Attorneys for Nick Reiner, the son of filmmaker Rob Reiner and author Michele Reiner, are considering an insanity plea as the case enters its early legal stages and new details surface about his mental health. According to Fox News, Reiner’s defense attorney confirmed that an insanity plea is being weighed as the case moves into the discovery phase. The discussion comes after reports that Nick Reiner had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and had recently begun new medication before the killings.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Reiner had been prescribed medication that is commonly used to treat schizophrenia in the weeks before his parents’ deaths. This change of medication could become pivotal for both the prosecutors and the defense.
Nick Reiner Was Being Treated For Schizophrenia pic.twitter.com/ItW5Ksg8go
— Eric Deters (@bulllaw) December 22, 2025
Nick Reiner been placed on suicide watch while in custody, according to Enid Live. The fact that professionals regard him as being high risk for harming himself reflects his mental state following the charges. Jail officials have not released additional details because of inmate privacy rules.
People magazine also exclusively shared that Rob and Michele Reiner had apparently tried to help their son for years. “They loved him deeply and tried to support him,” the source said. They added that Nick “didn’t take their help seriously.”
Update on the murder of Rob and Michele Reiner.
Nick Reiner was diagnosed with schizophrenia several years ago. Recently, his medication was changed or adjusted before the killings of his parents, which authorities claim made him erratic.
This will be an important key to his… pic.twitter.com/SG0WSO3woW
— Ana’s Writing Nook (@AnaBredenberg) December 22, 2025
The Washington Post highlighted the tragedy of the case given Nick Reiner’s past work with his father on the 2015 film “Being Charlie.” The movie explored mental illness and addiction through the story of a young man struggling to stay grounded. In the film, Nick Reiner’s character speaks openly about feeling overwhelmed by his own mind. At the time, critics described this theme as an unusually candid portrayal of mental health struggles. Since their deaths, people are showing a renewed interest in the movie and its themes.
If the defense were to pursue an insanity plea, the defense would need to prove that Nick Reiner couldn’t understand the nature of his actions. They would also need to show that he couldn’t distinguish right from wrong at the time of the killings. The high burden of proof would rely heavily on medical records, expert testimony, and Nick’s diagnosis and treatment timelines. Prosecutors haven’t commented on the potential defense strategy. Instead, court filings have so far focused on procedural matters.
“Rob & Michele Reiner’s Son Nick Is In Solitary Confinement & Remains On Suicide Watch After Murders — Checked On ‘Every 15 Minutes’” – Perez Hilton #SmartNews why the special treatment, cause he’s rich? @FBI https://t.co/czBoxGzcEt
— Susan Scandone (@SusanScandone) December 22, 2025
The death of the Reiners has many people talking severe mental illness, treatment gaps, and family responsibility. Netizens have also pointed out the difficulty families face when an adult loved one refuses treatment. The issue becomes worse when the mental health issue is severe.
Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner were both well-known public figures, and their chilling death has grabbed the attention of the public. Friends and colleagues have described the couple as deeply committed to their family and to causes related to education, health, and social justice.
Nick Reiner’s documented mental health history may well become a leading factor in the case. But for now, the death of Michele and Rob Reiner, and the role their son could have played in it continues to raise difficult questions without any easy answers.
