Nick Reiner has been in a delirious state since the murders of his parents, appearing ‘almost childlike’ in jail, insiders have said.
The 32-year-old is accused of brutally stabbing Rob and Michele Reiner to death at their home in Brentwood, Los Angeles, on December 14.
The Hollywood director and his producer wife were found dead by their horrified daughter, Romy, and Nick was arrested later that day on suspicion of murder.
TMZ executive producer Harvey Levin told Fox & Friends on Monday that the alleged killer is ‘not competent to stand trial right now’.
‘He is almost childlike in jail, we’re told,’ Levin said. ‘He can’t process the consequences of what he’s done. He knows what he did.
‘He just can’t understand where he is right now, and I know that sounds crazy, but he is out of his head right now.’
Levin added that the killings were ‘incredibly brutal’. ‘We know people in the medical examiner’s office who are traumatized just by the pictures,’ he said.
The TMZ producer added that the killings had ‘all the markings of a meth murder’ and that Nick had been using the hard drug at the time.
Nick Reiner has been in a delirious state in jail since the murders of his parents, insiders have said (Pictured: Alleged killer Nick Reiner with his parents Rob and Michele Reiner)
TMZ executive producer Harvey Levin (pictured) told Fox & Friends on Monday that the alleged killer is ‘not competent to stand trial right now’ and has been appearing ‘almost childlike in jail’
‘It has the markings of somebody who was just wild, wildly strong,’ Levin said.
‘We have not gotten the confirmation of that, but we’ve talked to people… If he were just Nick Reiner without something additional, the carnage wouldn’t have been the way it was.’
Reiner, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, is expected to plead not guilty to the murders by reason of insanity.
He was arrested on December 14 and charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Prosecutors added special circumstances of multiple murders and use of a dangerous weapon, a knife, meaning if convicted, Nick could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or even the death penalty.
Rob Reiner, 78, is known for directing This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, and When Harry Met Sally, while Michele, 70, was a photographer, producer, and LGBT rights activist.
The Hollywood power couple married in 1989 and had three children – Jake, 34, Nick, 32, and Romy, 28, who found their bodies on the day they died.
Nick has appeared in court wearing a blue anti-suicide vest. He has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder over the deaths on December 14, 2025
Rob Reiner, 78, is known for directing This Is Spinal Tap, The Princess Bride, and When Harry Met Sally, while Michele, 70, was a photographer, producer, and LGBT rights activist
The couple was killed inside their mansion in Brentwood, a ritzy neighborhood in Los Angeles
Nick’s high-profile attorney, Alan Jackson, resigned from the case earlier this month for reasons he could not reveal.
He later told reporters that under California law his client is definitely not guilty of murder in the killing of his parents.
‘Circumstances beyond our control and more importantly circumstances beyond Nick’s control have dictated that, sadly, it’s made it impossible to continue our representation,’ Jackson said January 7.
But, Jackson added, after weeks of investigation, ‘what we’ve learned, and you can take this to the bank, is that pursuant to the laws of this state, pursuant to the law of California, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder. Print that.’
Jackson would not specify what he meant and took no questions at the brief news conference.
Romy and Jake also released a heart-wrenching statement on their parents’ deaths.
Nick Reiner had a long history of substance abuse and had spoken about it publicly
Rob and wife Michele shared three children, Jake, Nick, and Romy; pictured in 2005
‘Words cannot even begin to describe the unimaginable pain we are experiencing every moment of the day,’ the grieving siblings said.
‘The horrific and devastating loss of our parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is something that no one should ever experience.
‘They weren’t just our parents; they were our best friends. We are grateful for the outpouring of condolences, kindness, and support we have received not only from family and friends but people from all walks of life.’
The pair asked people for ‘respect and privacy’ and urged the public to treat any speculation with ‘compassion and humanity’.
Jake and Romy said they wanted their parents to be remembered for the ‘incredible lives they lived and the love’ they gave.