Why Rob and Michele Reiner's autopsy is still not completed as son Nick pleads not guilty

Nick Reiner, the son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder after his parents' shock deaths in December.

The actor and filmmaker, 78, and the photographer, 68, were found dead from 'multiple sharp force injuries' in their home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, on 14 December.

At first, few details were released by the authorities, but it later emerged that the couple's son Nick, 32, had been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

The screenwriter was arrested around 14 miles from the crime scene and taken into custody, a few hours after his parents' bodies were discovered.

He's been held without bail since his arrest, and now, more than two months on, he's pleaded not guilty to both counts.

Prosecutors allege that he fatally stabbed his parents inside their Los Angeles home in the early morning hours of 14 December, before fleeing, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

Nick Reiner has pleaded not guilty to murdering his parents (Chris Torres-Pool/Getty Images)

If convicted, Reiner could face life in prison without parole or even the death penalty.

On February 23, Reiner’s lawyer, deputy public defender Kimberly Greene, entered the plea on his behalf as he stood behind glass in an enclosed custody area of a packed Los Angeles courtroom.

He appeared in court with a shaved head and talked to his lawyer briefly through the glass before the judge began the hearing.

During the hearing, he spoke only to answer yes when the judge asked if he waived his right for the next steps of the case to proceed speedily.

The judge told Reiner to return to court on 29 April for the scheduling of a preliminary hearing, where prosecutors will present evidence and a new judge will decide if it is enough for Reiner to go to trial.

However, one huge piece of evidence that's missing among the ongoing investigation is Rob and Michele's autopsy results.

According to PEOPLE, at Nick's arraignment, prosecutors said they're still awaiting completed autopsies of the couple.

It was previously revealed that a judge blocked the release of details from Rob and Michele's autopsy reports amid the ongoing investigation into their deaths.

Rob and Michele Reiner's autopsy reports have still not been revealed, following a court order (Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

A statement from the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner, published on 29 December, reads: "On December 24 at 10:30 am, the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner (Department) received a court order, initiated by the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), to place a security hold on Medical Examiner case numbers 2025-19480 and 2025-19481, Robert and Michele Reiner.

"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 statement continued: "No other case information or records, including the Medical Examiner report, can be released or posted on the website until further notice.

"The Department understands the public’s interest in these cases and remains committed to transparency when possible. Information will be made available once the court order is lifted."