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

[Dreamcherry]

Can you be mentally insane without having diminished responsibility as a possibility when it comes to sentencing

Yes! All that matters is your state of mind at the time of the act in question. If they can prove that you didn't have the capacity to understand what you were doing, and whether it was right or wrong, then that means there was no actual intent. However, you can have any mental illness under the sun and still not reach the bar of "Not Criminally Responsible on Account of Mental Disorder" (that's the Canadian term, so insert whatever they use in California here please) if you did know the difference at the time of the act, and they can prove intent. Having a diagnosed illness itself is not enough to meet the criteria for diminished responsibility.

More like "sedated", methinks.

Antipsychotics have a sedative quality, so they can achieve both simultaneously in this case.

Sidewalks and prisons function as mental institutions nowadays.

God, this is so perfectly said. Yup, for some reason we decided this was better.
.

 

[turaj]

I doubt he was thinking logically, having murdered his parents and reportedly suffering from schizophrenia and possibly being on illegal drugs.

given his state of mind I don't expect anyone outside of NR to be able to explain why he put that up.

 

[Cedars]

Having a diagnosed illness itself is not enough to meet the criteria for diminished responsibility.

I completely agree.

IMO, it depends on how the person describes their own state of mind at the time of the attack. What they recall thinking, feeling, etc at that precise time. Of course, they may be lying, so they will have to describe it consistently, over and over, to highly trained psychologists from both the prosecution and the defense, who will note every nuance in how they describe it.

JMO

 

[nhmemorymaker]

Typical of media coverage, there’s contradictory information out there.

Inside Nick Reiner’s sheltered Hollywood upbringing and how he left mom ‘at her wits end’ before grisly double murder

Accommodations, ever since his childhood, were made for Nick Reiner. A source related to The Post that those around Nick were told “not to upset him.” The source continued, “They would basica…

nypost.com

“He had lived in their guest house for around the last five years, according to reports.”

This article certainly does have contradictions...
It also declares a "recent' diagnosis..... I know I read elsewhere, that he had had this diagnosis for a couple of years...
I guess the contradictions are expected in the beginning of reporting..but at the end of the day, they really do make a difference.

Oh..and if the statement by Conan is correct---wow, that is a heavy burden he will have to carry forever.

 

[SaraSmile]

Unlikely to be able to do it involuntarily even if they wanted to prior to this. Not just in CA. Laws make it very difficult and in addition, there are few treatment slots available. If a hold is ordered it tends to be fairly short. And having him become homeless again would continue to pose a threat to public. Sidewalks and prisons function as

I completely agree.

IMO, it depends on how the person describes their own state of mind at the time of the attack. What they recall thinking, feeling, etc at that precise time. Of course, they may be lying, so they will have to describe it consistently, over and over, to highly trained psychologists from both the prosecution and the defense, who will note every nuance in how they describe it.

JMO

MOO, that’s why family got Alan Jackson, to frame crime as mainly a mental illness, prescription med adjustment crisis. Jackson will try to mitigate, one or two steps down in punishment, try to send Nick to mental institution, instead of prison. Better living conditions. Family still cares.

 

[ilovewings]

Those tricks with appearance don't usually work. I was almost seated for a jury trial of a gang member murder. They brought him into the courtroom to see his jury before I was dismissed. They dressed him in a lavender plaid sweater, but he had the gang tear-drop tattoo by his eye and he glared at me. I thought he looks like a gang member in a lavender sweater. I read up on the case weeks later, they convicted him without me.

I absolutely hate that they put a suit on the worst of the worst at the defense table. They make the worst monsters look like business men- it makes me sick.

 

[MistyWaters]

This article certainly does have contradictions...
It also declares a "recent' diagnosis..... I know I read elsewhere, that he had had this diagnosis for a couple of years...
I guess the contradictions are expected in the beginning of reporting..but at the end of the day, they really do make a difference.

Oh..and if the statement by Conan is correct---wow, that is a heavy burden he will have to carry forever.

From that same link, some of these articles aren’t worth the time to read. Does it make any sense that NR was acting ‘out of his head’ due to his medications and MR was at her ‘wits end’. But this makes it appear NR wanted to go to that Xmas party (wearing a hoodie). That he didn’t dress to the occasion along with his behaviour makes it appear he didn’t go willingly. Wouldn’t surprise me if his parents bribed him to go so they could ‘keep an eye on him’. JMO

TMZ claimed Nick had been diagnosed with schizophrenia just weeks before the murders and medication he took for the condition made him “erratic and dangerous,” with a source claiming, “Nick was out of his head.”

The Post’s sources said that seemed exaggerated. They claimed while Nick had ditched his healthy diet, usually a sign he was using drugs again, he had also lost weight. But they had not known him to get violent.

However, in recent months he was “not acting like himself” and it had left Michele “at her wits end,” sources said.

