Nick Reiner diagnosed with schizophrenia

[rollin74]

LOS ANGELES — Nick Reiner was diagnosed with schizophrenia several years ago and his medication was changed or adjusted at some point before the killings of his parents, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the case.

A sealed medical order was signed Friday by the judge overseeing the case's initial stages. Nick Reiner, 32, is charged with two counts of murder in the deaths of his parents, renowned filmmaker Rob Reiner, 78, and Michele Singer Reiner, 70.

That sealed order may have to deal with Reiner’s mental health condition and treatment. The sources declined to discuss the contents of the order.

Reiner was being treated for a serious psychiatric disorder at the time of his parents’ murder, the three sources said.

He was diagnosed with schizophrenia several years ago and was treated with medication, the sources said. It’s not clear when his medication was changed.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/nick-reiner-was-diagnosed-schizophrenia-medication-was-adjusted-parent-rcna250176

[Silent Type]

1. Rightly or wrongly, think we are down to whether he spends rest of life in a psychiatric facility or prison.

It’s a sad situation all around, like a lot nowadays.

[rollin74]

2. I think you are correct

Obviously, this is going to present a major complication for any criminal prosecution.

very sad situation indeed

[fujiyamasan]

8. Either way he should never be let out

There’s been too many cases of untreated schizophrenics murdering others. I can think of at least a few in recent years, especially in New York City subways.

A lot of them had violent histories. I wouldn’t be surprised if this man had some incidents too.

Just very sad. What a horrific thing for the daughter to see her parents afterward. I can never understand this kind of violence.

[FascismIsDeath]

9. I believe his parents would want him somewhere that actually treats his illness...

...I'm not sure that means he gets to totally escape what he did but I completely believe Rob Reiner would have wanted his son committed somewhere that deals well with patients that have his condition.

[murielm99]

3. I thought schizophrenics were rarely violent

and seldom killed. I hate to see this used as a reason for the murders. It will be harmful to people who are seeking help for a serious mental disorder.

[H2O Man]

5. There are several types.

So far as up to when I retired, paranoid schizophrenics were the only type associated with violence. All other types are far, far more likely to be the victim of violence that to be violent.

[NNadir]

10. I had a schizophrenic housemate when I was a young man. I met him when he was in a brief remission. He was kind...

...intelligent, talented and had a great sense of humor until the disease came on again.

He killed himself.

I so wish there was a cure.

[H2O Man]

4. Recommended.

Last edited Sat Dec 20, 2025, 04:39 AM - Edit history (1)

I think quite a few of us thought that Nick had co-occurring disorders that involved a major mental illness and substance abuse/addiction. Thirty years ago, when I co-facilitated the county's MICA (mentally ill, chemical abuse) groups, it was important to recognize that both are diseases with relapse. No one signs up for either status, much less both.

One of the reasons that I think our society is so troubled by this case is because somewhere in most people's extended family there has been or is someone dealing with these issues. Or in their workplace, or maybe neighborhood. And if it's close in your family -- a child or sibling, for example -- it's a tough row to hoe.

[Cha]

6. TY.. How unbearably heartbreaking

for their kids, Jak e and Romy especially, and all who were close to Rob and Michelle Reiner. 💙

[flamingdem]

7. Schizophrenia is usually diagnosed earlier

That's why this seems odd. Wondering if the drugs addled his mind to the point that he sounded schizophrenic. The expensive psychiatrists did not get it right in multiple ways, perhaps.

Have seen that before..

[GreatGazoo]

11. "In the news, poor people are just criminals but rich people always have excuses."

Overheard that on a bus. Two guys discussing a news article or two. It stuck with me because it is true about the way news articles are written.

The truth is there are always reasons, always something in hindsight regardless of income.

We struggle to make sense out of the unfairness of life. It is part of grieving: denial, anger, sadness, bargaining, acceptance. It is not new. That Aeschylus quote that RFK used after MLK Jr's assassination is from 2500 BCE but it maps directly to 5 phases of grief that Elizabeth Kübler-Ross popularized:

In our sleep, (DENIAL)
pain which cannot forget (ANGER)
falls drop by drop upon the heart until, in our own despair, (SADNESS)
against our will (BARGAINING),
comes wisdom through the awful grace of God." (ACCEPTANCE)