgment” during this family tragedy. Leading the prosecution is Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian, who recently handled the Robert Durst trial and the Menendez brothers’ resentencing case.

In a joint statement released Wednesday, Rob and Michele’s other children, Jake and Romy Reiner, expressed “unimaginable pain” over the loss of their parents, whom they described as their best friends. Rob Reiner, an Emmy-winning actor and iconic director of films such as When Harry Met Sally, had been married to Michele, a photographer and producer, for over 35 years. The family has requested privacy as the investigation into a motive continues.