Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner’s cause of death has been released hours after their children broke their silence on the loss of their “best friends”.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed the couple, who were found dead in their Brentwood home on Sunday, had been killed by “multiple sharp force injuries”.

It is believed the pair had been stabbed to death several hours before they were discovered in their bedroom, according to People.

Nick Reiner, the Reiners’ 32-year-old son, was charged with two counts of murder later that evening, with an additional “special allegation” he used a knife as a dangerous and deadly weapon.

His siblings Jake and Romy Reiner released a statement today but made no mention of their brother, the New York Post reported.

“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 from people of all walks of life.

“We now ask for respect and privacy, for speculation to be tempered with compassion and humanity, and for our parents to be remembered for the incredible lives they lived and the love they gave,”

According to the New York Times, Romy found her father dead after receiving a call from her parents’ massage therapist informing her the couple were not responding.

The source said Romy told responding officers her middle brother also lived on the property in a guesthouse.

Nick Reiner appeared in the Los Angeles Superior Court today but did not make any pleas in relation to the charges, the New York Post reported.

His lawyer Alan Jackson told reporters outside the court the murders were “a devastating tragedy” for the Reiner family, requesting media not to “rush with judgment”.

“There are very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case. These need to be thoroughly but very carefully dealt with and examined and looked at and analysed.”

Nick Reiner faces the possibility of the death penalty if convicted, though the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said the “thoughts and desires of the family” will be taken into consideration.

Rob was a celebrated Hollywood director, helming classics such as 1987’s The Princess Bride and 1984’s This is Spinal Tap, while Michele was a photographer and producer.