Sister of slain Michele Reiner reflects on loss, family and continuing a legacy of service
As she leads one of Southern California’s largest children’s nonprofits, Martine Singer is carrying on with her work while mourning the loss of her sister, Michele Reiner, who was killed alongside her husband, filmmaker Rob Reiner, in their home.
“I'm functioning. I went right back to work in January, as best I could. But it's always there. It's always in my mind and in my heart,” Singer said.
Singer recently reflected on memories of her sister, describing a close bond that shaped her childhood.
“I always idolized her to be honest. She was beautiful, she was funny. She was kind of brash,” Singer said. “And I just thought she was the coolest thing in the world.”
She also recalled the music that filled their home growing up.
“All of her records were so cool, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, Otis Redding, Eric Clapton, you name it. So that's sort of the soundtrack of growing up,” she said.
Singer said she learned of the tragedy through a phone call from a relative.
“She said something terrible has happened, and you've got to get over there, and it was probably the longest car ride of my life,” Singer said.
Michele Reiner and Rob Reiner were found stabbed to death in their Brentwood home in December 2025. Their son, Nick, has been accused in the killings and has pleaded not guilty. Singer said she has not been in contact with him.
When asked whether she would say anything to her nephew if he reached out, Singer replied, “I appreciate the question, I'm not sure I can answer that.”
As she navigates her profound loss, Singer said it remains difficult to speak about her sister and brother-in-law in the past tense.
“They were a force field. They really were. They were magnetic, charismatic. They were funny and loud and boisterous, and the world seems very empty without them,” she said.
Singer said the couple devoted themselves to charitable and public-service efforts, often driven by Michele Reiner’s passion for helping others.
“Rob, in his self-deprecating way, used to have this joke. He'd say 'If it wasn't for Michele, I'd be doing this,'” Singer said, recalling how he would mimic using a remote control and joke that he would have been a couch potato.
The Reiners fought for marriage equality and led the ballot measure that created First 5 California. It was their interest in helping young under-served kids that led the Reiners to be big supporters of the Children’s Institute, which has been headed by Singer for the last 10 years. With a staff of 900 people and a budget of $100 million, it operates three campuses in Los Angeles and Long Beach.
“We work in communities that historically have been very marginalized, where there is intergenerational poverty,” Singer said.
The organization provides child care, preschool programs, mental health services, health clinics and parenting classes, among other services.
Rob and Michele Reiner are gone, but their work continues with Singer at the helm. While she continues that work, Singer also has taken on a larger role in supporting her late sister’s family. During an earlier interview, Rob and Michele Reiner’s oldest son, Jake, praised his aunt for her support.
“Martine has stepped into this maternal role for both Romy and myself like you wouldn't believe,” he said.
Singer said she does not see herself as a replacement for her sister.
“I'll never be Michele, you know. We're different people and I can't fill that hole in their lives but I'll do whatever I can to try to help them and support them and guide them if they want it,” she said.
Asked whether Michele would be proud of her, Singer responded, “Yeah. She was proud of me.”
When asked whether she was proud of her sister, Singer answered simply: “Very.”
