Nick Reiner, who isfacing murder chargesin the killings of his parentsRob and Michele Reiner, was being treated for mental illness prior to the couple's deaths, according to reports.
The 32-year-old screenwriter, the middle child of the acclaimed Hollywood director and his wife, has been prescribed medication forschizophrenia, according to two sources who spoke toThe Los Angeles Times.NBC News, citing three sources, reported that Reiner had been diagnosed with the mental health disorder years ago and was being treated for a "serious psychiatric disorder" at the time of the alleged crime.
Reiner's medication was "changed or adjusted" shortly before the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner, according to the NBC News report. The name of the drug and the exact timeline of when Reiner was given the prescription or adjustments were made are not known.
USA TODAY has reached out to Reiner's attorney for comment.
Rob Reiner, Michele Singer, Romy Reiner, Nick Reiner, Maria Gilfillan and Jake Reiner at "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" Los Angeles premiere on Sept. 9, 2025." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Actor Tracy Reiner (second from left), honorees Carl Reiner and Rob Reiner, actor Michele Singer Reiner, writer Nick Reiner, and Romy Reiner attend the Carl and Rob Reiner Hand and Footprint Ceremony during the 2017 TCM Classic Film Festival on April 7, 2017 in Los Angeles." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Director Rob Reiner and family arrive at the premiere of "Rumor Has It" at the Grauman's Chinese Theater on Dec. 15, 2005 in Hollywood, Calif." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Rob Reiner and his family attend the premiere of the film "Kangaroo Jack" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on Jan. 11, 2003, in Hollywood, Calif." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Frank Thomas and Rob Reiner and sons pose during the Pre-Party for the Players Choice Awards at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas on Nov. 3, 2000." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Who is Nick Reiner, Rob Reiner's son? See photos
Rob Reiner, Michele Singer, Romy Reiner, Nick Reiner, Maria Gilfillan and Jake Reiner at "Spinal Tap II: The End Continues" Los Angeles premiere on Sept. 9, 2025.
Schizophreniais a lifelong,psychotic disorderthat affectsfewer than 1% of the U.S. populationand is often characterized by impaired cognitive thinking, such as visual hallucinations and thought delusions.
If left untreated, schizophrenia can result in outcomes such as substance use, homelessness, social isolation and even suicide. People have also associated it with mass violence or shootings, which have beenlinked in some past research papers. However, psychologists warn the relationshipbetween schizophrenia and violenceis often oversimplified andrarely ever causal.
Certain treatments have been proven to help keep symptoms at bay. Antipsychotic medications can reduce hallucinations and delusions, while therapies and rehabilitations can address specific concerns, like teaching cognitive techniques or enhancing social skills to interact with others.
Nick Reiner had publicly discussed hisyearslong battle with drug addiction, which included periods of homelessness. The screenwriter toldPeople magazinein a 2016 interview that he made his first visit to rehab at 15 and would return 17 times. He said he became homeless due to his refusal to return to rehab.
Nick Reiner mental health:The link between schizophrenia, substance abuse and violence
Nick Reiner arrested, charged with murder after parents' deaths
Reiner wastaken into police custodyon Dec. 14 and booked for murder by the Los Angeles Police Department after Rob and Michele Reiner were found dead in their Brentwood home.
Two days after Rob and Michele Reiner's deaths, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office charged Nick Reiner withtwo counts of first-degree murderwith a special circumstance of multiple murders. Nick also faces a special allegation that he personally used adangerous and deadly weapon, namely a knife.
In aseparate press release, the DA's office confirmed that Nick Reiner is accused of fatally stabbing his parents and allegedly fleeing, only to be arrested hours later.
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The special circumstance of multiple murders can entail a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole — or the death penalty. However, district attorney Nathan J. Hochman said, "No decision at this point has been made with respect to the death penalty."
Reiner remains behind bars without bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned on Jan. 7.
Reiner's defense attorney,Alan Jackson, called Rob and Michele Reiner's deaths a"devastating tragedy"during a Dec. 17 media appearance, followingNick's appearance in court. Jackson added that there are "very, very complex and serious issues that are associated with this case."
"We ask that during this process, you allow the system to move forward in the way that it was designed to move forward," Jackson said. "Not with a rush to judgment, not with jumping to conclusions, but with restraint and with dignity and with the respect that this system and this process deserves and that the family deserves."
Contributing: Jenna Ryu, KiMi Robinson, Taijuan Moorman, Brendan Morrow and Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Nick Reiner was given schizophrenia meds before parents' deaths – reports
