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

[MistyWaters]

I wonder if they trusted him to live on his own in a condo? They might have have just needed to keep a tight leach because of his behavior and possible relapsing. IMO

Parents cannot prevent an adult child from relapsing by restricting his freedom 24/7. However if they tried, unless it meets the definition of abduction, it’s not grounds to murder claiming self defence.

 

[wendybtn]

Shackled Nick Reiner utters first words since parents' killing

Nick Reiner made his first court appearance today after he was charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the stabbing deaths of his parents.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Nick's lawyer, Alan Jackson, made a statement to the public saying that there were 'very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case,' and asked that 'throughout this process you allow the system to move forward in the way that it was designed to move forward, not with a rush to judgment.'
Prosecutors added special circumstances of multiple murders and use of a dangerous weapon, a knife, meaning, if he is convicted, Nick could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or even the death penalty.
Rbm.
Serious, yes.

Very complex ... maybe -- if there were more than one involved , notes left at the scene, threatening texts or voicemails left prior to the murders.
Is that referred to as mitigating circumstances ?
For the record I doubt it.
I think Nick surprised them, as in they never expected him capable of such actions ?

Otherwise with what we know it seems fairly simple.
Their son whom they loved entered their home and murdered them both.

The prosecutors added what makes this more complex and given that there were two murders and the weapon afaik has not been recovered, then yes.
Also wondering if there were any security cameras inside or outside the home ?
That will aid the prosecution if so.

Nick Reiner deserves a fair trial, as would we all !
So far it appears a slam dunk, but we'll see.
Imo.

Defense attorneys often say that in high profile trials. Their theories usually blame others but have very little evidence.

 

[wendybtn]

I've searched, but thus far no toxicology reports on Nick Reiner.

That will take several months.

 

[daynaRT]

this is such a painful loss. my heart is broken.

“The most important things are the hardest things to say. They are the things you get ashamed of, because words diminish them — words shrink things that seemed limitless when they were …

wilwheaton.net

 

[MistyWaters]

I agree, although I'd say mental issues.can apply to anyone in various phases of life and don't have to be labelled a full blown clinical mental illness for the person to be at high risk of developing an addiction to try to cope.

I guess the question might be: did he have the kind of mental illness that is known to sometimes result in violence? And if he did, why are there no reports of violence when he was younger, which is when those illnesses are typically diagnosed and treated by psychiatrists with medication...

JMO

According to this, an insanity defence is more than just mental illness or tendacy towards violence, it’s not knowing that murdering one’s own parents is morally unthinkable.
Because of that disease or defect, (he/she) was incapable of
knowing or understanding the nature and quality of (his/her) act
or was incapable of knowing or understanding that (his/her) act
was morally or legally wrong.

Typically I would guess that’s related more so to schizophrenia than personality disorders. ie demons, aliens, instructions from god. But in those cases the perp need have the need to flee, or otherwise hide from the fact they committed the crime.
JMO

https://www.justia.com/criminal/docs/calcrim/3400/3450/

BUT there’s more:
Special rules apply to an insanity defense involving drugs or alcohol.
Addiction to or abuse of drugs or intoxicants, by itself, does not qualify
as legal insanity. This is true even if the intoxicants cause organic brain
damage or a settled mental disease or defect that lasts after the
immediate effects of the intoxicants have worn off. Likewise, a temporary
mental condition caused by the recent use of drugs or intoxicants is not
legal insanity.]

[If the defendant suffered from a settled mental disease or defect caused
by the long-term use of drugs or intoxicants, that settled mental disease
or defect combined with another mental disease or defect may qualify as
legal insanity. A settled mental disease or defect is one that remains after
the effect of the drugs or intoxicants has worn off.]

 

[Gemmie]

New York Post is an approved source:

Reiners had throats slit by family member during heated argument: Report

Rob Reiner, wife Michele had throats slit by family member during heated argument: report

The legendary director and his wife of 36 years, Michele Singer Reiner, were found Sunday afternoon by their daughter, Romy — who immediately told cops the killer was another family member.

nypost.com

Yes, that is correct, The NY Post is a WS approved source. It still doesn't mean it's not a tabloid (which was my point).

 

[formerlyme]

Trying to get thoughts straight I had heard the daughter across the street had children but only see Tracy having child or children. Just read the people article on the children. I cannot imagine how terrible this all is for them.

 

[Leprikawn]

rsbm

questions from a curious non-american
would a state hospital be seen as a (much) nicer option? would he receive good treatment there for his mental illness and addiction?

Atascadero State mental hospital would be much nicer than a prison that's for sure. he would get treatment in the facility. The problem is after a good amount of years, and patients that are highly intelligent, can get released by figuring out the system. Edmund Kemper was sent to a mental hospital at 15 after killing both his grandparents. He was let out and deemed mentally fine when in fact with his high IQ he was able to learn from their tests. He got out and became the Co-ed killer in Santa Cruz California.

Atascadero has released a few sadists that reoffended.

 

[BUF]

That will take several months.

Yes, toxicology usually takes several months, but in this case I’m sure it will be expedited through quickly. They can do it when they need to.

