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

[su5ie]

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So we can frame it in a way that absolves the parents of all fault and lay the blame firmly at the feet of Nick

No matter what hoops the parents jumped through unless nick wanted recovery it was never going to be achieved. He could have been placed in treatment for 6 weeks , 12 weeks ,18 months and it would not have made a difference

I feel this is what Rob was referring to when he stated he shouldn't have listened to the professionals advocating to place nick in rehab , because it set in motion a pattern of defeat for both parties. Which in turn built walls of resentment and guilt

We only get a snapshot into the predicament they all found themselves in and from that miniscule timeframe in the grand scheme of things .we see Rob as a loving parent abet a bit over - bearing . But we see Nick seething, rude and not caring if a public is viewing his contempt

I suppose if we look at the relationship from a psychological and behavioural point of view both fed into the sickness . Nick with his inferiority complex ( moo) was always going to avenge and Rob was always going to feel like he could amend and fix

As we know from couple relationships this was never going to work out and the best anyone could have done is let go and let live and understand that there is some things we can't control as a parent as hard as that might be ,it's a reality many face .

Money , fame and love is what influenced choices here right up until Conans party .

 

[turaj]

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it sounds like he went to these ultra expensive spa like rehabs and did some time. that was not what he needed. there seemed to be some idea if we throw lots of money at this drug problem it will go away along with the mental illness. It all just got worse and worse. Reports are out there from various sources that Rob seemed worn down and not looking great in the last months. I think things were really spiraling out of control.

 

[turaj]

The family will be working with AJ and I have to think the family does not want to be put on the stand and in general have the circus a trial will bring. I think a quiet plea deal agreeable to both parties will be the outcome. A defense would have to include some mention of the enabling by parents and medical professionals. Then you have to include those at a private party most of whom were good friends of the Reiners. I just don't see a trial. I also think not all family will agree on best outcome for NR here.

 

[otto]

it sounds like he went to these ultra expensive spa like rehabs and did some time. that was not what he needed. there seemed to be some idea if we throw lots of money at this drug problem it will go away along with the mental illness. It all just got worse and worse. Reports are out there from various sources that Rob seemed worn down and not looking great in the last months. I think things were really spiraling out of control.

His parents were out of options. They had a son in his 30s who was useless, angry, rude, and who appeared to thrive on upsetting, or getting a reaction from, his parents. Rehab was unsuccessful. Private rehab professionals treating him at home didn't make a difference.

There were discussions about "rock bottom" being death through drug overdose. It's almost as though their son thought the funniest option was for his "rock bottom" is the death of his parents rather than his own death ... his idea of a sick and twisted punch line.

 

[Betty P]

In that video you can see Nick is triggered by his dad constantly talking over him and speaking for him. They were both really vying for the attention in that one. NR seemed very triggered and angry.

I think his dad briefly talked over him because they were doing an interview to promote the documentary and he was probably anticipating that his son was going to say something inappropriate or negative. He was probably trying his best to include his son in all aspects of making and promoting the docu, but knew there were risks he had to manage when his son was speaking to the media.

Rob and his wife probably had to become experts at pre-emptively managing NR when he was interacting with the public. They felt they wanted to try to let him have as normal a life as possible within the limitations of his mental illness and drug addiction. JMO, just a guess on my part. There were probably other past incidents similar to the one at Conan's party where they had to deal with NR's behavior and it was probably becoming increasingly difficult.

 

[Betty P]

His parents were out of options. They had a son in his 30s who was useless, angry, rude, and who appeared to thrive on upsetting, or getting a reaction from, his parents. Rehab was unsuccessful. Private rehab professionals treating him at home didn't make a difference.

There were discussions about "rock bottom" being death through drug overdose. It's almost as though their son thought the funniest option was for his "rock bottom" is the death of his parents rather than his own death ... his idea of a sick and twisted punch line.

Based on my limited experienced, I've known people with schizophrenia who truly wanted to get better and stay that way and others who fought and resisted treatment all the way. One person used to tell me the cues to watch for if they were starting to go off the rails, so to speak. They would apologize in advance. They told me what to do and who to contact if that happened. The other would physically fight their parents trying to give them medication,tear up the house and sneak away to smoke pot and have the most terrifying hallucinations. It's very sad and not all victims of that terrible disease handle it the same way.

