Barack and Michelle Obama 'heartbroken' by deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife Michele

WASHINGTON, DC: Former President Barack Obama took to X (formerly Twitter) to pay tribute to Rob and Michele Reiner after the couple was found dead in their Los Angeles home on Sunday, December 14.

On Sunday, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) was called to a home to provide medical aid, and upon arrival, they found a man, 78, and a woman, 68, dead. They were later confirmed to be Rob and Michele Reiner.

Obama says Rob and Michele 'lived lives defined by purpose'

Barack Obama took to X and wrote, "Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele. Rob’s achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen."

"But beneath all of the stories he produced was a deep belief in the goodness of people—and a lifelong commitment to putting that belief into action," the former president added.

He also mentioned, "Together, he and his wife lived lives defined by purpose. They will be remembered for the values they championed and the countless people they inspired. We send our deepest condolences to all who loved them." 

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) confirmed on Sunday that detectives from the robbery homicide division were investigating the deaths as an "apparent homicide." Outlets such as TMZ and People reported that the two had suffered wounds consistent with a knife attack.

A spokesperson for the Reiner family confirmed the deaths and said in a statement to the media, "It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner."

"We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time," they added. 

Meanwhile, LAPD chief detective Alan Hamilton said on Sunday night, "At this time, the LAPD is not seeking anyone as a suspect or as a person of interest ... and we will not be doing that until we conduct our investigation and we move forward."

He added that the Reiners’ family members would be interviewed, but that "no one has been detained. No one is being questioned as a suspect."

Rob Reiner met Michele while filming 'When Harry Met Sally'

Rob Reiner married Michele Reiner, a professional photographer, in 1989. They went on to welcome three children — Nick, Jake, and Romy.

The pair first met while Rob was working on the Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal-starrer 'When Harry Met Sally' — a project that went on to become one of his most iconic films and one of the most popular Hollywood rom-coms. 

Rob was married to filmmaker and actor Penny Marshall between 1971 and 1981. They later parted ways, and Penny died in 2018 at the age of 75 following complications from diabetes.

Rob rose to national fame as an actor for playing Mike "Meathead" Stivic on the iconic CBS sitcom 'All in the Family' (1971–1979). The show earned him two Primetime Emmy Awards.