A sealed and confidential medical order was recently signed by the judge overseeing the initial stages of Nick Reiner’s m*rder prosecution that might have to do with the 32-year-old’s mental health condition and treatment. It could also add more delays to the legal proceedings.
Three sources with direct knowledge of the case declined to discuss the order’s contents. However, it was confirmed to NBC4 Investigates that Nick Reiner was being treated for schizophrenia when his parents were killed. The sources of the outlet noted that Reiner was diagnosed years ago with schizophrenia and was being treated with medication.
They noted that Nick Reiner’s medication was changed or adjusted before the killings, but did not provide a more specific time frame.
Two of the sources also confirmed that, as of Friday, the murder weapon had not been found. However, they said it was of limited investigative value given other evidence and statements to authorities.
The medical examiner said the deaths were caused by a sharp object. The coroner’s office ruled the couple’s manner of death was homicide, caused by “multiple sharp force injuries.”
On Tuesday, Nick Reiner was charged with first-degree murder in the killings of Rob, and Michele Reiner, whose bodies were found Sunday inside their home. The charges include a special circumstances allegation of multiple murders and an additional allegation that Reiner used a knife in the killings, which took place sometime early Sunday morning.
Nick Reiner was also arrested hours later in Exposition Park, south of downtown LA and about 15 miles southeast of Brentwood.
Special circumstances elevate a murder charge to a more severe level. The charges carry the potential for a possible death sentence, if prosecutors pursue capital punishment.
Nick Reiner was the second of the couple’s three children. The deaths of Rob Reiner, a celebrated director whose long list of successful films included “When Harry Met Sally…,” “A Few Good Men” and “This Is Spinal Tap,” and Michele Reiner, a talented photographer and producer, stunned the Hollywood community and led to an outpouring of tributes from entertainment industry colleagues, political figures and more. The family’s challenges Nick were well-documented, including battles with drug addiction.
In 2015, Rob and Nick Reiner collaborated on a coming-of-age film titled “Being Charlie.” Directed by Rob Reiner and co-written by Nick Reiner, the film explored the relationship between a son and father. In a 2016 interview with the Associated Press, they talked about the film.
“It forced us to understand ourselves better than we had,” Rob Reiner told the AP. “I told Nick while we were making it, I said, ‘You know it doesn’t matter, whatever happens to this thing, we won already. This has already been good.’ We’ve worked through a lot of stuff.”
