Almost a month ago, the public was shocked to learn about the deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner, especially given the grisly nature of their apparent homicide and the fact that their son Nick was the prime suspect. While tributes for Rob Reiner rolled in, his generations of fans have been paying attention to the way things have been shaking out in the legal system, including Nick’s arrest and current incarceration. And according to a new report, the 32-year-old writer isn’t doing very well behind bars.
While Rob Reiner praised his son’s sobriety shortly before his death, the two apparently had an argument right before the alleged homicide. Nick Reiner checked into a hotel after the alleged incident, and afterward was promptly arrested. A new report by TMZ claims that Nick is struggling mentally in jail, and allegedly believes that he is the victim of a conspiracy theory.
Per this report, Nick knows he is responsible for his parents’ deaths, but thinks that his jail time is due to a conspiracy against him. He’ll reportedly be pleading not guilty due to insanity, citing a change in his schizoaffective medication. And apparently, he doesn’t understand why he’s been arrested, and is “delusional” about his current incarceration.
It remains to be seen if claiming insanity ends up being a successful defense strategy. Nick Reiner’s defense lawyer, Alan Jackson, is well-known, famously representing Karen Read while she was in court. And given just how famous his father, Rob Reiner, was, the ongoing story will also likely be judged by the court of public opinion.
Since the apparent homicide, information about Nick Reiner’s struggles with substance abuse and mental health issues has been trickling out. That includes a resurfaced podcast appearance, where Reiner admitted to throwing a rock through a window in rehab in order to procure meds. While his father Rob claimed he was doing well shortly before the incident, this latest report by TMZ offers a very different perspective on how he’s holding up mentally.
According to the outlet, Nick’s “mental spiral occurred about a month before the murders”, due to a change in his medication. Per that same source, the meds are still not working properly, resulting in him having “delusions, hallucinations, and mania.” One can only imagine how being in jail might have further exacerbated, while the public follows along and collectively grieves his late parents. Meanwhile, Rob and Michele’s kids, Romy and Jake, are reportedly being supported by loved ones during this unfathomable time.
It’s currently unclear how the legal system will shake out regarding Nick Reiner, but he’s reportedly set to be arraigned in late February. In the meantime, the public is following along while also re-watching Rob Reiner’s many classic movies and TV projects.