 

[SaraSmile]

<modsnip: Quoted post was removed>

So we can frame it in a way that absolves the parents of all fault and lay the blame firmly at the feet of Nick

No matter what hoops the parents jumped through unless nick wanted recovery it was never going to be achieved. He could have been placed in treatment for 6 weeks , 12 weeks ,18 months and it would not have made a difference

I feel this is what Rob was referring to when he stated he shouldn't have listened to the professionals advocating to place nick in rehab , because it set in motion a pattern of defeat for both parties. Which in turn built walls of resentment and guilt

We only get a snapshot into the predicament they all found themselves in and from that miniscule timeframe in the grand scheme of things .we see Rob as a loving parent abet a bit over - bearing . But we see Nick seething, rude and not caring if a public is viewing his contempt

I suppose if we look at the relationship from a psychological and behavioural point of view both fed into the sickness . Nick with his inferiority complex ( moo) was always going to avenge and Rob was always going to feel like he could amend and fix

As we know from couple relationships this was never going to work out and the best anyone could have done is let go and let live and understand that there is some things we can't control as a parent as hard as that might be ,it's a reality many face .

Money , fame and love is what influenced choices here right up until Conans party .

I like your take on it, too! MOO, Yes, the problem was Nick’s problem to solve, he knew he had mental illness, addiction for a long time. Starting hard drugs so young, and with mental illness, can turn into schizophrenia. When this happens, there is an even worse problem.
There’s the hope that People can get stabilized, but it’s difficult when addiction is so entrenched. My cousin used drugs as a teen, parents had him committed( probably overkill in his case), and he was then diagnosed with schizophrenia, on Thorazine, elevil, etc, in mental hospitals after that. No hope for a “regular” life. ( job, family,

His parents were out of options. They had a son in his 30s who was useless, angry, rude, and who appeared to thrive on upsetting, or getting a reaction from, his parents. Rehab was unsuccessful. Private rehab professionals treating him at home didn't make a difference.

There were discussions about "rock bottom" being death through drug overdose. It's almost as though their son thought the funniest option was for his "rock bottom" is the death of his parents rather than his own death ... his idea of a sick and twisted punch line.

Hi Otto,
I touched like, after your post, referring to ouch! Wow, the irony. Your last paragraph about “rock bottom”. Most rock bottom is a place humiliating to the addict, so they make a decision to make a turnaround, become sober.
It was clearly Nick’s rock bottom, because he is going to an institution for life now, lots of time to think over what he did.
Since the schizophrenia diagnosis, new meds, Nick continued to use drugs, Nick got so aggressive and angry, that he murdered his own loving, caring ( naive) parents.

 

[SaraSmile]

Based on my limited experienced, I've known people with schizophrenia who truly wanted to get better and stay that way and others who fought and resisted treatment all the way. One person used to tell me the cues to watch for if they were starting to go off the rails, so to speak. They would apologize in advance. They told me what to do and who to contact if that happened. The other would physically fight their parents trying to give them medication,tear up the house and sneak away to smoke pot and have the most terrifying hallucinations. It's very sad and not all victims of that terrible disease handle it the same way.

MOO. My cousin had schizophrenia, he took drugs at an early age, so his parents committed him because they thought he was dangerous. They were very religious, didn’t understand the 60-70s, experimental drug use. Most kids quit, got a life by their early 20s, many got hooked, too. Hard to say if he would have had schizophrenia without the recreational drugs. Anyway, after he was first put in hospital, he was put on Thorazine( strong medication), shock treatment, he was in hospitals for life, died at 50.
One picture showed Nick with the characteristic eyes rolled up( irises rolled up, lots of white showing), maybe, from Thorazine and other heavy meds for schizophrenia.

 

[su5ie]

Did Nick ask Rob to take what he had written in his journal with a friend to turn it into a film ?

Hindsight is a wonderful thing and we could all preach from the pulpit if we had the gift of foresight but I can't help but think if Nick had of being allowed or as a solo project produced the Charlie film using an independent film company he may have had proper recovery from drugs and a better insight into how hard it was for his dad to achieve the height of fame he did

 

[su5ie]

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

 

[ttjo]

I tend to agree. I watched a video (linked upthread) that he released, where he didn't do or say anything worthwhile - stood in a laneway talking, trying to look or act cool. I think he presumed that he should be famous by association, even though he made no effort to do anything remarkable. He seems to lack imagination and creativity. He's a poor little entitled rich kid who believes he should receive spec
I think he under-estimated and under-valued the work of his father and grandfather - simply viewed them as lucky, and blamed his father for not making him lucky. If he couldn't get attention as a brilliant, successful hollywood star based on his last name alone, he was satisfied with the attention he received as a problematic drug abuser who has no social barriers.

