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

[Jade]

I find this very interesting, if true, that Nick’s complaint about weight gain( from meds), was the catalyst for the crime. Cascading affects. The med that caused weight gain was somewhat effective (but caused weight gain). The Dr accommodated Nick, by trying a less effective psych med, to curb weight gain.

Not justifying, Nick may have been very upset about losing his younger body, good looks, maybe comparing with Hollywood standards.

Not justifying, Maybe he longingly thought about earlier, better days slipping away, but couldn’t get back there, the glimmer of hope was constantly dashed. Both his body and his mind were “failing” him. This made him frustrated and desperate for a solution.

Not justifying or victim shaming! Maybe his parents insisted he take the meds, stay stable( as of 9/25?), if he wanted to live in the guest house in Brentwood (Good boundaries on their part). Not sure how they would enforce an adult taking meds?

Maybe this upset Nick, he felt trapped in his own body and mind, helpless, because he knew he couldn’t survive without his parents safety net. He despised Himself for relying on his parents, plus continuing mental illness and street drug use, further twisted his thinking.

Not justifying, Maybe, He had a pattern of taking his anger out on his kind parents, who were always “safe” people, he could show his true self, take his anger out on them, they always understood, helped him recover. (not talking about manipulation here, more like an end of the rope situation).

In the end, he got off the effective meds, lost his mind, and killed the parents who so lovingly tried to save him. Very sad.

MOO

That's perceptive about the contribution of the weight gain aspect of the medications in this tragedy.

Nick was said to have looked like a GQ model.

>>>
Markowitz, a friend of the Reiners, called them a "stronger than strong" close-knit family. He says he used to stay with the family whenever he was in Los Angeles.

Markowitz painted a different picture of Nick Reiner.

He recalled a young man who loved basketball and had traveled to Europe to learn more about his family's Jewish roots. He says he saw Nick and the family in L.A. just 10 days ago.

"[Nick] was going through some rough times for many years, but his soul was so pure and gentle," Markowitz said. "He was on the upswing. Looked like a GQ model. I wish I could give you a tidbit or something, like 'oh, he looked bad and this and that'-- he didn't. That's what's so spooky about mental illness."
NPR

Article with more information on the medications that cause weight gain in Psychiatric treatment:
>>>
Clinical studies indicate that a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome exists in individuals afflicted with serious mental illnesses, particularly those with schizophrenia. In addition, psychotropic agents, including antipsychotic medications and antidepressants, have been found to be associated with substantial weight-gain (Newcomer, 2007).
>>>
The strength of the causal relationship between antipsychotic drug exposure and weight-gain can be assessed using a drugs trial conducted with antipsychotic-naive patients. Tarricone and colleagues (2009) reviewed 11 studies reporting the effects of antipsychotic drugs on body weight in patients naïve to antipsychotic drugs. The mean values of weight-gain in these patients were highly significant from the first few weeks of treatment. The sample averaged around 3.8 kg in gained weight and an increase of 1.2 in body mass index (BMI). Thus, weight-gain associated with antipsychotic drug treatment appears to occur rapidly in the first few weeks and continue during the following months (Tarricone et al.. 2009).
>>>>
It may be more difficult to treat obesity in individuals who have gained weight as a result of antipsychotic treatment as their medication increases appetite and produces fatigue and the illness itself decreases motivation and social activities (Centorrino et al. 2006).
Weight-Gain in Psychiatric Treatment: Risks, Implications, and Strategies for Prevention and Management - PMC


Thank you for sharing your insight about medications, their interactions, side effects and resulting issues it adds greatly to the conversation.
All imo

 

[Izzylizzy]

 

[tlcya]

I find this very interesting, if true, that Nick’s complaint about weight gain( from meds), was the catalyst for the crime. Cascading affects. The med that caused weight gain was somewhat effective (but caused weight gain). The Dr accommodated Nick, by trying a less effective psych med, to curb weight gain.

Not justifying, Nick may have been very upset about losing his younger body, good looks, maybe comparing with Hollywood standards.

