CA - Murder victims Identified as Rob Reiner and wife Michele - LA Dec 14 2025

[lohrtabitha]

I think so, and has been mentioned since the beginning, the fact that he waited until they were asleep seems to indicate that he knew he had to wait until they were helpless.

IMO that shows a sense of understanding what he was doing, and the planning that had to go into it. Nighttime, get a knife, leave while it’s dark—he knew.

IMO

I don't think anyone can deny NR was a very ill person

But I suppose is it a question of did he know what he did was wrong

Isn't that what a NGRI boils down to ?

Having a shower and changing out of his clothes and heading out in his car ,going to the garage to buy a drink indicates to me a lack of emotional connection to what he had done

But is concealing a weapon indicating that despite a lack of emotional connect he knew it was wrong and he could get into trouble for killing his parents

Concealing a weapon can be a part of mental illness . The paranoia kicks in. Serial killer Israel Keys did this . Here is a medical journal entry on this. Serial killing in schizophrenia - PMC

 

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2012265779065241650

"Nick Reiner was put under a yearlong mental health conservatorship in 2020,
an arrangement
that will likely take center stage in his defense against charges for the murder of his parents.

The placement
— designed for people with serious mental illnesses who are found to be 'gravely disabled'
and typically originate after noncompliance with treatment —
is known for allowing involuntary psychiatric care.

The conservatorship, designed to last for a limited time, ended in 2021, according to the report."

 

[Chimera]

I agree.
As was reported NR was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Very severe mental illness.
And it is a well known fact
that changing meds is very dangerous time
due to a high risk of serious consequences, especially a relapse of psychosis.

This is why any changes must be done cautiously under close medical supervision.

JMO

Stopping and switching antipsychotic drugs

australianprescriber.tg.org.au

Emphasis mine.
Agreed.
This is why it sounds like the parents who tried to get him help were in turn, rebuffed by Nick ?
If he even took the meds properly as prescribed, any outside drug-taking may have made his rage worse ?
He was given more help than many whose parents lack the financial capital to afford the best treatment, which is galling to me.

Not only did he not embrace the programs the parents provided for him --- he made fun of them, and was proud, that he got around the programs, which clearly is a personality disorder ?
His behavior towards his own family is deeply heartbreaking.
Jmo.

 

[Dotta]

"Reiner was placed in an LPS conservatorship
-- a type of conservatorship initiated by a doctor
which usually follows an involuntary psychiatric hospitalization --
sometime in 2020.

This is a different kind of conservatorship than the ones celebs like Britney Spears underwent.

An LPS (Lanterman-Petris-Short)
conservatorship typically lasts one year,
but the conservator is allowed to file for a renewal.

It's unclear why Nick's conservatorship wasn't renewed after the initial one-year term.
It ended in 2021, according to the NYT,
citing the clerk."

Nick Reiner Placed Into Mental Health Conservatorship in 2020

Nick Reiner was placed into a mental health conservatorship for one year, which may have resulted from an involuntary psychiatric hospitalization ... according to The New York Times.

www.tmz.com

 

[Chimera]

Concealing a weapon can be a part of mental illness . The paranoia kicks in. Serial killer Israel Keys did this . Here is a medical journal entry on this. Serial killing in schizophrenia - PMC

Bbm.
There are different opinions on Nick's actions that night and that's understandable.
My view on his hiding the knife is that he knew very well that what he did was wrong, and not necessarily mentally ill but even if so -- he had the wherewithal to know he was in trouble for what he did.
It appears that he knew it was wrong.
It's heartbreaking for his parents who must have known who was doing this to them, and the pain/fear they experienced in their final moment ?
So brutal of Nick and unfair --imo-- after what looks like umpteen million times to get him help ?
They tried !

Am not feeling sympathy for him, but that's just how I view this case.
I feel for two people who were flawed humans like the rest of us, but did what they could to help him, right up to the end of their lives !
And am also compassionate towards his siblings who had their parents deliberately taken from them.
Am watching this case to see how the public defender proceeds.
It's possible that after that party at Conan O’Brien’s house when they got home, the parent said that’s it you’re going back into rehab or you have to leave(not cruel and maybe a bit of tough love ?) something like that which triggered him, and Nick wasn’t having any part of it ?

