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

[katydid23]

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.

It's nearly impossible to institutionalise an adult, unless they have committed some violent actions. His addictions were not going to get him committed, nor were his outbursts or his vandalism, etc.

One has to be delusional, psychotic, totally erratic and dangerously so, to be held in a mental institution.

I've seen no evidence of NR being out of touch with reality and delusional. I think he was bitter, hateful, resentful, entitled, selfish, cold and heartless. But that is not enough to get him committed to an institution until he acts out violently.

The parents did not have the power to get him institutionalised because he was not a proven danger to himself or others.Until he was.

Which makes no sense, because an addict using hard lethal drugs IS a danger to himself and others but for some reason that does not fit the legal definition.

 

[waldojabba]

i have not seen NR in one interview with his father where it was a two way street in terms of love and respect for each other. I think he hated his father not because RR was a bad person but he resented his fame and that of his grandfather...he wanted to be famous for something but just never was. His whole life at home he was surrounded by "famous" people and then that ill fated night is taken to a party again of nothing but "famous" people and then he cracked. If meds were being changed should have been under medical watch in hospital. Be interested to see what drugs were in his system that night.

I also read that he was never actually clean and sober during the time of the interviews or the filming - pretty sure it was already discussed here when the whole California sober thng was being hashed over.

That very well could have played into his demeanor body language in the interviews - how stoned or drunk he was - and not wanting to be caught or outed for it. Maybe he was barely holding it together.

Its just a snippet of a long family saga and we don't have the full contest

Altho no doubt his Dad had a big personality

JMO

 

[Cedars]

He does but they will bring into focus “what was he at the time of the murder “ Will 20+ yrs of being a brat and non compliant matter ? ( for an insanity plea)

Thinking of another case in California, in that one the person may have had undiagnosed psychosis and the crime certainly suggested it.

The person stayed in jail for quite a while, as they do, while prosecution prepared their evidence, and turned it over to defense.

Defense put forth the argument that, even after a passage of time, the person was mentally incompetent to stand trial.

The prosecutors then applied for the judge to force the person to be treated in a mental hospital. Not as a final ruling, but just to return them to competence to stand trial.

I think, in this case, the first step would be to force NR to be sober for a lengthy time. Then, force him to receive a diagnosis and treatment in a mental hospital.

That would probably clarify whether he did have an underlying psychotic mental disorder, and he would be restored to mental health/sobriety.

At that point, it seems, the trial might go forward to determine his state of mind and circumstances at the time of the crime.

JMO

 

[BUF]

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.

His analogy at the end of the video about the little shop of horrors plant was perfect of how they will always suck you back in…..which sounds like what his parents were dealing with.

 

[SaraSmile]

I also read that he was never actually clean and sober during the time of the interviews or the filming - pretty sure it was already discussed here when the whole California sober thng was being hashed over.

That very well could have played into his demeanor body language in the interviews - how stoned or drunk he was - and not wanting to be caught or outed for it. Maybe he was barely holding it together.

Its just a snippet of a long family saga and we don't have the full contest

Altho no doubt his Dad had a big personality

JMO

In one of the videos of Ron Reiner, on STS, Ron said Nick was only sober for max 6 months, since 15.
I think Ron wanted to make the Movie “ being Charlie”, yes, to give Nick a sense of accomplishment, maybe even an entre into Hollywood, if well enough.
But, also, Ron desperately wanted to “ Lock In” Nick’s Sobriety date!
As we know, Nick didn’t stay sober.

 

[katydid23]

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.

I’m ok with either as long as Nick is put away for life in an institution. Too dangerous to be out in society.

But there is a problem with that^^^ statement-----One can NEVER be certain that a mental patient will be 'put away for life.'

The goal of the MH Hospital is to cure their patients. Their focus is upon therapists and various treatments and tweaking of medications. When the patient responds well, becomes rational and compliant, there is no reason to keep them anymore.

Even if they have been violent previously, a mental health hospital will release a patient who is currently rational and coherent.

 

[Sadi]

He does but they will bring into focus “what was he at the time of the murder “ Will 20+ yrs of being a brat and non compliant matter ? ( for an insanity plea)

I’m curious where Nick was planning to go to after leaving his hotel room? Was he just going to wander around until LE found him? Do you think he realized what he did? Or was he high on drugs and delusional? Did he show any signs of remorse at all? I know some of these questions we don’t know, but I just am wondering. I feel terrible for his family especially with the holidays coming up. If any of this was already discussed, I apologize, I’m trying to keep updated.

 

[ttjo]

I’m curious where Nick was planning to go to after leaving his hotel room? Was he just going to wander around until LE found him? Do you think he realized what he did? Or was he high on drugs and delusional? Did he show any signs of remorse at all? I know some of these questions we don’t know, but I just am wondering. I feel terrible for his family especially with the holidays coming up. If any of this was already discussed, I apologize, I’m trying to keep updated.

IDK, but if he was arrested outside that gas station an hour after he was seen on CCTv, what was he hanging around for? Im not sure if thats the same gas station someone local may know. And what is that area known for? ( I know I am speculating or call it confirmation bias)

 

[BUF]

It will be interesting to see what emerges on Jan 7….or will this be postponed again?

 

[ttjo]

It will be interesting to see what emerges on Jan 7….or will this be postponed again

DBM because I misread something,

 

[BUF]

It already has , someone posted in the main thread that it’s been moved to the 17th ( I think)

Thank you. I missed that.


