Nick Reiner, son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner, 'responsible' for parents' deaths

A son of film director Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner has been arrested and booked on suspicion of murder after the couple were found dead in their Los Angeles home.

The death of the Emmy-winning Hollywood legend sent shock waves across the film industry.

But it was a statement from US President Donald Trump regarding Reiner's death that triggered swift and bipartisan backlash for injecting politics into a family tragedy.

Here's what we know.

How did Reiner and his wife die?

Calls about the tragedy first came into the LA Fire Department at 3:30pm (local time) on Sunday.

First responders who arrived at the home said they found a man and woman dead inside — the victims were later identified as Rob, 78, and Michele Reiner, 68.

There was no sign of forced entry at the Reiners' property on Chadbourne Avenue in Brentwood, Los Angeles.

According to multiple US reports, the bodies were found by their youngest daughter, Romy.

At 9:15pm, nearly six hours after the couple's bodies were found, their 32-year-old son Nick was arrested.

At 5am on Monday, the LA Police Department said in a statement that Nick was "responsible" for the death of his parents and that the Reiners were "the victims of homicide".

Authorities have not elaborated on how investigators determined Nick was responsible.

A cause of death has also not officially been released.

But a law enforcement official told The Associated Press (AP) that investigators believe the pair were stabbed.

Nick is being held without bail, after it was initially set at $US4 million ($6 million).

Who is Nick Reiner?

Nick Reiner is the middle son of the family.

In his teens, he struggled with drug addiction and bouts of homelessness. He said he had at least 17 stays in rehab facilities.

In 2015, Nick teamed up with his father to make a semi-autobiographical film called Being Charlie.

It was inspired by Nick's years-long battle with heroin addiction and the impact of substance abuse on a family, particularly the father-son relationship.

Both said the project brought them closer.

"We didn't go into it thinking this is going to be therapeutic or bring us closer, but it did come out that way," Rob Reiner told the AP.

"It forced us to understand ourselves better than we had. I told Nick while we were making it, I said, 'You know it doesn't matter, whatever happens to this thing, we won already. This has already been good.'"

Nick's most recent public appearance with his father was in September, when the director was photographed with his family on the red carpet for the premiere of Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.

Speaking to the New York Post about the homicide, a longtime neighbour of the Reiners said Nick was known for being violent.

"This is not the first time their son has been violent," the neighbour, who declined to give his name, said.

"I know of another incident a few years back with Nick, but I won't say more than that. I just never thought it would ever get to this point.

"Rob was always heartbroken that his son couldn't beat his addiction."

Local media also reported that Nick had been spotted arguing with his parents on Saturday night at a holiday party hosted by comedian Conan O'Brien.

Trump seizes on Reiner's death to attack him

Posting on Truth Social, Mr Trump suggested the director's death stemmed from "Trump derangement syndrome".

"[Reiner died] reportedly due to the anger he caused others through his massive, unyielding, and incurable affliction with a mind crippling disease known as TRUMP DERANGEMENT SYNDROME," he wrote.

"He was known to have driven people CRAZY by his raging obsession of President Donald J. Trump, with his obvious paranoia reaching new heights as the Trump Administration surpassed all goals and expectations of greatness."

He prefaced his allegations by saying the killings were "a very sad thing".

The attack sparked outrage amongst many, even from some fellow Republicans.

"Regardless of how you felt about Rob Reiner, this is inappropriate and disrespectful discourse about a man who was just brutally murdered," Representative Thomas Massie, Republican of Kentucky, wrote on social media.

"This is a family tragedy, not about politics or political enemies," Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, Republican of Georgia, said.

"This is a dreadful thing to say," Piers Morgan wrote on X, calling on Mr Trump to delete the post.

Mr Trump even defended his post about Reiner later on when asked in the Oval Office, describing the director as a "deranged person".

Specifically, he accused Reiner of being "behind" the Russia "hoax".

"I was not a fan of Rob Reiner at all, in any way, shape or form.

"I thought he was very bad for our country," he said.

Reiner was a vocal critic of Mr Trump, whom he once branded as "mentally unfit" and “the single most unqualified human being to ever assume the presidency of the United States”.

Along with being one of the most celebrated filmmakers in Hollywood, Reiner was also a political activist.

He supported Democratic candidate John Kerry in 2004 in the presidential election.

He later threw his support behind Al Gore and Hillary Clinton in subsequent elections.

Reiner also fought for marriage equality in California, co-founding a group that funded the legal challenge to Proposition 8, a ballot measure to revoke gay marriage.

Tributes for beloved director

News of the homicide of the film-maker behind When Harry Met Sally, Stand By Me, The Princess Bride and This is Spinal Tap shocked Hollywood.

At Reiner's Walk of Fame star, some fans stopped by to pay tribute with flowers.

Spinal Tap star Christopher Guest and his wife Jamie Lee Curtis said they were "numb".

Former US president Barack Obama said he and his wife Michelle were "heartbroken".

Stephen King, whose books provided the basis for both Misery and Stand By Me, said he was "horrified and saddened".

"Wonderful friend, political ally, and brilliant filmmaker [including 2 of mine]," he wrote.

"Rest in peace, Rob. You always stood by me."

Frozen actor Josh Gad described Reiner as "one of the greatest directors of our time".

"Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle were two of the most kind and caring souls you could ever imagine. He cared so much for those who had no voices," he added.

Maria Shriver, an American journalist and the former first lady of California, said the couple had been among her closest friends.

"We laughed together, cried together, played together, dreamed together. We had dinner this past week, and they were in the best place in their lives."