If Nick is ill with schizophrenia or something else, and even if he himself exacerbated his illness with his own drug use, it’s a condition that can be treated and managed with medication.
People diagnosed with mental illness can and do live happy productive lives.
And many of them do not commit criminal acts.
We as a society have to stop making mental illness an excuse for murder.

He was an injustice collector and the system didn't fail him, his parents didn't fail him, and society in general didn't fail him.
And also imo-- there is no 'conspiracy' formulated against him.

From following this case, he'd had tantrums and uncontrollable behavior from an early age.

Nick Reiner threw ‘terrifying’ tantrums even as a kid: ‘So much anger in his eyes’

“He had so much anger in his eyes. It was terrifying really.”

nypost.com

He was violent long before he began abusing drugs.

The trial will result in either prison or an assisted living facility, but imo he should never be free as I think it's possible he could still be a danger to his siblings; if he starts blaming them for his troubles ?

Still wondering what the impetus was for the atty. , Alan Jackson, to recuse himself from this case.
Jmo.

 

[BeginnerSleuther]

MOO, Wellbutrin is Not the most popular antidepressant, it is Not as effective for most people, much More suicidal ideation, than common SSRI type antidepressants.

I know you said it was MOO, but this is just not true. Wellbutrin does not lead to more suicidal ideation nor is weight the primary reason someone would request Wellbutrin. There are a number of other reasons that outweigh weight, chief among them is that whereas antipsychotics can cause sedation and grogginess, Wellbutrin can be more stimulatory without being a stimulant.

On the suicidality issue, this is way overblown and exaggerated by the media. The facts are that the evidence shows that antidepressants only increase the risk of suicidal thoughts in individuals 25 years old and younger, due to the developing brain. After age 25, there is no increase in suicidal thoughts seen in the studies. After age 65, it actually shows a reverse relation in that individuals on SSRIs over the age of 65 have less suicidal thoughts than those who are not.

 

[Dotta]

IMO
this person is severely mentally ill,
and his condition has manifested itself since childhood.
He seems unable to lead a normal, independent life,
(school, job, starting his own family)
and had always been dependent on parents.

What exactly would be the motive
if he was treated as sane?

I suspect delusions, hallucinations, paranoid psychosis
(especially as his meds were being changed).

IMO
his place is in a psychiatric facility, possibly for life.

That is my AMATEUR Opinion.
(As I'm not a MH specialist)

But really,
all I read about this tragedy confirms my view on this case more & more.

JMO

 

[MistyWaters]

This is an interesting document containing a lot of information relating specifically to California NGRI law. As has been reported, the onus is on the defence to prove NR was legally insane at the time of the murders in accordance to the M’Naghten standard. Any evidence to the contrary rules against that and merely being diagnosed with mental illness in the past apparently doesn’t cut it. Perhaps this is the reason NGRI rulings are very rare, reportedly less than 1%.

https://www.fdap.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/An-Appellate-Defenders-Guide-to-the-Insanity-Defense-and-Not-Guilty-by-Reason-of-Insanity-Commitments.pdf

Mental illness alone, however, does not establish insanity. The California Supreme Court has repeatedly observed that “a defendant may suffer from a diagnosable mental illness without being legally insane under the M’Naghten standard.” (People v. Mills (2012) 55 Cal.4th 663, 672; see also Elmore, supra, 59 Cal.4th at p. 146.) F. Insanity Distinguishe

 

[cujenn81]

Concealing a weapon can be a part of mental illness . The paranoia kicks in. Serial killer Israel Keys did this . Here is a medical journal entry on this. Serial killing in schizophrenia - PMC

I have done extensive research on Israel Keyes and have never read anything that suggests he was ever diagnosed with schizophrenia or exhibited symptoms of paranoia. I’ve even read his court ordered psych eval report and the only thing even remotely “mental illness” related mentioned were antisocial personality traits.

 

[lohrtabitha]

Bbm.
There are different opinions on Nick's actions that night and that's understandable.
My view on his hiding the knife is that he knew very well that what he did was wrong, and not necessarily mentally ill but even if so -- he had the wherewithal to know he was in trouble for what he did.
It appears that he knew it was wrong.
It's heartbreaking for his parents who must have known who was doing this to them, and the pain/fear they experienced in their final moment ?
So brutal of Nick and unfair --imo-- after what looks like umpteen million times to get him help ?
They tried !

