Nick Reiner, the son of acclaimed Hollywood director Rob Reiner, had recently changed his medication in the weeks leading up to the alleged fatal stabbing of his parents, a court has heard.
Details of the Alleged Crime
The bodies of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were discovered in their Brentwood family home on 14 December. Both had suffered fatal stab wounds. Their son, Nick Reiner, was subsequently charged with their murders.
During recent proceedings, it was revealed that the 27-year-old had been under a mental health conservatorship between 2020 and 2021. Sources close to the case confirmed that Reiner has diagnoses of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.
Legal Proceedings and Representation
Nick Reiner appeared in court this week, where it emerged his previous legal representative had withdrawn from the case. His lawyer, Alan Jackson, cited "circumstances beyond our control" as the reason for stepping down, though he maintained his client's innocence.
As a result, Reiner will now be represented by a public defender. He is scheduled to be formally arraigned on 23 February, where he will enter a plea to the double murder charges.
Background and Ongoing Investigation
The case has sent shockwaves through the entertainment community and beyond, given Rob Reiner's stature as the director of classic films such as When Harry Met Sally and A Few Good Men. The family's Brentwood home, an affluent area of Los Angeles, has become the focal point of a complex investigation intertwining mental health history with violent crime.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the precise circumstances that led to the tragic deaths. The revelation about the change in medication is expected to be a significant factor as both the prosecution and the new defence team build their cases ahead of the February court date.
