Authorities investigating the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner have moved to temporarily lock down critical records as the homicide case continues to unfold behind the scenes.
Medical examiner files tied to the high-profile investigation have been sealed under a court order requested by the Los Angeles Police Department, according to PEOPLE.
The order places a “security hold” on all related records, preventing their public release until further notice.
The move blocks the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office from posting or releasing any additional information connected to the case, including the full medical examiner’s report. Police said the request was made so detectives could review sensitive details before they became public.
In a statement to NBC 4, which first reported the development, the LAPD said investigators wanted to receive “important information” about the deaths “before the media and the public.”
The Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Monday, Dec. 29, that it received the court order early on Dec. 24.
“While the cause and manner of death were previously released on these cases, due to the court order, the information is no longer available,” the office said. “No other case information or records, including the Medical Examiner report, can be released or posted on the website until further notice.”
Officials emphasized that the restriction is temporary.
“The Department understands the public’s interest in these cases and remains committed to transparency when possible,” the statement added. “Information will be made available once the court order is lifted.”
The order itself limits “the public release of any investigative information, notes, reports, or photos” to anyone other than assigned investigators.
“The causes of death of Mr. and Mrs. Reiner have already been made public,” the department said. “The order was sought only to ensure detectives from the Robbery-Homicide Division learned of important information surrounding their deaths before the media and the public. The order was not sought to undermine transparency.”
According to death certificates, Rob Reiner was discovered first at approximately 3:45 p.m. local time, with Michele Reiner found one minute later. Michele is listed as “widowed” on the document.
The Medical Examiner’s Office had previously released the causes of death on Dec. 17.
Their son, Nick Reiner, 32, was arrested several hours after the bodies were found on Sunday, Dec. 14. He faces two counts of first-degree murder and is being held without bail.
Nick made a brief court appearance on Dec. 17, shackled and wearing a blue anti-suicide smock. His attorney, Alan Jackson, declined to enter a plea, and his arraignment is scheduled for Jan. 7. Multiple reports indicate Nick was being treated for schizophrenia before the killings.
Rob and Michele met while he was directing When Harry Met Sally and married in 1989. They shared three children — Nick, Romy, and Jake — and Rob also adopted his daughter Tracy during his first marriage to Penny Marshall.
In a statement released Dec. 17, Romy and Jake said, “Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day.”