Not justifying, Maybe he longingly thought about earlier, better days slipping away, but couldn’t get back there, the glimmer of hope was constantly dashed. Both his body and his mind were “failing” him. This made him frustrated and desperate for a solution.

Not justifying or victim shaming! Maybe his parents insisted he take the meds, stay stable( as of 9/25?), if he wanted to live in the guest house in Brentwood (Good boundaries on their part). Not sure how they would enforce an adult taking meds?

Maybe this upset Nick, he felt trapped in his own body and mind, helpless, because he knew he couldn’t survive without his parents safety net. He despised Himself for relying on his parents, plus continuing mental illness and street drug use, further twisted his thinking.

Not justifying, Maybe, He had a pattern of taking his anger out on his kind parents, who were always “safe” people, he could show his true self, take his anger out on them, they always understood, helped him recover. (not talking about manipulation here, more like an end of the rope situation).

In the end, he got off the effective meds, lost his mind, and killed the parents who so lovingly tried to save him. Very sad.

MOO

people on anti psychotic meds do face weight gain, diabetes, liver damage, heart damage and a host of other unappealing side effects. That is why bloodwork is done periodically and check ins with psychiatrist, to monitor things like weight gain and liver enzyme levels.

While doctors IMO would have taken NR's concerns into consideration, no responsible pyschiatrist would completely change a patients meds due to their complaint alone. I am still confused as to who thought these medication changes could or should be done while in the wild (community) as opposed to a medical facility. That is IMO NOT SOP.

 

[Izzylizzy]

people on anti psychotic meds do face weight gain, diabetes, liver damage, heart damage and a host of other unappealing side effects. That is why bloodwork is done periodically and check ins with psychiatrist, to monitor things like weight gain and liver enzyme levels.

While doctors IMO would have taken NR's concerns into consideration, no responsible pyschiatrist would completely change a patients meds due to their complaint alone. I am still confused as to who thought these medication changes could or should be done while in teh wild (community) as opposed to a medical facility. That is IMO NOT SOP.

The weight gain is the latest defense coming from Harvey @TMZ so naturally it's "NOT SOP".

We all know it's via AJ.

 

[Walela]

people on anti psychotic meds do face weight gain, diabetes, liver damage, heart damage and a host of other unappealing side effects. That is why bloodwork is done periodically and check ins with psychiatrist, to monitor things like weight gain and liver enzyme levels.

While doctors IMO would have taken NR's concerns into consideration, no responsible pyschiatrist would completely change a patients meds due to their complaint alone. I am still confused as to who thought these medication changes could or should be done while in the wild (community) as opposed to a medical facility. That is IMO NOT SOP.

I agree that people on anti psychotic meds face weight gain. I'll add that people on several types of meds face weight gain also. Doctors of all types monitor their patients while on medications. Lab tests are the norm for checking liver, kidneys, etc but the majority of medication tolerance and/or intolerance comes from the patient. We have no way of knowing what NR reported to his doctor after the medication change. He could have reported everything was just peachy. I seriously doubt he told his doctor he was spiraling out of control or any other negative effect that could land him in a hospital environment. NR could have asked for a medication change so he would have an excuse to do what he had wanted to do for a long long time. If he was so stable and on such an even keel and did what he did, there would be no option for a NGRI defence and I trust that he is smart enough to figure that out. Just my opinion.

 

[tlcya]

I agree that people on anti psychotic meds face weight gain. I'll add that people on several types of meds face weight gain also. Doctors of all types monitor their patients while on medications. Lab tests are the norm for checking liver, kidneys, etc but the majority of medication tolerance and/or intolerance comes from the patient. We have no way of knowing what NR reported to his doctor after the medication change. He could have reported everything was just peachy. I seriously doubt he told his doctor he was spiraling out of control or any other negative effect that could land him in a hospital environment. NR could have asked for a medication change so he would have an excuse to do what he had wanted to do for a long long time. If he was so stable and on such an even keel and did what he did, there would be no option for a NGRI defence and I trust that he is smart enough to figure that out. Just my opinion.

