It’s a portrait of bravery and heartbreak.
As sun breaks the stormy weather that battered the California coast this past week, Romy Reiner has been pictured stepping out for the first time since the murder of her parents.
The Daily Mail’s world exclusive images captured the daughter of director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele at a beach house surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, as they quietly marked Romy’s 28th birthday.
The solemn day comes just a fortnight after the Reiners were stabbed to death at their Brentwood, Los Angeles home. Their son Nick Reiner, 32, has been charged with their murders.
Romy – who is being supported by her other brother Jake, 34, the late couple’s eldest and third child – made the tragic discovery of her parents’ deaths on Sunday, December 14.
The Daily Mail previously reported that Romy, who usually lives across the road from her parents in Brentwood, has since taken shelter at a Southern California beach house, along with her boyfriend Alex Silberberg, Jake and his partner Maria Gilfillan, and her maternal aunts, Suzanne Singer and Martine Weinstock.
Romy (right) was seen for the first time since the death of her parents on Saturday, her 28th birthday
Romy stepped outside the Southern California beach house with two friends
Silberberg, meanwhile, was seen taking a walk along the beach with Romy’s dog, Billie, on Saturday
On Instagram, Romy has shared photos with filmmaker Silberberg
Romy is pictured with her dog, Billie, and Silberberg
The new photos also captured a barefoot Silberberg, 29, walking Romy’s dog, Billie, along the beach.
It’s a clear sign that he, like Jake, has become an emotional lynchpin for his traumatized girlfriend. Jake, a source previously said, has stepped into a ‘paternalistic role’ in the wake of the tragedy.
‘His motto is “family first.” That’s something Rob and Michele had always prioritized and taught their children,’ the source said.
‘They all felt it was really important to come together as a family for the festive week and to mark Romy’s birthday, however subdued the celebrations.’
Romy appeared to be enjoying the comforting presence of two female friends on Saturday as they stood on the beachfront and chatted.
Her friend group is close and includes sisters Belle and Stella Aykroyd, daughters to actor Dan Aykroyd, whom she has known since high school, as well as actor Patrick Schwarzenegger (son of Arnold).
Elsewhere, Jake was seen out with Gilfillan, 29, wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers cap and navy button down. The couple held hands as they walked through a parking lot, a moment of normalcy amid the turmoil now engulfing their lives.
Through it all, Jake is said to have become the ‘glue’ holding his shellshocked family together.
According to our inside source, he is ‘determined to get his sister through this.’
‘It’s an enormous burden, but he’s the oldest and he sees it as his duty,’ the source added.
The two siblings are planning an upcoming memorial service expected to draw many of their famous father’s friends in the entertainment industry.
An insider previously told the Daily Mail that Jake (left) is the ‘glue’ holding his family together after the tragedy
Jake and Gilfillan pictured leaving breakfast on Sunday morning
The couple were first seen since the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner in exclusive Daily Mail photos last week while grabbing coffee
The siblings, who are planning the memorial service for their parents, described the ‘unimaginable pain’ they are experiencing in a joint statement this month
Records show that the When Harry Met Sally director and his photographer wife died on December 14, the same day they were discovered by Romy at their $13.5 million mansion at around 3.30pm.
Both of their deaths have been ruled homicides, with the place of death listed as their residence.
Death certificates, released by the LA County Medical Examiner’s office last week, revealed that the couple died from ‘multiple sharp force injuries’ caused ‘with a knife, by another.’
Nick Reiner was arrested at around 9pm on December 14 and was later charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the killings of his 78-year-old father and 70-year-old mother.
If convicted, Nick could face the death penalty.
He made a brief court appearance on December 17, wearing an anti-suicide vest, where he did not enter a plea. His defense attorney, Alan Jackson, asked the judge for a continuance, saying that he ‘needed more time’ to prepare his case.
Nick’s arraignment has been pushed to January 7 and he is being held without bail.
In a joint statement, Jake and Romy described their ‘unimaginable pain’ and asked for ‘respect and privacy.’
‘Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day,’ they said.
‘The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience.
‘They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends. We are grateful for the outpouring of condolences, kindness, and support we have received not only from family and friends but people from all walks of life.’
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