Am not feeling sympathy for him, but that's just how I view this case.
I feel for two people who were flawed humans like the rest of us, but did what they could to help him, right up to the end of their lives !
And am also compassionate towards his siblings who had their parents deliberately taken from them.
Am watching this case to see how the public defender proceeds.
It's possible that after that party at Conan O’Brien’s house when they got home, the parent said that’s it you’re going back into rehab or you have to leave(not cruel and maybe a bit of tough love ?) something like that which triggered him, and Nick wasn’t having any part of it ?

If Nick is ill with schizophrenia or something else, and even if he himself exacerbated his illness with his own drug use, it’s a condition that can be treated and managed with medication.
People diagnosed with mental illness can and do live happy productive lives.
And many of them do not commit criminal acts.
We as a society have to stop making mental illness an excuse for murder.

He was an injustice collector and the system didn't fail him, his parents didn't fail him, and society in general didn't fail him.
And also imo-- there is no 'conspiracy' formulated against him.

From following this case, he'd had tantrums and uncontrollable behavior from an early age.

Nick Reiner threw ‘terrifying’ tantrums even as a kid: ‘So much anger in his eyes’

“He had so much anger in his eyes. It was terrifying really.”

nypost.com

He was violent long before he began abusing drugs.

The trial will result in either prison or an assisted living facility, but imo he should never be free as I think it's possible he could still be a danger to his siblings; if he starts blaming them for his troubles ?

Still wondering what the impetus was for the atty. , Alan Jackson, to recuse himself from this case.
Jmo.

We as a educated society must understand that mental illness is very real, it comes in different forms, it effects people differently, and we must continue to educate ourselves about it so we can treat it better. There is no doubt that NR suffers from schizophrenic affective disorder. It is beyond severe and debilitating. As reported, he couldnt even take care of basic needs. Yes his illness can be treated but it will never be cured. We as a society must learn more and spend more in the treatment of mental health. We also need to follow the science and medical studies on this and not let our personal feelings affect our judgement. I hate what happened to the Reiners and by the hands of their own child. It is horrific. However that being said, I want to listen to the experts who have the knowledge and research before I make judgements about Nick's state of mind. Nick Reiner Was in a Mental Health Conservatorship in 2020

 

[lohrtabitha]

I

I have done extensive research on Israel Keyes and have never read anything that suggests he was ever diagnosed with schizophrenia or exhibited symptoms of paranoia. I’ve even read his court ordered psych eval report and the only thing even remotely “mental illness” related mentioned were antisocial personality traits.

I didn't say he was schizophrenic. I said he had mental illness. Yes he was diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder. Harold Mullins was the one I mentioned with schizophrenia.

 

[Rolypolyoly]

I've yet to see one photo of him looking like GQ model. That's my opinion.

I personally think a fuller face suited him better, in photos where he is slimmer in the face he looks harsher, he has quite prominent features and having a fuller face softens them I think.

Although news outlets are most definitely using the very worst photos of him, ones with bad angles where he looks a little off, iykwim?

I know we dont know if the weight gain was the issue worh his meds, but I can certainly understand why a person would be upset in the change of appearance, if you already feel like you aren't yourself on meds, it must be compounded by looking in a mirror and not seeing yourself looking back at you

 

[Chimera]

We as a educated society must understand that mental illness is very real, it comes in different forms, it effects people differently, and we must continue to educate ourselves about it so we can treat it better. There is no doubt that NR suffers from schizophrenic affective disorder. It is beyond severe and debilitating. As reported, he couldnt even take care of basic needs. Yes his illness can be treated but it will never be cured. We as a society must learn more and spend more in the treatment of mental health. We also need to follow the science and medical studies on this and not let our personal feelings affect our judgement. I hate what happened to the Reiners and by the hands of their own child. It is horrific. However that being said, I want to listen to the experts who have the knowledge and research before I make judgements about Nick's state of mind. Nick Reiner Was in a Mental Health Conservatorship in 2020

Bbm.
Yes I completely understand what you're saying. He was placed in multiple rehabs and kept rejecting the offered help.
When he was 'on his own', so to speak, he was abusing drugs and presumably taking care of basic needs such as feeding himself.
Now that doesn't mean he didn't get $$ from his parents to buy food, but he went and bought it and from all of the reports out there he chose to occasionally be homeless and spend whatever sources he had on what he wanted.

So the opinion could be made that he did take care of basic needs -- enough to bypass what he may have construed as interference from his family ?