In fact, the sources said it was something of an anomaly for Nick to go to a party with his parents, as usually he would shrug such things off, but they would have been glad he wanted to socialize.

“They wanted to include him. They wanted to get him involved in as many things as possible,” the source added.

However, once at Conan’s party, things didn’t go smoothly, with Nick causing scenes.

 

[Cedars]

Jackson will try to mitigate, one or two steps down in punishment, try to send Nick to mental institution,

I agree, but my perspective is that it will be the statements of NR himself that will count: they will inform the testimony of the forensic psychologists.

If the prosecution doesn't believe it was a case of insanity, they will introduce witnesses to testify to aspects of his behaviour and statements, and his interviews with psychological evaluators, that show evidence of 'malice aforethought'.

The insanity defense is the one instance, I believe, where the defense doesn't just need to create doubt about the prosecution's case. I believe it is the only time when the defense has to prove their case (insanity) 'beyond a reasonable doubt', but I'd like to hear more about that from legal experts.

JMO

 

[Seattle1]

12/22/25

Meth psychosis or schizophrenia? Does Nick Reiner diagnosis matter in murder of parents?​

In this episode of Brian Entin Investigates, Dr. Drew Pinsky explains why he believes it's not schizophrenia, but instead the murders were brought on by meth psychosis.

 

[ttjo]

From that same link, some of these articles aren’t worth the time to read.

The Post’s sources said that seemed exaggerated. They claimed while Nick had ditched his healthy diet, usually a sign he was using drugs again, he had also lost weight. But they had not known him to get violent.

Why do they use words like “ ditched”. What does that mean exactly ? Ditched his healthy diet. Does that mean he didnt eat at all or ditched the healthy eating habits? He lost weight? Is that from not eating or from relapsing again,.
He looks heavier in recent pics, how long has he been heavier, (is it recent)? could that be from antipsychotics?
I wonder if the weight gain contributed to him wanting to relapse.

 

[SaraSmile]

I agree, but my perspective is that it will be the statements of NR himself that will count: they will inform the testimony of the forensic psychologists.

If the prosecution doesn't believe it was a case of insanity, they will introduce witnesses to testify to aspects of his behaviour and statements, and his interviews with psychological evaluators, that show evidence of 'malice aforethought'.

The insanity defense is the one instance, I believe, where the defense doesn't just need to create doubt about the prosecution's case. I believe it is the only time when the defense has to prove their case (insanity) 'beyond a reasonable doubt', but I'd like to hear more about that from legal experts.

JMO

Agree, it will be interesting to see the prosecution's case vs defense case on this one.
Prosecution, Malice aforethought, pre meditated: after party, Nick went to his guest house, got more and more angry, waited til parents asleep, got a sharp kitchen knife. Parents had cut him off of funds, were “causing him stress”, needed to be eliminated. (My ideas only, just imagining on above details)
VS, Defense:Schizophrenia, Nick “snapped”, he was embarrassed at Conan’s party, years of resentment had built up, mental illness, schizophrenia, medication change, drug use ( maybe meth), extreme stress.
I’m ok with either as long as Nick is put away for life in an institution. Too dangerous to be out in society.

 

[freudianslip]

12/22/25

Meth psychosis or schizophrenia? Does Nick Reiner diagnosis matter in murder of parents?​

In this episode of Brian Entin Investigates, Dr. Drew Pinsky explains why he believes it's not schizophrenia, but instead the murders were brought on by meth psychosis.

This makes a lot more sense to me, considering what we know so far. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ilovewings]

Agree, it will be interesting to see the prosecution's case vs defense case on this one.
Prosecution, Malice aforethought, pre meditated: after party, Nick went to his guest house, got more and more angry, waited til parents asleep, got a sharp kitchen knife. Parents had cut him off of funds, were “causing him stress”, needed to be eliminated. (My ideas only, just imagining on above details)
VS, Defense:Schizophrenia, Nick “snapped”, he was embarrassed at Conan’s party, years of resentment had built up, mental illness, schizophrenia, medication change, drug use ( maybe meth), extreme stress.
I’m ok with either as long as Nick is put away for life in an institution. Too dangerous to be out in society.

Right on the money!!!!

 

[Dreamcherry]

12/22/25

Meth psychosis or schizophrenia? Does Nick Reiner diagnosis matter in murder of parents?​

In this episode of Brian Entin Investigates, Dr. Drew Pinsky explains why he believes it's not schizophrenia, but instead the murders were brought on by meth psychosis.

Meth psychosis was my initial guess, and I'm still not convinced it wasn't that, tbh.

 

[sceawian]

Please don't judge my ignorance but is it possible to pretend to be schizophrenic.

I don't mean any offence in my question I'm just curious

There is actually a very famous study that is often one of the first we teach beginner psychology students (though the quality of the actual study itself... debatable): "On being sane in insane places": Rosenhan experiment - Wikipedia

For the experiment, participants submitted themselves for evaluation at various psychiatric institutions and feigned hallucinations in order to be accepted, but acted normally from then onward. Each was diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder and given antipsychotic medication.

