Nick Reiner charged with murder of his parents Rob and Michele

Prosecutors in Los Angeles have filed murder charges against Nick Reiner over the deaths of his parents, Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele.

Nick Reiner is facing two counts of first-degree murder with a special circumstance alleging multiple murders, District Attorney Nathan Hochman said.

He could be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole or the death penalty if found guilty. He will be brought to court to formally face charges and enter a plea after he is medically cleared by prison officials, Mr Hochman said.

The charges came two days after the couple were found dead in their home in Brentwood, California, with multiple stab wounds.

The charges also include a "special allegation" that Reiner used a knife.

During a news conference on Tuesday, Mr Hochman said no decision had been made about whether prosecutors would seek the death penalty.

The suspect, 32, was also accused of using a "dangerous and deadly weapon, that being a knife".

He was expected to appear before a judge later on Tuesday for an arraignment hearing, where he would have been formally charged. The district attorney later said it would be scheduled for a later date.

Rob Reiner directed a handful of iconic films in a variety of genres, including This is Spinal Tap, Misery and A Few Good Men.

Michele Singer Reiner was an actress, photographer and producer, and the founder of Reiner Light, a photography agency and production company.

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LA Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell told the news conference: "This case is heartbreaking and deeply personal, not only for the Reiner family and their loved ones, but for the entire city."

"We extend our deepest condolences to everyone affected by this tragedy."

Asked whether the murder weapon was recovered, Mr Hochman said that would be revealed in court.

Officials said autopsies, which have to be completed, would determine the precise cause, manner and times of death.

Director Reiner's other major works included Stand By Me, The Princess Bride and When Harry Met Sally.

Billy Crystal, who played Harry in the seminal romantic comedy, was one of many actors, writers and directors - who were close to the Reiners - paying their respects in a joint statement shared with the Associated Press.

Curb Your Enthusiasm star Larry David, Martin Short and Albert Brooks also put their names to the statement, which remembered Rob and Michele as "a special force together-dynamic, unselfish and inspiring".

"Absorbing all he had learned from his father Carl and his mentor Norman Lear, Rob Reiner not only was a great comic actor, he became a master story teller," the statement read.

"There is no other director who has his range. From comedy to drama to 'mockumentary' to documentary he was always at the top of his game. He charmed audiences. They trusted him. They lined up to see his films."

It continued: "Rob was also a passionate, brave citizen, who not only cared for this country he loved, he did everything he could to make it better and with his loving wife Michele, he had the perfect partner."

It went on to note how the "strong and determined" couple had "devoted a great deal of their lives for the betterment of our fellow citizens.

"They were a special force together-dynamic, unselfish and inspiring. We were their friends, and we will miss them forever."