Nick Reiner was reportedly diagnosed with schizophrenia before the gruesome murders of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, and the medications he was taking were allegedly making him act “erratic and dangerous.”
Sources told TMZ Friday that Nick, 32, had been under the care of a psychiatrist for mental illness, claiming that his behavior had become “alarming” in the weeks leading up to his parents’ stabbing deaths.
About a month before the killings, doctors reportedly changed Nick’s meds, at which point he became “out of his head.”
They were reportedly in the process of adjusting his meds to stabilize him when tragedy struck.
The medications he was taking were reportedly making him act “erratic and dangerous.”michelereiner/Instagram
Nick had recently received care at an expensive Los Angeles-based rehab facility that specializes in mental illness and substance abuse, according to the outlet, which noted that Nick’s substance abuse was worsening the schizophrenia.
He is reportedly expected to plead not guilty by reason of insanity.
Nick’s lawyer, famed criminal defense attorney Alan Jackson, did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
Nick, who lived in his parents’ guesthouse in Brentwood, has a history of violence and drug addiction. He has been to rehab almost 20 times and experienced bouts of homelessness.
On Sunday afternoon, Rob, who was 78, and Michele, who was 70, were found by their daughter, Romy Reiner, stabbed to death in their home, with sources claiming their throats had been slit.
The LA County Medical Examiner later confirmed that the couple died from “multiple sharp force injuries,” ruling that the manner was homicide.
Nick was arrested Sunday night near Exposition Park in Downtown LA after reportedly leaving behind bloody evidence at a hotel in Santa Monica.
He was originally booked in DTLA’s Parker Center Jail before being transferred to Twin Towers Correctional Facility, where he is being held without bail.
On Tuesday, he was charged with two counts of first-degree murder with a special circumstance of multiple murders.
Nick is facing a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty.
He made his first court appearance Wednesday. With disheveled hair, he remained stoic and somber throughout the hearing, looking straight ahead. He was shackled at both hands and feet and wore an anti-suicide smock.
Nick spoke only three words during his appearance to tell the judge, “Yes, your honor,” confirming that he was sure he wanted to waive his right to a fast arraignment.
