UPDATE: The siblings of Nick Reiner are advocating for mercy, urging authorities to spare their “seriously ill” brother from the death penalty despite the shocking murder of their parents, Rob and Michele Reiner. A family friend disclosed this urgent plea to The U.S. Sun, revealing their belief that a significant mental health crisis drove Nick’s alleged actions.
On December 14, 2023, Nick Reiner, 32, reportedly stabbed his parents to death in their $10 million Brentwood mansion. He faces two counts of first-degree murder, with prosecutors considering the death penalty as a potential punishment. However, family supporters are emphasizing his mental health struggles, including a recent diagnosis of schizophrenia and a history of severe drug addiction.
A source close to the family stated, “Rob and Michele’s family, despite everything, do not want Nick to get the death penalty, as they insist this horrific incident was the byproduct of a mental health crisis.” This sentiment underscores a growing concern about mental health treatment failures that may have contributed to the tragedy.
Just weeks before the alleged stabbings, Nick was undergoing psychiatric care and had recently received a new medication regimen. The family claims that this adjustment exacerbated his condition, leading to increasingly erratic behavior before the incident. “Nick’s symptoms took a turn for the worse after doctors adjusted his medication,” the source revealed, adding that the family is devastated and believes this was a massive failure in his care.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Nick is set to be arraigned today, three weeks after the murders. His siblings, Jake and Romy, are calling for compassion amid their grief, stating, “We now ask for respect and privacy, for speculation to be tempered with compassion and humanity.” They want their parents remembered for the love and lives they shared, rather than the tragedy that befell them.
“The last thing the Reiners want is another killing in the face of this unbelievable tragedy, and that the death penalty would only bring more pain. It won’t bring back Rob and Michele.”
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman has indicated that the family’s wishes will be considered when determining the final sentencing approach. Although the death penalty is an option, California’s moratorium on executions, established by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2019, means that even if sought, Nick would not face execution currently.
As shocking details emerge about the night of the killings, it has been reported that Rob and Michele were discovered minutes apart, with their time of death logged at 3:45 PM and 3:46 PM. The grim scene was uncovered when a massage therapist arrived at the Reiner home and, after receiving no response, contacted Romy, who lived nearby. Upon entering the house, she found her father first, leading to the horrific discovery.
Authorities arrived shortly after, but Nick was not found at the scene. He was apprehended later that evening, around 9:15 PM, approximately 14 miles away from the crime scene. Surveillance footage captured him appearing distressed while purchasing a drink at a gas station just prior to his arrest.
This tragic case highlights the urgent need for mental health awareness and treatment, as the Reiner family seeks to ensure such a tragedy does not repeat itself in the future. As the arraignment approaches, all eyes are on the court for the next developments in this heartbreaking story.