In general, it's not so much if someone can fake schizophrenia but why and, I guess, how successful they are at it. Do they fake symptoms because they have an internal need for attention/validation they know they get by being "sick"? That may be linked to a kind of factitious disorder. Are they faking to avoid punishment, get a reward like drugs or money, or relief from work or duties? It can be linked to malingering. Do they truly but mistakenly believe they have schizophrenia? Could be linked to hypochondriasis or somatic symptom disorder, or functional neurological symptom disorder etc etc.

In terms of how well it can be faked, generally schizophrenia can be categorised into positive and negative symptoms (I don't mean as in good or bad, but linked to affect); some symptoms are presumably easier or harder to imitate.


LINK TO CHART https://www.clinicaladvisor.com/features/schizophrenia-a-clinical-overview/

 

[formerlyme]

Exactly. He targeted his anger on his parents to the point of murdering them. Yet, if this was because of meds or mental health diagnosis, then how come he did not slice the throats of other humans that night. He seemed well enough to get a hotel, shower, change, pick out a gatorade or other drink, go for walks, put his hands up without incident when surrounded by police. Seems like he was done living under his dad's shadow. Dad and Mom may have been like one to him. I don't buy a potential plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. He seems pretty sane to me. He appears to have acted on impulses to silence his parents which if that's the case, premeditation.

Unless if he is diagnosed Schizophrenic he claims the voices told him to kill his parents.

 

[Betty P]

12/22/25

Meth psychosis or schizophrenia? Does Nick Reiner diagnosis matter in murder of parents?​

In this episode of Brian Entin Investigates, Dr. Drew Pinsky explains why he believes it's not schizophrenia, but instead the murders were brought on by meth psychosis.

Good interview. Dr. Drew is an expert on this topic. Note, he's not saying anything definitive about NR's particular case because we don't know enough about NR's status before, during and after the murders. LE will have tested and examined him to see what kind of drugs he was using, then treated him as needed once he was in custody.

But Dr. Drew was pointing out that statistics show most people who commit those kinds of violent acts are in a state of meth psychosis. It can happen as part of schizophrenia, but its less likely. He also pointed out that docs in the jail will be evaluating and treating him now to help stabilize him. We've all followed a lot of cases here where killers were stabilized with medication after their arrests. Dr. Drew also said its possible that NR may not remember exactly what happened during his murder spree. He may have been in a fugue state, which can also happen in these types of crimes involving violent psychotic episodes. On average, its usually meth psychosis that causes people to become extremely violent, lose control and "pick up sharp objects". OTOH, schizophrenics who have murderous psychotic episodes tend to be "defending" family or loved ones from some hallucination they're having, e.g. parents who kill children because they believe a devil or some demon is trying to kill their family. They commit the murders differently and sometimes try to kill themselves, too.

As Dr. Drew pointed out, he worked in a psychiatric hospital for 35 years. He knows what he's talking about. It will be interesting to see if his speculation about meth psychosis is accurate. JMO, he may be right.

 

[Betty P]

Why do they use words like “ ditched”. What does that mean exactly ? Ditched his healthy diet. Does that mean he didnt eat at all or ditched the healthy eating habits? He lost weight? Is that from not eating or from relapsing again,.
He looks heavier in recent pics, how long has he been heavier, (is it recent)? could that be from antipsychotics?
I wonder if the weight gain contributed to him wanting to relapse.

I noticed his weight, as well. He looked heavier in some recent photos, but if you look at the security cam video of him walking in his parent's neighborhood the night of the murders, you can tell he had lost some weight recently. I wondered if he lapsed on his treatment and went back to doing meth because he wanted to lose weight, in addition to wanting that drug again.

There's video of him at this link walking around inside a convenience store. He looks much thinner than the earlier photos of him looking chubby. His clothes are a size or two too large and hanging on him.

Security video shows the moment Nick Reiner was arrested after the death of his parents

The video, obtained by NBC Los Angeles, shows Nick Reiner, 32, being confronted by four police vehicles Sunday night.

www.nbcnews.com

 

[Megnut]

I absolutely hate that they put a suit on the worst of the worst at the defense table. They make the worst monsters look like business men- it makes me sick.

I think they should be given a choice. Jailhouse scrubs or what they were wearing when they were arrested.

=)

 

[everlearning]

NR is non-compliant. He proudly shares his non-compliance.

I fear he will not take mental health meds consistently without enforced incarceration. They can't make him either, but in my opinion, society will be safer with him behind bars. Not just society, but his family. Whoever controls how the money is spent is in jeopardy. As a big sister, I can say that's usually family, even if they don't have total control. It can be perceived that they do.

He needs saving from himself. He's lived out of control so long. All just my opinion. Thank goodness I won't be asked to make this call.