Any thoughts on reports that he underwent this medication change at home and not under close medical supervision? My family member was told that in order to come off his current meds and try new ones it would have to be done in a hospital setting so he could be closely observed. I as healthcare POA was present to hear it. We were told that is SOP

Because, yeah, psych patients are not reliable historians and their accounts of things being peachy are not to be trusted.

 

[arielilane]

A bit of a read, but worth it. imo

In Memoriam: Remembering Rob Reiner - LAmag

A lookback on the life, love and last weekend of life for Hollywood legend and Angeleno Rob Reiner, who died Dec. 14.

lamag.com

1/2/2026

 

[Walela]

Any thoughts on reports that he underwent this medication change at home and not under close medical supervision? My family member was told that in order to come off his current meds and try new ones it would have to be done in a hospital setting so he could be closely observed. I as healthcare POA was present to hear it. We were told that is SOP

Because, yeah, psych patients are not reliable historians and their accounts of things being peachy are not to be trusted.

There's so much information that's being spoon fed I only know the shape of the spoon. I'm only hearing one side and none of the questions I have about that side are being answered. Weight gain??? How much weight did he gain? What did he do to try and mitigate that weight gain? Did it happen overnight or gradually? Did the physician write out a script after an office visit or was this done by phone? I'll probably not get any answers until something comes out at trial. That is if there is a trial.

 

[Arkay]

There's so much information that's being spoon fed I only know the shape of the spoon. I'm only hearing one side and none of the questions I have about that side are being answered. Weight gain??? How much weight did he gain? What did he do to try and mitigate that weight gain? Did it happen overnight or gradually? Did the physician write out a script after an office visit or was this done by phone? I'll probably not get any answers until something comes out at trial. That is if there is a trial.

The only source that I heard this from is Harvey Levin on his TMZ special report on the Reiners.

He did state that the reason NR wanted to change his meds is because of the weight gain.

He didn’t mention any of the particulars that you rightly inquire about, but it’s very obvious that Nick had gained a lot of weight and looked quite different than in his younger pictures.

I said way back on the thread somewhere that IMO he used to look more like Michele, defined jaw, slim face, but in the latest pictures he looked more like Rob.

Who knows if that was the sole reason for changing meds, though? It’s hard to imagine a doctor allowing such a drastic change in treatment based on this alone.

JMO

 

[Jade]

“Weight-gain in psychiatric populations is a common clinical challenge. Many patients suffering from mental disorders, when exposed to psychotropic medications, gain significant weight with or without other side-effects. In addition to reducing the patients’ willingness to comply with treatment, this weight-gain may create added psychological or physiological problems that need to be addressed. Thus, it is critical that clinicians take precautions to monitor and control weight-gain and take into account and treat all problems facing an individual.”

“With long-term treatment, however, psychiatric patients may gain a significant amount of weight, possibly reducing their willingness to comply with treatment. Additionally, this weight-gain may create added psychological or physiological problems that need to be addressed.”

“Weight-gain also seems to be greater in first onset patients due to their lack of prior antipsychotic treatment and the weight-gain associated with these treatments (Haddad, 2005). Fortunately, it does seem that weight-gain resulting from antipsychotics occurs primarily during the first two years of treatment and then levels off (Silverstone et al. 1988, Allison, 2009).”

“Unfortunately, many patients choose to discontinue medication due to long-term side effects resulting from these drugs, one of which is weight-gain (Moller, 2008).”


Weight-Gain in Psychiatric Treatment: Risks, Implications, and Strategies for Prevention and Management - PMC

All imo

 

[Izzylizzy]

Any thoughts on reports that he underwent this medication change at home and not under close medical supervision? My family member was told that in order to come off his current meds and try new ones it would have to be done in a hospital setting so he could be closely observed. I as healthcare POA was present to hear it. We were told that is SOP

Because, yeah, psych patients are not reliable historians and their accounts of things being peachy are not to be trusted.

