URGENT UPDATE: Nick Reiner’s siblings are advocating for their “seriously ill” brother to avoid the death penalty, despite the tragic circumstances surrounding their parents’ murders. A close family friend revealed that Jake and Romy Reiner believe Nick’s mental health crisis played a critical role in the shocking events of December 14, 2023.
Nick Reiner is accused of fatally stabbing his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, in their luxurious $10 million Brentwood mansion. The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the community, left the family grappling with profound grief. According to reports, Nick has struggled with severe mental health issues, recently diagnosed with schizophrenia just weeks before the attack.
The family friend disclosed that Nick’s mental health deteriorated following adjustments to his medication, which they believe contributed to his erratic behavior leading up to the murders. “The family insists this horrific incident was the byproduct of a mental health crisis,” the source stated.
Nick is facing two counts of first-degree murder and could potentially receive the death penalty. However, the Reiner siblings are advocating for a different path. They believe that seeking the death penalty would only inflict further pain and would not bring their parents back. The family has expressed a desire for Nick to plead not guilty by reason of insanity, emphasizing the need for treatment rather than punishment.
As Nick prepares for arraignment today, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman is considering “special circumstances” that could lead to the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole. However, California’s current moratorium on executions, established by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2019, complicates this scenario, halting all executions indefinitely.
In a statement released shortly after the tragic events, Romy and Jake Reiner requested compassion from the public, asking for their parents to be remembered for the love they shared during their lives. “We now ask for respect and privacy, for speculation to be tempered with compassion and humanity,” they said.
The Reiners’ tragic deaths occurred shortly after a brutal attack, with Rob’s time of death recorded at 3:45 PM and Michele’s just one minute later. The scene was discovered by a massage therapist who, unable to reach the couple, contacted Romy. Upon arriving, she found her father and mother in their bedroom.
Police apprehended Nick later that day, around 9:15 PM, approximately 14 miles from the crime scene, after he was spotted on gas station surveillance video appearing distressed.
The Reiners’ family friend emphasized that the siblings are focused on preventing such mental health tragedies in the future, advocating for better care and understanding of mental illnesses. The family believes the circumstances surrounding Nick’s case highlight a critical failure in mental health support.
As this tragic story unfolds, the public is left to grapple with the complexities of mental health, family dynamics, and the implications of justice in the face of unimaginable loss.