 

[LAborn]

New York Post is an approved source:

Reiners had throats slit by family member during heated argument: Report

Rob Reiner, wife Michele had throats slit by family member during heated argument: report

The legendary director and his wife of 36 years, Michele Singer Reiner, were found Sunday afternoon by their daughter, Romy — who immediately told cops the killer was another family member.

nypost.com

The Reiner's daughter is saying this account is inaccurate. No "heated argument". Their relationship with their son has been complicated for years as he's struggled with drug addiction off and on his young adult life. They have been very open about it over the years and Rob and Nick actually made a film about it "Being Charlie" in order to help other families dealing with the same things.

 

[detective.moon]

Atascadero State mental hospital would be much nicer than a prison that's for sure. he would get treatment in the facility. The problem is after a good amount of years, and patients that are highly intelligent, can get released by figuring out the system. Edmund Kemper was sent to a mental hospital at 15 after killing both his grandparents. He was let out and deemed mentally fine when in fact with his high IQ he was able to learn from their tests. He got out and became the Co-ed killer in Santa Cruz California.

Atascadero has released a few sadists that reoffended.

thank you for explaining, i appreciate it!

(where i live prison sentences are relatively short so in some cases the “insanity route” can actually be considered worse, when you never get to a point where the therapist don’t consider you a risk to society anymore!)

 

[Fabled Automatic]

Just wondering are there symptoms before a psychotic break. Is that what he had that led to all of this carnage and killing of his parents.

Sorry if I missed the answers already just checking in again

JMO

There are symptoms that define mental states like psychosis, mania, etc. Psychosis, for example.

I know a person who suffers from schizophrenia. Unfortunately, when they're in a psychotic state one of their main symptoms is believing that their mother isn't their mother, but someone sent to "spy on" them. They have occasionally threatened violence because of this.

I'm sure it varies from person to person, and I have no idea what Nick Reiner suffers from. I'm just giving an example.

 

[BUF]

Sounds pretty straightforward.

Which leads me to a question... IF their throats were slit, like tabloids have been saying... would that be spelled out in their cause of death, or would that simply fall under "Multiple sharp force injuries"?

This is not a full autopsy report detailing all. That will come out at trial….or if it gets leaked.

 

[LinasK]

It’s so ridiculous, because I’ve been following this since the news first said that two people were found dead at the Reiner home, and then we heard the whole story.

But I suddenly just now felt a shockwave——wow, Rob Reiner has been murdered!

Good old amiable, funny, talented Rob Reiner was ACTUALLY murdered by his son. As well as the mother.

It’s like a delayed reaction that just hit me all over again.

Yeah, the first stories were annoying because they didn't identify them immediately. For all we knew it could have been the gardener or a housekeeper.

 

[keek]

rsbm

questions from a curious non-american
would a state hospital be seen as a (much) nicer option? would he receive good treatment there for his mental illness and addiction?

Yes, he would as would have psychiatric visits and medical care in a hospital/rehab type of environment I would say, but def would have to be in a VERY secure situation and watch. IMO

 

[ttjo]

Has anyone heard whose name the room was under and how it was paid? Was it Nicks name and credit card?

 

[JDG]

Yes, toxicology usually takes several months, but in this case I’m sure it will be expedited through quickly. They can do it when they need to.

No rush, the trial won’t happen for ages. Several months is normal procedure.

 

[Chimera]

I wonder if they trusted him to live on his own in a condo? They might have have just needed to keep a tight leach because of his behavior and possible relapsing. IMO

Exactly !

Also to prevent him from harming himself and/or others ?
No parent is going to take the right actions all the time -- but I think they tried to help him throughout his life.
Nick didn't (imo) seem very grateful, either.
Omo.

 

[Chimera]

The Reiner's daughter is saying this account is inaccurate. No "heated argument". Their relationship with their son has been complicated for years as he's struggled with drug addiction off and on his young adult life. They have been very open about it over the years and Rob and Nick actually made a film about it "Being Charlie" in order to help other families dealing with the same things.

This (no argument ?) makes it seem even more premeditated ?

Along with the families' grief there may be some anger to deal with.
He can get help in prison.

For my part, I do not want to see him in any type of situation , a cushy mental health assisted living/hospital or wherever -- if there's a chance they'd deem him rehabilitated and set free to roam, as it appears he may be dangerous for the rest of his life.
Too risky.

Ending the lives of two people who birthed you and cared for you through the good times and the bad times --- it doesn't get much worse than that !
Omo.

 

[LAborn]

This (no argument ?) makes it seem even more premeditated ?

Along with the families' grief there may be some anger to deal with.
He can get help in prison.

For my part, I do not want to see him in any type of situation , a cushy mental health assisted living/hospital or wherever -- if there's a chance they'd deem him rehabilitated and set free to roam, as it appears he may be dangerous for the rest of his life.
Too risky.

Ending the lives of two people who birthed you and cared for you through the good times and the bad times --- it doesn't get much worse than that !
Omo.

Agree. There have been sources close to the Reiners (other actors, etc.) who have stated Nick had issues with his parents, some even said resentment. Also saw a headlines about Nick using meth and having violent outbursts, destroying their guest house where he was living, rinse repeat. He has a history of going to rehab and it not working. I agree, even if the murders were done in the heat of one of those meth episodes, he's responsible for their deaths and should serve whatever the prison sentence is. NOT mental health institution. It's so terrible, what a complete waste of two beautiful lives. ‘Ticking time bomb’ Nick Reiner went on meth-fueled outbursts as Rob, Michele threatened to kick him out: report