Nick Reiner‘s alleged killings of his parents, Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner, could be tied to his history of substance abuse, as reports suggest he probably went into a meth rage.

It was recently revealed that Nick struggled after he switched his schizophrenia medication one month before he killed his parents.

Now, as Nick Reiner’s trial looms, his lawyers could look to a not guilty by reason of insanity defense, or argue he is guilty of a lesser crime.

The brutal homicides Nick Reiner allegedly perpetrated against his parents, Rob and Michele, could be linked to his history of substance abuse, which may have resulted in a “meth rage.”

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After news of the sad incident went public in December, law enforcement traced the 32-year-old to the Exposition Park area near the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where he was eventually arrested.

Now, according to TMZ, they went to the area and asked about the drug culture and whether people there knew Nick.

One respondent who recently featured on the “2 Angry Men” podcast shared that Exposition Park is a “drug den” where users can get whatever they are looking for, including meth.

The individual also added that Nick “looked familiar.”

According to the news outlet, a medical examiner was left puzzled by the brutality of the murders, suspecting Nick was on a drug like meth.

Nick had long been diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, with his late mom previously saying that they’ve done everything they could to help him.

In the weeks leading up to the crime, he struggled and complained about gaining weight as the medication for his mental health issues was switched, per The New York Times.

Multiple sources previously told People Magazine that he never took his parents’ efforts to help him seriously.

One source noted that Rob and Michele “tried so hard already for years,” with another insider adding, “At the end of the day, Nick didn’t take the help seriously. This was true for years and years. His issues were far, far out of his parents’ control.”

“His family was empathetic to how much his struggles contributed to his behavior. They never lost hope in him, even when he was scaring them or making their lives harder,” the insider added.

Nick faces two counts of first-degree murder for the stabbing deaths of his parents, with prosecutors potentially seeking the death penalty.

He has since been held without bail and is expected to begin trial soon, but the case seemingly suffered a setback after his original attorney, Alan Jackson, withdrew from the case, citing complicated issues, leading to Deputy Public Defender Kimberly taking over the case.

Although he didn’t state why he left, Jackson appeared on Billy Bush’s “Hot Mics” podcast, where he set the record straight over reports that he left the case because of money.

“You can’t say that something happened with the retainer because I’ve never said that,” Jackson said, per USA Today.

“Obviously, something happened with my ability and my team’s ability to continue the representation, but I don’t want you, your audience, anybody else to start speculating as to what that might be,” he added. “I have not said a word about it.”

Jackson added that he “is completely committed to the best interests of Nick Reiner” and also shared that “under the laws of the state of California,” Nick is “not guilty.”

Since leaving the case, Jackson has continued to drop itty bitty comments about it, as he recently shared how “something happened” that made him drop the case.

Now, reports suggest Nick’s family “feel betrayed” after Jackson’s comments.

“The whole thing feels like a showpony move,” a source close to the family told Rob Shuter. “Why is he giving details to Billy Bush of all people? The family feels betrayed.” Another source noted that the family doesn’t want Jackson’s exit to cloud the trial.

“They just want the legal process to take its course without distractions,” a third insider added.

After Jackson withdrew as Nick Reiner’s lawyer, many wondered what may have caused him to ditch the alleged killer.

“The family has completely cut Nick off,” a close source said, implying Nick could no longer afford Jackson. “They are devastated. But they realized they cannot support him anymore—not financially, not emotionally, not morally.”

Another source shared that Nick behaved badly with his legal team.

“Even with the best legal team, a client has to cooperate. Nick’s behavior over the past weeks—erratic, threatening, unpredictable—left no other choice. The family can’t bankroll chaos,” the insider noted.