Back to Top

Nick Reiner’s Yearlong Mental Health Conservatorship Exposed—Is There More Family Drama Hiding in the Stars?

Added on January 16, 2026 inCelebrity News Cards, Entertainment News Cards

Has mental illness truly shaped the grim fate of the Reiner family, or is this just another twist of cosmic irony under the stars? It’s been a haunting month since Rob and Michele Reiner were tragically found stabbed in their home — a story that’s unraveling like no other. Their son, Nick Reiner, now faces a chilling spotlight as the prime suspect, grappling in the shadows of his diagnosed schizophrenia and a past conservatorship that screamed trouble long before the fatal night. With a yearlong conservatorship lifted mysteriously in 2021, questions swirl like a Taurus moon about how much control he had over his actions and if the law will dance to the tune of “not guilty by reason of insanity.” As the court proceedings stall and legal teams shuffle, the big question lingers: Can mental illness and the stars align to sway the verdict in this real-life drama? Buckle up — this story’s just starting to get cosmic. LEARN MORE

Reading Time: 3 minutes

It’s been one month since Rob and Michele Reiner were found stabbed to death inside their home.

And we continue to receive new information about the late couple’s son and suspected murderer, Nick Reiner.

Nick was arrested shortly after the murders and is currently being held without bail as he awaits trial.

Actor/Producer/Director Rob Reiner (center) and wife Michele Singer (L) and son Nick Reiner (R) attend Teen Vogue's Back-to-School Saturday kick-off event at The Grove on August 9, 2013 in Los Angeles, California.
Actor/Producer/Director Rob Reiner (center) and wife Michele Singer (L) and son Nick Reiner (R) attend Teen Vogue’s Back-to-School Saturday kick-off event at The Grove on August 9, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Teen Vogue)

As we previously reported, Nick was diagnosed with schizophrenia in the years before the murders.

Now we have a new report about the severity of Reiner’s mental illness, courtesy of The New York Times.

The outlet has learned that Reiner was placed in a yearlong conservatorship in 2020 due to his mental health issues.

Conservatorships are usually considered a last-resort approach in cases of severe mental health issues.

Honoree Rob Reiner poses with family at the 41st Annual Chaplin Award Gala at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on April 28, 2014 in New York City.
Honoree Rob Reiner poses with family at the 41st Annual Chaplin Award Gala at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts on April 28, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Typically, a judge will only sign off on a conservatorship — which essentially strips an adult psychiatric patient of their legal autonomy — in cases where the patient is believed to be an immediate threat to themself or others.

Reiner’s conservatorship was not renewed in 2021 for reasons that remain unclear.

News of the conservatorship could have a massive impact on Reiner’s trial, as it may bolster the argument that he’s not guilty by reason of insanity.

“In order to win and not be determined guilty of murder, he has to show that he suffers from a severe mental illness, and at the time of the act, he didn’t know what he was doing. He didn’t know wrong from right,” David Glass, a family law attorney and former psychologist, tells Los Angeles ABC affiliate ABC7.

Director Rob Reiner (second from left) and family arrive at the premiere of "Rumor Has It" at the Grauman?s Chinese Theater on December 15, 2005 in Hollywood, California.
Director Rob Reiner (second from left) and family arrive at the premiere of “Rumor Has It” at the Grauman?s Chinese Theater on December 15, 2005 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Reiner has not yet entered a plea.

He was scheduled to be arraigned last week, but the hearing was postponed when Reiner’s attorney, Alan Jackson, abruptly withdrew from the case.

He is now being represented by a public defender, but that’s expected to change before the trial.

Whatever the case, it’s unclear what sort of strategy Reiner’s team will pursue, but many legal experts expect the 32-year-old to enter a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.

It’s an infamously risky strategy, as it requires the defense to begin their argument by admitting that the

But stipulations in California make it easier to prove insanity there than in most states, and Reiner has a long and well-documented history of severe mental illness.

We will have further updates on this developing story as new information becomes available.

ENTER TO WIN!

    This will close in 0 seconds

    GET YOUR FREE PASSWORD & WATCH ALL YOUR FAVORITE MOVIES & SHOWS!

      This will close in 0 seconds

      RSS
      Follow by Email