Nick Reiner, son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Reiner, was placed under a court-ordered mental health conservatorship in 2020, a fact that has emerged as he faces charges for allegedly murdering his parents in late 2025. This conservatorship, which lasted one year, involved involuntary psychiatric treatment under California’s Lanterman-Petris-Short Act, designed for individuals deemed to have a “grave disability” due to mental illness.
The conservatorship was initiated after Nick, now 32, was diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, conditions that compounded a long history of drug addiction dating back to his teenage years. Steven Baer, a licensed fiduciary in Los Angeles County, was appointed as his conservator, overseeing medical decisions including psychiatric medications. Reports indicate that while the medication was initially effective, side effects led to a change in treatment approximately a month before the tragic deaths of his parents.
Rob and Michele Reiner were found stabbed to death in their Brentwood home on December 14, 2025, with authorities confirming “multiple sharp force injuries” as the cause. Nick was arrested hours later near downtown Los Angeles and has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, with a knife identified as the alleged weapon. He is currently held in a mental health unit at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility, awaiting further legal proceedings.
The revelation of the conservatorship comes from recent reports by The New York Times, cited in articles by the New York Post and Rolling Stone, published within the last 24 hours. These sources cross-reference details, noting that the conservatorship ended in 2021 and was not renewed, though the reasons remain unclear. The reports also highlight prior police responses to the Reiner home in 2019 for welfare checks and mental health concerns.
Nick’s mental health struggles have been public knowledge, with past interviews revealing his parents’ desperate attempts to help him through numerous rehab stints and interventions. In a 2015 interview, Rob Reiner expressed regret over not listening to his son’s needs, emphasizing the challenges of navigating mental health care. Nick himself has spoken about incidents of violence linked to drug use, including destroying a guest house during a binge.
Since his arrest, Nick has appeared in court twice, initially represented by high-profile lawyer Alan Jackson, who has since stepped down, citing undisclosed circumstances. He is now defended by public defender Kimberly Greene. The case has shifted focus towards his psychiatric history, with potential implications for his legal defense, possibly involving mental competency evaluations.
The tragedy underscores broader issues in mental health conservatorships and the treatment of severe mental illnesses, particularly in high-profile families. As the legal process unfolds, attention will likely remain on the intersection of mental health and criminal justice, with Nick’s next court date pending. The Reiner family, including siblings Jake and Romy, have expressed profound grief, remembering their parents as “best friends” in a heartfelt statement.
