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

[Luna20]

It's fascinating to me, that this 2o minute pilot for the Dick Van Dyke Show was all based upon Father/Son relations.

It was written by Carl Reiner and based upon his own relationship with Rob Reiner. And the trials and tribulations were very much like Rob and Nick's issues.

In the pilot, young Rob had emotional issues around his feelings about his father, the famous comedy writer. Young Rob was upset that his father never threw the ball with him like other friend's dads, and he never went to see his little league games on Sundays. His father Carl said " I can't--my show is filmed every Sunday."

Young Rob routinely hid in closets and refused to come out when he was upset at his Dad. He told his Mom that he didnt like Dad. His Dad's first instinct when discussing what to do was " I will have to buy him a pony. Later in the show he said " Maybe I'll have to buy him a sportscar." So Dad's reaction to not being loved is to bribe him.

His wife said "you cannot rekindle his love with bribery."

The Dad was so surprised when his son said " I don't like you, Daddy."
He said to his wife " how could he not like me. Everyone loves me. Every week 30 million people enjoy things I wrote ..."

So the theme was right there between Grandpa Carl and Rob Reiner. And we saw it play out again with Rob and his son Nick.

So glad you found this Katy. This was talked about and I don’t recall what network covered it but this is more detailed. It puts a different spin on it. I’m not saying that Nick isn’t responsible but it offers some insight into the big picture.

 

[katydid23]

So glad you found this Katy. This was talked about and I don’t recall what network covered it but this is more detailed. It puts a different spin on it. I’m not saying that Nick isn’t responsible but it offers some insight into the big picture.

Yes, it kind of helped me understand Rob's tendencies towards just rewarding Nick's behaviour. It seems that Rob learned from his own father that one could show love by offering gifts and being generous. He stuck by that even when Nick was wild and unruly because it was the way his Dad showed him love?

 

[Chimera]

I truly feel for the victims in this case whom it seemed were at their wit's end ?

Thanks for painting a larger picture, @katydid23 .

 

[Dotta]

If he is suffering from schizophrenia
it seems to me these rehabs were not adequate to treat him.

They help addicts, sure,
but not severely mentally ill people.

The right place for such cases are only psychiatric hospitals with MH specialists,
meaning psychiatrists.

JMO

 

[katydid23]

If he is suffering from schizophrenia
it seems to me these rehabs were not adequate to treat him.

They help addicts, sure,
but not severely mentally ill people.

The right place for such cases are only psychiatric hospitals with MH specialists,
meaning psychiatrists.

JMO

Which came first? The Schizophrenia or the drug abuse?

I don't think he was schizophrenic as a child. Or as a teen. I think there is a possibility that he began abusing hard drugs first and then had drug induced schizoid episodes. IMO

There are many studies showing that even heavy marijuana use can trigger schizophrenia. Pot these days is so much stronger than the old kind we smoked 40 and 50 years ago. It is sooooooo much stronger now.

 

[katydid23]

Which came first? The Schizophrenia or the drug abuse?

I don't think he was schizophrenic as a child. Or as a teen. I think there is a possibility that he began abusing hard drugs first and then had drug induced schizoid episodes. IMO

There are many studies showing that even heavy marijuana use can trigger schizophrenia. Pot these days is so much stronger than the old kind we smoked 40 and 50 years ago. It is sooooooo much stronger now.

Behind the Smoke: Unmasking the Link Between Cannabis and Schizophrenia

The link between cannabis and its effects on mental health, particularly schizophrenia, continues to spark debate. While many tout marijuana’s calming effects,

medicine.yale.edu

More Than Just a High: The Cannabis-Schizophrenia Link​

Beyond the “high” associated with marijuana, many users report paranoia or hallucinations while under the influence. This is due to the active component, Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC binds to receptors in the brain and triggers a series of reactions in brain cells. Typically, these effects fade after the high wears off, but in some cases, they may last longer, leading to what’s known as cannabis-induced psychosis.

In high-risk individuals, cannabis can disrupt brain development and lead to conditions like schizophrenia—a severe mental illness characterized by long-term hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. A Finnish study of 18,000 individuals with cannabis-induced psychosis found that nearly 50% were later diagnosed with schizophrenia (1). Other studies confirm that regular use, especially of high-potency



Heavy, frequent, and high-potency marijuana use is strongly associated with an increased risk of developing schizophrenia
and other psychotic disorders, particularly in vulnerable individuals or young adults. Studies indicate that regular, high-potency cannabis use can increase schizophrenia risk by four times, and it may cause earlier onset of the illness.


Key details regarding the link between heavy marijuana use and schizophrenia include:
Dose-Response Relationship: More frequent use of higher-potency cannabis products is associated with a greater risk of developing schizophrenia.

Vulnerable Populations: Adolescents and young adults (especially young men) with cannabis use disorder face the highest risks.

Impact on the Brain: Marijuana use, particularly high-THC content, can interfere with adolescent brain development and alter dopamine-related brain signals, acting as a catalyst for psychosis.

Evidence of Link: A 2023 study found that as many as 30% of schizophrenia cases in men aged 21-30 might be associated with cannabis use disorder.

Not Sole Cause: While a significant environmental risk factor, schizophrenia is multifactorial, and marijuana usually acts in conjunction with genetic predisposition.

 

[LadyL]

I believe the schizophrenia came first. And then illegal drugs and alcohol were used to self-medicate. Of course they exasperated his condition and interfered with any legal medications he was on. JMO.