ETA: Can’t find it in the news anywhere. Anyone have a link?

 

[Megnut]

But there is a problem with that^^^ statement-----One can NEVER be certain that a mental patient will be 'put away for life.'

The goal of the MH Hospital is to cure their patients. Their focus is upon therapists and various treatments and tweaking of medications. When the patient responds well, becomes rational and compliant, there is no reason to keep them anymore.

Even if they have been violent previously, a mental health hospital will release a patient who is currently rational and coherent.

Which is why IMO that, once (or if) someone is successfully treated in a mental hospital, they should be released to custody, to await trial.

He should be sent to a mental facility until he's shown to be competent. Then go to trial.

Like LV.

 

[Sundog]

dbm

It will be interesting to see what emerges on Jan 7….or will this be postponed again?

It could be postponed again if medical staff don't feel that he is competent, yet, to stand trial, enter a plea, etc. Maybe just a status hearing, if that is the case.

 

[ttjo]

Thank you. I missed that.


ETA: Can’t find it in the news anywhere. Anyone have a link?

I’ll go look for it. BRB

 

[Seattle1]

IDK, but if he was arrested outside that gas station an hour after he was seen on CCTv, what was he hanging around for? Im not sure if thats the same gas station someone local may know. And what is that area known for? ( I know I am speculating or call it confirmation bias)

I think the consensus is that NR traveled to the Expo Park/USC area to score drugs.

 

[BUF]

@BUF No you didnt miss anything , I read it wrong. They said the court changed the date to the 17, which was dec 17 the date he appeared, Im going to delete that post . Sorry
View attachment 632483

No worries….thank you for checking

 

[BUF]

I think the consensus is that NR traveled to the Expo Park/USC area to score drugs.

Yes, that was my impression as the gang and drug detectives were also assisting in his apprehension. It may have been a place he frequented before.

 

[SaraSmile]

But there is a problem with that^^^ statement-----One can NEVER be certain that a mental patient will be 'put away for life.'

The goal of the MH Hospital is to cure their patients. Their focus is upon therapists and various treatments and tweaking of medications. When the patient responds well, becomes rational and compliant, there is no reason to keep them anymore.

Even if they have been violent previously, a mental health hospital will release a patient who is currently rational and coherent.

Ok, I gotcha, yes, that’s a problem.

 

[MistyWaters]

IDK, but if he was arrested outside that gas station an hour after he was seen on CCTv, what was he hanging around for? Im not sure if thats the same gas station someone local may know. And what is that area known for? ( I know I am speculating or call it confirmation bias)

USA Today says it was a bus stop but also seems like an area where street drugs could be easily purchased.

Rob Reiner's final weekend, Conan O'Brien's party and unfathomable violence

Rob and Michele Reiner's final hours were spent with their son, Nick, who now is accused of killing them. Inside the final, chilling hours.

www.usatoday.com

Dressed in jeans and a green track jacket, a baseball hat covering his dark hair and a red backpack slung over his shoulders, he waited at the bus stop near Exposition Park, a place often filled with homeless people.

Alexis Hernandez, a security guard at the market, crossed paths with him. It was the beginning of a typical night shift as Nick exited.

"He acted normal," Hernandez says.

Nick cut across the street to the bus stop, where Los Angeles Metro Bus 204 could take him as far as Hollywood.

Hernandez watched as officers with the Los Angeles Police Department and U.S. Marshals Service descended on bustling South Vermont street, followed by USC police. The waning crescent moon hung overhead.

 

[Chimera]

'Going to go for the home run': Meet Nick Reiner's ambitious lawyer

Combining zealous courtroom advocacy with a deft media touch, Nick Reiner's defense lawyer, Alan Jackson, aims high in tough cases.

www.yahoo.com

Seasoned litigators say that if anyone can get Nick Reiner acquitted, it's Alan Jackson.

Combining zealous courtroom advocacy with a deft media touch, Jackson has a reputation for seeking big wins for his clients when other defense lawyers might try to cut a deal.

So even though his lawyer might be gunning for a full acquittal, Nick could be a danger if released; not only to others including his siblings, he could self-harm.

Nick Reiner should not be freed.
He should be in prison for the remainder of his days.
There is psychiatric help in prison and he may be a danger to everyone he believes has wronged him --if released.

I do not think Nick is completely insane all of the time as he has lucid moments even while high/not sober and was able to formulate a plan to get back into his parents home (& imo they had to have been somewhat wary in the past days, and afraid of their son ?) and slaughter both of them.
It has to be a person in a full on hate and rage to be able to use a knife to kill two adults.
The schizophrenic diagnosis seemed to pop up fairly soon after the murders, so it may or may not be accurate ?

IF Nick was being treated for schizophrenia before this, which some have opined in the media, the possibility of his doing street drugs at the same time may have negated or even exacerbated the effectiveness of his S. meds.

What's also egregious is that the money his dad and mom amassed after a life of accomplishment and hard work is now going to possibly pay towards getting their murderer off the hook.

This lawyer, Alan Jackson, may have an uphill road if he believes Nick should be fully acquitted and charges dropped ... as Nick's actions point to premeditation and rational behavior, including the washing off of blood at the hotel and placing sheets over the windows.

I wouldn't put it past this atty. to attempt to manipulate a defense and the potential jury, in favor of his client.
Wouldn't Alan Jackson be concerned that IF acquitted, nick could come after him if he felt A.J. did not do his job swiftly enough, or some other grievance ?
Omo.