Nick Reiner Had Schizophrenia, Meds May Have Fueled Dangerous Behavior Before Tragedy Reports Claim

Nick Reiner, the 32-year-old son of late director Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner, was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and sources tell TMZ that the medications he was taking in the weeks before the tragic murders made him “erratic and dangerous.”

According to two sources with direct knowledge, Nick had been under the care of a psychiatrist and his behavior had become “alarming” in the month leading up to December 14.

He had recently stayed at a Los Angeles rehab facility specializing in mental illness and substance abuse, which reportedly charges $70,000 a month and serves children of wealthy families.

Sources say that three to four weeks before the murders, doctors adjusted his medications in an attempt to stabilize him, but it had the opposite effect. “Nick was out of his head,” one source told TMZ. His substance abuse was also worsening his condition, making him more unpredictable.

Nick Reiner has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder following the stabbing deaths of his parents at their Brentwood home. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed both deaths were caused by multiple sharp force injuries. Nick was arrested the same evening and appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday, with an arraignment set for January 7, 2026.

Reports indicate that the night before the murders, there was a verbal argument at a holiday party. According to a source, Rob Reiner had expressed fear of his son shortly before the tragedy. The Daily Mail reports that at Conan O’Brien’s holiday party on December 13, Rob allegedly told a guest, “I’m petrified of [Nick]. I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I’m afraid of my son. I think my own son can hurt me.”

Guests at the event described Nick’s behavior as alarming. “Nick was freaking everyone out, acting crazy, kept asking people if they were famous,” a source told People. Another source told Us Weekly that his actions were “creepy.”

Nick has a long history of personal struggles, including substance abuse and multiple rehab stints. As a teenager, he reportedly went through treatment 18 times for heroin and cocaine addiction.

In 2015, he co-wrote the film Being Charlie, based on his life experiences and his relationship with his father, which Rob Reiner directed. Sources say the project helped him reconnect with his father. At the time of the murders, Nick was living with his parents.

Rob and Michele Reiner’s memorial service was held at Albert Brooks’ Los Angeles mansion and was attended by friends including Billy Crystal, Larry David, Bill Hader, and Conan O’Brien. Guests were reportedly emotional, especially hearing about Rob’s final words regarding his son.

This heartbreaking case shines a light on the challenges families face when dealing with severe mental illness and substance abuse. It also serves as a reminder of how serious untreated or poorly managed mental health conditions can become.

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