Eric Idle spoke to Rob Reiner just hours before his death

In a post on X, Idle wrote: "Rob Reiner was a lovely man. I spoke to him last night for over an hour. I always enjoyed his company.

"I met him at his Dad's in 1975. He was telling me about filming at Stonehenge and his thoughts for the future."

Idle added of the tragic news of Reiner's death: "This is so awful. I shall miss him. A clever, talented and very thoughtful man. So awful."

The couple's bodies were discovered at their home in Brentwood around 3pm on Sunday (14.12.235) and PEOPLE reports they were found by their 28-year-old daughter Romy.

A call was placed to emergency services and a team from the Los Angeles Fire Department found a man and woman dead at the scene.

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 at the Brentwood property as an "apparent homicide".

After the news became public, the couple's devastated 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."

The This Is Spinal Tap director had an adopted daughter, actress Tracy Reiner, from his marriage to Penny Marshall between 1971 and 1981, as well as three children, Jake, Nick and Romy, with his second wife Michele, who he met while he was making When Harry Met Sally ... and married in 1989.

Tracy has since shared her "shock" over the tragedy, telling NBC News: "I came from the greatest family ever. I don't know what to say. I'm in shock."