100% agree
In the “ being Charlie” interview, Nick said something to the effect of ‘I realized this guy knows a lot so I better shut up and listen to him “
I looked on RR’s IMDB and I stopped counting at 50 movies he made by 1998, (Misery, sleepless in Seattle, postcards from the edge the jerk, first wives club,) BY 2016 he had done princess bride, wolf of Wall Street, when harry met sally. This is when Nick is saying “ I think this guy might actually know something I should listen?? HUH??? How could he not know how good his dad was, Maybe it was just his arrogance, IDK.
Not much different than asking famous people at Conan’s party if they were famous.

 

[Walela]

The family will be working with AJ and I have to think the family does not want to be put on the stand and in general have the circus a trial will bring. I think a quiet plea deal agreeable to both parties will be the outcome. A defense would have to include some mention of the enabling by parents and medical professionals. Then you have to include those at a private party most of whom were good friends of the Reiners. I just don't see a trial. I also think not all family will agree on best outcome for NR here.

It will be interesting to see which way the wind will blow in this case.....plea agreement or trial.

 

[su5ie]

It will be interesting to see which way the wind will blow in this case.....plea agreement or trial.

I think plea deal

 

[rosesfromangels]

If NR has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, and it is documented that he was largely unregulated in the months leading up to the murders, I do think the insanity plea is legitimate. That doesn’t mean that he shouldn’t be held accountable, and should be in an appropriate facility away from society. This is a horrific tragedy for his family at so many levels, and I think all of our prayers are needed.

As a society, we still struggle with honoring an individual’s right to privacy, and their civil liberties. We have to rely on the judgment of physicians to determine whether an individual is an immediate risk and threat to society. The law is very precise on this point; we can’t just throw individuals in jail or institutions because they are acting unbalanced. There has to be a real and active threat to themselves or others.

Because of the financial resources that the Reiner family has, it is likely that NR will live out his life in a therapeutic, but likely very comfortable setting.

My prayers continue for the Reiner family, and may the memories of Rob and Michele be a blessing.

Amateur opinion and speculation only.

 

[Sundog]

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NR refused to stay in the longer term programs. They couldn't force him to stay there.

The parents tried everything they could to help him, even up until their last breath.

 

[SaraSmile]

I think plea deal

I think plea, too. Go to a mental hospital, hopefully for life. I doubt family wants him to get out, too dangerous, just better conditions in the institution.
Is Atascadero the only CA mental hospital now? Are there private facilities for Rich if they pay?

 

[Sundog]

His parents were out of options. They had a son in his 30s who was useless, angry, rude, and who appeared to thrive on upsetting, or getting a reaction from, his parents. Rehab was unsuccessful. Private rehab professionals treating him at home didn't make a difference.

There were discussions about "rock bottom" being death through drug overdose. It's almost as though their son thought the funniest option was for his "rock bottom" is the death of his parents rather than his own death ... his idea of a sick and twisted punch line.

That about sums it up. How sad for Rob and Michelle who gave so much of their lives to try to help their son and then died by his hand.

 

[Gemmie]

Ron Reiner's obituary. It's a long one or I'd paste it here. Oddly I'm not finding one for Michele. Anyone?

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/rob-reiner-obituary?id=60299301

 

[ttjo]

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

I am no expert by any stretch but I found this article

What is ‘criminal malingering’?

“Malingering” – faking a sickness for an ulterior motive – is surprisingly common. Here are some of the ways in which doctors tell real illnesses from false ones.

www.bbc.com

 

[Sundog]

I like your take on it, too! MOO, Yes, the problem was Nick’s problem to solve, he knew he had mental illness, addiction for a long time. Starting hard drugs so young, and with mental illness, can turn into schizophrenia. When this happens, there is an even worse problem.
There’s the hope that People can get stabilized, but it’s difficult when addiction is so entrenched. My cousin used drugs as a teen, parents had him committed( probably overkill in his case), and he was then diagnosed with schizophrenia, on Thorazine, elevil, etc, in mental hospitals after that. No hope for a “regular” life. ( job, family,

Hi Otto,
I touched like, after your post, referring to ouch! Wow, the irony. Your last paragraph about “rock bottom”. Most rock bottom is a place humiliating to the addict, so they make a decision to make a turnaround, become sober.
It was clearly Nick’s rock bottom, because he is going to an institution for life now, lots of time to think over what he did.
Since the schizophrenia diagnosis, new meds, Nick continued to use drugs, Nick got so aggressive and angry, that he murdered his own loving, caring ( naive) parents.

I don't think his parents were "naive." They'd had to deal with him and those who treated him for his whole life. Nick probably should have been institutionalized long ago, but Rob and Michelle likely didn't want to do that. They preferred to try to let him live in society, even though that really infringed on their lives and the lives of their other children.