Michele Reiner’s Sister Speaks Out as New Award Honors Her and Rob Reiner

Michele Reiner’s sister Martine Singer has spoken publicly about the killings of Reiner and her husband, director Rob Reiner, as the Los Angeles nonprofit she leads prepares to honor the couple with a new award bearing their names.

Children’s Institute will present the inaugural Michele and Rob Reiner Champion for Change Award to Jamie Lee Curtis on November 8, 2026, at its Cape & Gown Gala in Beverly Hills. The award recognizes the Reiners’ work on behalf of children, families and other causes, and Singer said it was created to carry their legacy forward.

Singer, the organization’s president and CEO, described the loss as one that has permanently changed the family. In her first public comments since the couple’s deaths, she compared grief to a wound that may heal but leaves a lasting scar.

She also said family members are coping in different ways and described taking on a deeply protective role toward her niece and nephew, Jake and Romy Reiner. Singer said she cannot replace their mother but considers them her own children and remains closely involved in their lives.

Rob and Michele Reiner were found fatally stabbed December 14, 2025, at their Brentwood home. Their son Nick Reiner was later indicted on two counts of murder, with special-circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder by means of lying in wait. Prosecutors also allege that he personally used a knife.

Nick Reiner has pleaded not guilty. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced September 15, 2026, that prosecutors will not seek the death penalty, leaving life in prison without the possibility of parole as the maximum sentence if he is convicted as charged.

Jake and Romy Reiner have also become involved in the court proceedings surrounding the case. Both have opposed the public release of grand jury transcripts containing evidence from the investigation, according to prosecutors, who said the siblings believe disclosure would cause additional trauma.

Singer said Michele and Rob had long supported her work at Children’s Institute and described them as generous and deeply committed to public service. Curtis, a longtime friend of the family, was selected as the first recipient of the award because of her own work supporting children, families and charitable causes.

Nick Reiner is scheduled to return to Los Angeles County Superior Court on October 7, 2026, for a motions hearing that is expected to address whether grand jury materials should remain sealed. No trial date has been set, and prosecutors have said they do not expect the case to go to trial before 2027.