Nick was special and rules/guidelines did not apply and since RR said his mistake was listening to the "professionals" NR called the shots.

btw: We don't even know if there was a medication change and if there was the reason for doing so.

 

[BUF]

Billy Bush interviewed Alan Jackson on Hot Mics with Billy Bush. He really pressed him on who hired him, but AJ would not divulge who.

 

[MistyWaters]

There's so much information that's being spoon fed I only know the shape of the spoon. I'm only hearing one side and none of the questions I have about that side are being answered. Weight gain??? How much weight did he gain? What did he do to try and mitigate that weight gain? Did it happen overnight or gradually? Did the physician write out a script after an office visit or was this done by phone? I'll probably not get any answers until something comes out at trial. That is if there is a trial.

I thought the timing was a tad too coincidental, I don’t think I’m dreaming this. I watched a video with Dr Drew interviewed and he was asked the question, what might cause a patient to request anti-psychotic type medication to be changed. He gave some samples including weight gain. It was the next day TMZ is pumping the story from an unnamed source that NR’s meds were changed due to weight gain. Frankly, I’m sceptical.
JMO

 

[MistyWaters]

<modsnip: Quoted post was removed> ... it’s possible AJ was hired by one of RRs siblings, aware that AJ had done some work for RR in the past. Not necessarily to take this case through a lengthy trial dealing with the question of mental culpability, but to ensure NR’s arrest and incarceration was appropriate, safe and respectful, for example as opposed to being placed in the general population of a jail. As he was placed in Tower 2’s high-observation mental health unit at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility while awaiting trial, it would seem that was accomplished without AJs intervention.
JMO

 

[LadyL]

Any thoughts on reports that he underwent this medication change at home and not under close medical supervision? My family member was told that in order to come off his current meds and try new ones it would have to be done in a hospital setting so he could be closely observed. I as healthcare POA was present to hear it. We were told that is SOP

Because, yeah, psych patients are not reliable historians and their accounts of things being peachy are not to be trusted.

I think we would need to hear from doctors in that area as to what their SOP is. It's certainly not SOP where I live based on personl experience.

 

[Izzylizzy]

Harvey's latest with Dr. Drew after TMZ's special aired.

Drew said he thinks it was methamphetamines and not the change of meds.
He said he still keeps saying that over and over because of the level of violence.

Poor Harvey, he looks deflated at the end of the video because he'd been AJ's water boy for NR and was the one who ran with the weight gain claims after Drew was the first one to mentioned it and then Harvey found (supposedly) someone to confirm the meds were changed because of weight gain and kept pushing the new meds as the cause for NR slaughtering his parents.
imo



@ 5:29

 

[everlearning]

Thank you for sharing this. Very compelling. I have felt from the beginning that family dynamics played a big roll in this. It's hard to discuss because, to some, its victim shaming. How Nick perceived his family dynamics is important. I'm very interested in future episodes where he goes into even more depth in family dynamics. These dynamics don't excuse this cold-blooded murder. It might help explain the intense rage that was displayed in his parents murder. Nick's perception is his perception-- right or wrong.

 

[Megnut]

Toxic hope explains so much.

 

[Betty P]

Thank you for sharing this. Very compelling. I have felt from the beginning that family dynamics played a big roll in this. It's hard to discuss because, to some, its victim shaming. How Nick perceived his family dynamics is important. I'm very interested in future episodes where he goes into even more depth in family dynamics. These dynamics don't excuse this cold-blooded murder. It might help explain the intense rage that was displayed in his parents murder. Nick's perception is his perception-- right or wrong.

I tend to ignore these kinds of diagnoses when the expert has never met or treated any of the parties involved. I wouldn't pay attention to a physician who did this, nor would I for a psychologist.

 

[everlearning]

I tend to ignore these kinds of diagnoses when the expert has never met or treated any of the parties involved. I wouldn't pay attention to a physician who did this, nor would I for a psychologist.

What you say is true. But I still believe that by using Nick and Rob's own interviews -- own words, written and video, a professional can get some sense of their family dynamics. Or their perception of them