Kathy Bates is "horrified" by the "terrible news" of Rob Reiner's death

In a statement given to NBC News, Bates, 77, said: "I'm horrified hearing this terrible news. Absolutely devastated. I loved Rob.

"He was brilliant and kind, a man who made films of every genre to challenge himself as an artist. He also fought courageously for his political beliefs. He changed the course of my life."

Bates won a Best Actress Oscar for her role as Annie Wilkes in Reiner's 1990 adaptation of Stephen King's novel and she also acted alongside him in 1998's Primary Colors, which won her another Academy Award nomination.

She went on to praise the director's wife, adding: "Michele was a gifted photographer. She shot my beautiful photos for the Misery campaign. My heart breaks for them both. My thoughts are with their family."

PEOPLE reports the Los Angeles Fire Department was called to the couple's home at around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoon to provide medical aid, but found the pair already deceased.

The Los Angeles Police Department later confirmed the investigation into the tragedy is being led by the robbery homicide division who are treating the deaths as an "apparent homicide".

The couple's family shared the sad loss in a statement, which read: "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."

Law enforcement sources told TMZ.com the victims at the Brentwood house suffered lacerations "consistent with a knife [attack]" however, LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton insisted officers have yet to identify a suspect. Speaking at a press conference, he said: "We have not identified a suspect at this time. No one has been detained."

Since news of the couple's death became public, tributes have flooded in from stars across Hollywood.

John Cusack, who appeared in Reiner's 1985 comedy The Sure Thing, wrote in a post on X: "Shocked by the death of Rob Reiner - a great man."

Actor Josh Gad posted: "He was one of the greatest directors of our time. He was a friend. He was simply a beautiful person. Rob Reiner and his wife Michelle were two of the kindest and caring souls you could ever imagine."

Cobra Kai star Paul Walter Hauser mourned the director's loss and dec lared his 1992 courtroom drama A Few Good Men was one of the reasons he chose a career in acting. He wrote: "[A Few Good Men was ] THE reason I became an actor, and Rob's filmography behind the camera is THE reason I wanted to direct and still do."

Jerry O'Connell - who starred in Reiner's coming-of-age drama Stand By Me - shared a picture from the film's set and wrote: "Love you, Rob."

As well as directing, Reiner also enjoyed a career as an actor, rising to fame in TV show All in the Family.

Relatives of All in the Family's creator Norman Lear - who died in 2023 - said in a statement: "The Lear Family is devastated by the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner. Norman often referred to Rob as a son, and their close relationship was extraordinary, to us and the world.

"Norman would have wanted to remind us that Rob and Michele spent every breath trying to make this country a better place."