Nick Reiner faces murder—Perez lawyer fights custody, Watts wedding

**Nick Reiner Indicted for Parents’ Murders; Mother Seeks Custody;

Chris Watts Plans Marriage**

A court filing released on August 11, 2026 confirmed that actor Nick Reiner has been indicted on two counts of first‑degree murder for the deaths of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner. The indictment comes nearly eight months after the pair were found fatally stabbed in their Brentwood home.

Reiner pleaded not guilty to each charge, with special circumstances alleging multiple murders and murder by means of lying in wait.

In a separate development, Perez Hilton’s mother, Teresita Lavandeira, filed for temporary custody of the blogger’s three children on Friday, August 7. Hilton voluntarily consented to the filing while hospitalized.

Hilton’s attorney, Natalie Guerra‑Valdes, stated that protecting the children is the family’s primary concern following last week’s traumatic events.

Meanwhile, Chris Watts, who is serving a life sentence for the 2018 killings of his pregnant wife Shanann and their two daughters, has announced plans to marry Lizzie Henderson. Henderson relocated from Ohio to Wisconsin to be near Watts and applied in September 2025 to legally change her name to Lizzie Watts.

Together, these stories illustrate a week of legal turbulence for three high‑profile individuals, each facing complex court proceedings that could reshape their personal and public lives.

## Background & Context

The indictment against Nick Reiner stems from a series of investigations that began in late 2025 when Reiner’s parents were discovered dead in their Brentwood residence. The crime scene was reported as a fatal stabbing, prompting a swift law enforcement response. In August, prosecutors filed the first‑degree murder charges, .

Reiner’s defense has entered not‑guilty pleas on both counts, setting the stage for a trial that could last several months.

Perez Hilton’s custody request follows a series of personal upheavals that came to light earlier this month. The filing was submitted in Los Angeles Superior Court, with Hilton’s mother seeking temporary guardianship over the three children.

Hilton, who had been hospitalized at the time, agreed to the motion, indicating a collaborative approach between mother and son. Attorneys emphasize that the request aims to safeguard the children amid recent family distress, though specific allegations prompting the action were not disclosed in court documents.

Chris Watts’ relationship with Lizzie Henderson has progressed since her move to Wisconsin. Henderson’s application to change her name to Lizzie Watts in September 2025 was approved by state authorities, signifying a formal legal bond that precedes their announced marriage.

While Watts remains incarcerated on a life sentence for the murders of his wife Shanann and two daughters, he has expressed an intention to marry Henderson, who reportedly plans to relocate permanently to be near him.

No court action has yet mandated a hearing or approval for the marriage, but the couple’s plans have attracted media attention.

## What Happens Next

Nick Reiner will face arraignment on August 12, 2026, where he will be formally presented with the murder charges and enter a plea. Prosecutors have indicated that trial proceedings could commence as early as early 2027, pending pre‑trial motions and discovery.

The case will likely involve forensic evidence from the Brentwood residence and testimony from investigators who led the original homicide investigation.

Perez Hilton’s temporary custody filing is scheduled for a hearing on September 1, 2026. During this session, court officials will review evidence presented by both Hilton’s mother and his attorneys to determine whether the children should be placed under temporary guardianship.

Should the court grant the request, Hilton and his mother would gain legal authority over the children until a final custody determination is made. The family has not yet released a statement regarding the potential outcome.

Chris Watts’ marriage plans with Lizzie Henderson are pending approval from a Wisconsin court that oversees marriages involving incarcerated individuals. The couple’s next step will be to submit an application to the county clerk’s office, which will evaluate whether state statutes allow the marriage under current prison regulations.

If approved, the wedding could proceed in a prison facility or an approved external venue, though the timeline for this process remains unclear.

These proceedings underscore how legal frameworks and court schedules dictate the next phases for each individual, as they navigate complex situations that intersect personal decisions with statutory requirements.