Rob Reiner's son is arrested after director and his wife found dead

Nick Reiner has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of his parents, the director Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner.

- Catherine Shoard Ramon Antonio Vargas Sian Cain

The bodies of Reiner, who directed films including When Harry Met Sally, and his wife were found on Sunday afternoon at their home in Brentwood, Los Angeles.

Nick, 32, was taken into custody that night and his bail was set at $4m (£3m), jail records show.

Those records initially accused Nick of "gang activity" but did not elaborate. LA's police chief, Jim McDonnell, yesterday confirmed at a news briefing that Nick had been "booked for murder" in connection with his parents' killings.

A spokesperson for the Reiner family confirmed the couple's deaths on Sunday evening.

"It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner," a family spokesperson said in a statement to media. "We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time."

Nick was brought in for questioning shortly after the LA fire department responded to a call for medical aid at the couple's house at about 3.30pm local time.

On arrival, they found a man, 78, and a woman, 68, dead, who were later confirmed to be Rob and Michele. It is understood their daughter, Romy, who lives opposite, discovered their bodies.

Police later confirmed that detectives from the robbery homicide division were investigating the deaths as an "apparent homicide".