New Insights from TMZ’s Documentary on the Reiner Murders
TMZ Documentary Investigates Reiner Family Murders
LOS ANGELES – A new documentary from TMZ is set to delve into the tragic murders of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, following their discovery in their Brentwood home nearly a month ago. Their son, Nick Reiner, has been charged in connection with the deaths.
Nick Reiner, 32, was expected to be arraigned this week, but the hearing was postponed for the second time after his attorney, Alan Jackson, withdrew from the case.
The documentary, titled "The Reiner Murders: What Really Happened," will premiere this Friday, focusing on Nick Reiner’s struggles with drug addiction and mental illness.
TMZ’s Harvin Levin, speaking on Good Day LA, discussed insights gleaned during the making of the documentary regarding Nick’s mental state. “He thinks there’s a conspiracy against him, and that’s why he’s behind bars. He knows what he did. We are told he knows exactly what he did, but he is so delusional right now that he can’t understand how that ended up putting him in jail and thinks there is a conspiracy,” Levin stated.
Levin also revealed that Nick Reiner has undergone rehabilitation 18 times over the years and has a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. “There is a form of schizophrenia involved in this—hallucinations, delusions, but also there are severe mood disorders, manias, and severe depression. And for years it was undiagnosed,” he elaborated.
In 2020, Nick was reportedly diagnosed with schizophrenia and had found some stability with medication. However, Levin noted that changes to his treatment a month prior to the murders may have contributed to his deteriorating condition. “It sent him off the rails. Rob and Michele watched it. They didn’t know what to do about it. He was getting increasingly dangerous and erratic," Levin explained.
Prosecutors could face challenges related to these findings. Levin suggested that this detail could be pivotal for the defense, potentially leading to a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. “That’s going to be the core for the case, I believe, of the defense, which ultimately I think is going to be not guilty by reason of insanity because he did it. He admits he did it,” said Levin.
The documentary will also address attorney Alan Jackson’s decision to withdraw from representing Nick Reiner and other significant elements uncovered during TMZ’s investigation.
"TMZ Investigates: The Reiner Murders" will air on FOX 11 at 8 p.m. on January 9 and will be available on Hulu starting January 10.
