Rob Reiner. Yonhap News

Director Rob Reiner, who directed the film ‘When Harry Met Sally,’ widely regarded as a defining romantic comedy of the 1980s, has died in a tragic incident.

According to CNN on the 14th (local time), a spokesperson for Reiner’s family said in a statement, “We regret to share the tragic news that director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michelle, have died.” The exact cause of death has not been disclosed, but the Los Angeles (LA) police are treating the case as a clear homicide and have launched an investigation.

LA fire authorities were dispatched to Reiner’s residence in an upscale neighborhood of LA at around 3:30 p.m. that day after receiving a request for medical assistance. Upon arrival, firefighters discovered two bodies inside the home, after which the case was turned over to the police.

The U.S. magazine People reported that Reiner’s son Nick (32) is under suspicion of killing his parents. Nick is currently being questioned by the LA police.

Born in 1947, Reiner made his film-industry debut in 1984 with the mockumentary ‘This Is Spinal Tap.’ The work has since been regarded as a cult classic and helped make his name.

He went on to present a string of hits and buzzy titles across genres, including ‘When Harry Met Sally,’ ‘Misery,’ and ‘A Few Good Men,’ establishing himself as one of Hollywood’s leading directors. In particular, ‘When Harry Met Sally’ is still cited as one of the greatest romantic comedies.

Meanwhile, this year Reiner released a sequel to his debut, ‘This Is Spinal Tap,’ and continued to work actively.