Rob and Michele Reportedly Warned About Nick Reiner's 'Erratic' Behavior Weeks Before Murders

Rob and Michele Reiner were reportedly warned by medical staff not to let their son, Nick Reiner, live at their Brentwood home after a medication change, weeks before the couple were stabbed to death in December 2025.

CNN reported the acclaimed filmmaker, 78, and his wife, 70, were found dead on 14 December 2025, with their cause of death ruled 'multiple sharp force injuries', and the killings came hours after the couple attended a Christmas party with friends. A source told that in the weeks before the deaths, Nick Reiner, 32, fired his psychiatrist and changed medication because it 'weren't working anymore'.

Nick Reiner And The Warning About 'Erratic' Behaviour

'The late filmmaker, 78, and his wife, 70, were told it might not be a good idea to allow Nick to "stay at their home" immediately after the med switch, as he could "exhibit even more erratic behavior" as his body adjusted to the change,' the source explained to Us Weekly on 4 March.

A second insider echoed the same message. Medical staff 'warned Rob and Michele not to let Nick live at home until he got his medication straightened out'.

Despite the warnings, Nick Reiner was living in a guesthouse on the family's Brentwood property at the time of their deaths, a source previously told CNN.

Nick Reiner was also diagnosed in 2020 with schizoaffective disorder, a condition that can combine hallucinations, delusions and severe mood swings. A few weeks before the alleged murders, he is said to have asked his doctor for help with weight gain, a common side‑effect of some psychiatric drugs. According to the reports, his physician responded by changing his pills.

Nick Reiner And His Parents Protection

Friends quoted by People magazine have stressed that, up until the end, Rob and Michele Reiner were still attempting to keep their son within reach rather than push him away.

'They tried everything — giving him space, keeping him close — but his struggles are so deep. It's just a parent's worst nightmare,' one source said last year. 'They were such lovely people, and tried in every way to help their son.'

The couple reportedly took Nick with them to Conan O'Brien's Christmas party the night before they were killed. The When Harry Met Sally filmmaker and his wife are said to have brought him along partly so they could keep an eye on him.

According to accounts relayed to the press, the evening did not stay calm. The three allegedly became embroiled in an intense argument during the party and left abruptly.

Nick Reiner In Court And The Possible 'Death Penalty'

Daily Mail reported that Nick Reiner appeared in court on 23 February and pleaded not guilty to two counts of first degree murder. His next hearing is scheduled for 29 April.

After that hearing, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Nick Reiner would be 'eligible' for the death penalty if found guilty. Hochman described a 'very rigorous process' inside the district attorney's office to determine whether capital punishment should be sought, saying experienced staff would help him evaluate information as it is gathered.

TMZ reported that Nick Reiner's siblings are not currently speaking to him as he awaits trial. 'Last I heard, the family has not been in communication with Nick,' the first source said. 'They just cannot handle that at the moment', the source added.