Nick Reiner’s Schizoaffective Medication Was Changed Because of Weight Gain Before Murders

A month before the murders of Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner at their home in Brentwood, California, their son Nick Reiner changed to a new medication for his schizoaffective disorder. While his old meds kept him stable, the switch was the start of an unraveling for the 32-year-old, who has been charged with first-degree murder.

But why did he change his meds? It was because of weight gain caused by the old medication, according to the new TMZ documentary The Reiner Murders: What Really Happened. This is a common side effect of many antidepressants and antipsychotic medications.

Nick, who also struggled with drug addiction, was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder in 2020. According to the Mayo Clinic, possible symptoms include hallucinations and delusions as well as mood disorder symptoms including depression and mania.

TMZ reported that Rob and Michele “didn’t know what to do” about Nick’s erratic behavior after the medication change, and that he “had a complete break from reality” at the time of the December 14 murders.

Nick has not entered a plea in the case yet, because on Wednesday, January 7, his lawyer Alan Jackson announced that he would be withdrawing from the case. Nick’s arraignment has now been moved to February 23.

Jackson also reiterated his belief in his former client’s innocence, saying, “What we’ve learned and you can take this to the bank, is that pursuant to the laws of this state, Nick Reiner is not guilty of murder. Print that. We wish him the very very best moving forward.”