This is seemingly a 'cut and dried' case on the surface, but containing layers of manipulation by Nick towards his family and that's what the prosecution may focus on should this come to trial ?
No one has made judgements about Nicks' state of mind beyond what we can glean from msm articles, but they paint a manipulative picture of familial love from his parents & family, and constant rejection towards them -- from him.
I do think people tried to help him and not just family.
He has no excuse for what he did.

As far as making judgments about someone, my .02 is that if someone shows you who they are, believe them.

There needs to be justice for the Reiner's and at the end of the day I believe everyone wants that.
If he's found not guilty and set free, I think he could still be dangerous.
My .02.

 

[MistyWaters]

Bbm.
Yes I completely understand what you're saying. He was placed in multiple rehabs and kept rejecting the offered help.
When he was 'on his own', so to speak, he was abusing drugs and presumably taking care of basic needs such as feeding himself.
Now that doesn't mean he didn't get $$ from his parents to buy food, but he went and bought it and from all of the reports out there he chose to occasionally be homeless and spend whatever sources he had on what he wanted.

So the opinion could be made that he did take care of basic needs -- enough to bypass what he may have construed as interference from his family ?

This is seemingly a 'cut and dried' case on the surface, but containing layers of manipulation by Nick towards his family and that's what the prosecution may focus on should this come to trial ?
No one has made judgements about Nicks' state of mind beyond what we can glean from msm articles, but they paint a manipulative picture of familial love from his parents & family, and constant rejection towards them -- from him.
I do think people tried to help him and not just family.
He has no excuse for what he did.

There needs to be justice for the Reiner's and at the end of the day I believe everyone wants that.
If he's found not guilty and set free, I think he could still be dangerous.
My .02.

After NR was arrested, LAPD issued a statement that he was ‘responsible’. There’s no way they would make such a statement unless he admitted to it at the time of his arrest. If so he knew what he did, that would make it virtually impossible for his defence to argue NGRI.

I’d wager the State will go for the death penalty over him being found not guilty and being set free.
JMO

https://www.cnn.com/entertainment/live-news/homicide-detectives-investigating-at-address-connected-with-hollywood-director-rob-reiner

Nick Reiner is “responsible” for the deaths of his parents, legendary Hollywood director Rob Reiner and producer Michele Singer Reiner, Los Angeles police said.

 

[lohrtabitha]

Bbm.
Yes I completely understand what you're saying. He was placed in multiple rehabs and kept rejecting the offered help.
When he was 'on his own', so to speak, he was abusing drugs and presumably taking care of basic needs such as feeding himself.
Now that doesn't mean he didn't get $$ from his parents to buy food, but he went and bought it and from all of the reports out there he chose to occasionally be homeless and spend whatever sources he had on what he wanted.

So the opinion could be made that he did take care of basic needs -- enough to bypass what he may have construed as interference from his family ?

This is seemingly a 'cut and dried' case on the surface, but containing layers of manipulation by Nick towards his family and that's what the prosecution may focus on should this come to trial ?
No one has made judgements about Nicks' state of mind beyond what we can glean from msm articles, but they paint a manipulative picture of familial love from his parents & family, and constant rejection towards them -- from him.
I do think people tried to help him and not just family.
He has no excuse for what he did.

As far as making judgments about someone, my .02 is that if someone shows you who they are, believe them.

There needs to be justice for the Reiner's and at the end of the day I believe everyone wants that.
If he's found not guilty and set free, I think he could still be dangerous.
My .02.

But in these $70,000 treatment facilities they did not treat his mental illness which was a dire need. I don't believe NR should be set free. I wish he could spend the rest of his time confined to an institution. But no matter how much one wants to, you can't wish his illness away. This article describes why his parents issued a conservatorship for him.https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/nick-reiner-believes-hes-victim-conspiracy-while-jail-parents-murders-documentary
Redirect Notice . And these rehabs have been said to re addict you to drugs by Kelly Osbourne about Nick's experience.https://www.tmz.com/watch/2024-09-13-091324-matthew-perry-promo-osbourne-rehab-brokers-1897256-144/

 

[MistyWaters]

But in these $70,000 treatment facilities they did not treat his mental illness which was a dire need. I don't believe NR should be set free. I wish he could spend the rest of his time confined to an institution. But no matter how much one wants to, you can't wish his illness away. This article describes why his parents issued a conservatorship for him.
Redirect Notice . And these rehabs have been said to re addict you to drugs by Kelly Osbourne about Nick's experience.https://www.tmz.com/watch/2024-09-13-091324-matthew-perry-promo-osbourne-rehab-brokers-1897256-144/

How do we know NR’s mental illness wasn’t treated in a $70000 treatment facility? Nothing I’ve read suggested he truly worked at recovering from his drug addiction.

Like the chicken and the egg, mental illness and drug addiction, which is dealt with first?

JMO

 

[Chimera]

But in these $70,000 treatment facilities they did not treat his mental illness which was a dire need. I don't believe NR should be set free. I wish he could spend the rest of his time confined to an institution. But no matter how much one wants to, you can't wish his illness away. This article describes why his parents issued a conservatorship for him.https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/nick-reiner-believes-hes-victim-conspiracy-while-jail-parents-murders-documentary
Redirect Notice . And these rehabs have been said to re addict you to drugs by Kelly Osbourne about Nick's experience.https://www.tmz.com/watch/2024-09-13-091324-matthew-perry-promo-osbourne-rehab-brokers-1897256-144/

Emphasis mine.
I certainly agree with the bolded.
If the decision is to place him in a mental institution or assisted living, they'd be wise to keep him for the remainder of his life, because if he was released, he might go back to his former ways.

As far as the previous $70,000 facilities, I'd imagine at that price that they're competently managed/operated, and if Nick wished to better himself, he had ample opportunities to do so ?

No one said they were trying to 'wish his illness away' ?
His actions speak for themselves ; again some of his decisions post-murder seem to indicate he planned and even possibly premeditated the killings ?
IF he'd remained at the house and not attempted to clean up and had left the murder weapon in the house in plain sight, it would look as if he was indeed insane.

I wish we could know what the interactions between Nick and his former lawyer were in regards to Alan Jackson stepping down it might make things more clear ?
Here's a thought, did Nick for some reason not want A. Jackson to represent him ?
Just a thought.
Imo.

 

[LinasK]

Emphasis mine.
I certainly agree with the bolded.
If the decision is to place him in a mental institution or assisted living, they'd be wise to keep him for the remainder of his life, because if he was released, he might go back to his former ways.

As far as the previous $70,000 facilities, I'd imagine at that price that they're competently managed/operated, and if Nick wished to better himself, he had ample opportunities to do so ?

No one said they were trying to 'wish his illness away' ?
His actions speak for themselves ; again some of his decisions post-murder seem to indicate he planned and even possibly premeditated the killings ?
IF he'd remained at the house and not attempted to clean up and had left the murder weapon in the house in plain sight, it would look as if he was indeed insane.

I wish we could know what the interactions between Nick and his former lawyer were in regards to Alan Jackson stepping down it might make things more clear ?
Here's a thought, did Nick for some reason not want A. Jackson to represent him ?
Just a thought.
Imo.

I think it's either NIck refused an Insanity plea or the judge forced Jackson off the case due to a conflict of interest.

 

[lohrtabitha]

How do we know NR’s mental illness wasn’t treated in a $70000 treatment facility? Nothing I’ve read suggested he truly worked at recovering from his drug addiction.

Like the chicken and the egg, mental illness and drug addiction, which is dealt with first?

JMO

If it goes to trial we can wait and see.

 

[lohrtabitha]

Emphasis mine.
I certainly agree with the bolded.
If the decision is to place him in a mental institution or assisted living, they'd be wise to keep him for the remainder of his life, because if he was released, he might go back to his former ways.

As far as the previous $70,000 facilities, I'd imagine at that price that they're competently managed/operated, and if Nick wished to better himself, he had ample opportunities to do so ?

No one said they were trying to 'wish his illness away' ?
His actions speak for themselves ; again some of his decisions post-murder seem to indicate he planned and even possibly premeditated the killings ?
IF he'd remained at the house and not attempted to clean up and had left the murder weapon in the house in plain sight, it would look as if he was indeed insane.

I wish we could know what the interactions between Nick and his former lawyer were in regards to Alan Jackson stepping down it might make things more clear ?
Here's a thought, did Nick for some reason not want A. Jackson to represent him ?
Just a thought.
Imo.

I'm not a psychiatrist and can't explain how Nicks psychosis had and has affected him so I can only trust what medical doctors such as Dr. Drew have stated thus far. If this goes to trial, then there will be more doctors and more science. That is what I'm waiting for.