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Nick Reiner's mental breakdown in the weeks leading up to the murders of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, is directly tied to a head-scratching decision by doctors to change the meds he was taking for his mental illness ... sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ.

TMZ has a new documentary -- "TMZ Investigates: The Reiner Murders: What Really Happened" -- airing Friday at 8 PM ET on FOX and dropping on HULU Saturday. We explain in the doc, Nick was diagnosed around 2020 with schizoaffective disorder ... a condition that manifests itself with schizophrenia symptoms -- including delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking -- and mood disorder symptoms, including mania and severe depression.

Our sources say a month before the murders, Nick was stable on his meds for schizoaffective disorder ... we're told the meds were working just fine. For some reason, his doctors decided to change the meds. Our sources would not say why doctors made that decision ... only that we would be shocked to learn the reason, which we're told makes no sense.

Dr. Drew says doctors prescribing medication to Nick Reiner for his mental illness royally screwed up by changing his meds in the weeks leading up to his parents' murders ... but hindsight is 20/20, and there are all sorts of reasons why the meds get changed.

The good doc joined us on "TMZ Live" Thursday ... and we asked him about something we uncovered in our new documentary, "TMZ Investigates: The Reiner Murders: What Really Happened" ... Nick was stable on his meds for schizoaffective disorder a month before the killings, but then doctors decided to change things up.

Dr. Drew says meds get changed all the time when patients stress about how they're feeling or how their side effects are affecting them ... but that doesn't always make it the right move.

No pour decisions here -- Martha Stewart tells TMZ she’s ringing in January bone-dry, booze-free, and feeling damn good about it!

We caught up with Martha in NYC Thursday, and she tells us she’s fully riding the Dry January wave -- saying she hasn’t had a drink ... yet. The way she put it though? Let’s just say the rest of the month is very much TBD.

Catch the clip -- 'cause Martha’s also dishing out some expert advice for anyone else giving Dry January a try.

The viral reports of people "scromiting" -- AKA barfing their guts out -- after smoking weed are nothing but propaganda from "Big Alcohol," who are Big Mad their sales are down ... so says High Times' publisher Josh Kesselman!!!

Alcohol consumption was reportedly down about 54% in 2025 to its lowest point in nearly a century in the United States ... as more Americans are favoring health and cannabis trends over scarring their livers. There have also been several bankruptcy filings from distilleries in the past few months.

Josh suspects the round of "scromit" ("scream-vomiting") reports -- that are routinely getting spanked with community notes on socials to adjust accuracy -- are being pushed by the alcohol companies.

"Succession" star Nicholas Braun is free and clear after his DUI arrest last summer ... TMZ has learned the record has been completely expunged.

Av Harris, a rep for New Hampshire Judicial Branch, tells TMZ ... Not only has the DUI case been dropped against Braun, but -- as of December 10, 2025 -- a judge granted a petition to annul the record. A certificate of annulment was issued December 17, meaning the public record has been completely erased ... like it never existed.

We reached out to police, prosecutors and Braun's defense attorney to find out exactly why the charges were dropped. So far no word back.

But, this is all great news for Braun, considering he owns a bar called Ray's in New York City.

9:50 AM PT -- The deal is sealed … TMZ has learned negotiations were successful -- old and never-before-seen footage featuring Bam Margera has been cleared for the new flick. It's still unclear though whether he'll film new scenes or stunts for the new movie ... stay tuned.

So you're telling me there's a chance! Bam Margera is currently in negotiations to appear with the "Jackass" crew again in their just-announced upcoming movie, TMZ has learned.

A source familiar with the situation tells TMZ ... "Jackass" producers reached out to Bam's reps late last year, notifying them of a new installment in the works. The new movie is expected to bring back some of the biggest stunts from the franchise -- kind of like a greatest hits -- mixing in old, never-before-seen footage, as well as shooting new material.

We're told the studio is in ongoing negotiations with Bam's lawyer to strike a deal to use the old footage of him, and if that proves fruitful ... who knows, that could bring him back for new stunts as well!

Word on road is Drake is about to blow up the spot with his long-awaited "Iceman" album -- and Fat Joe is guaranteeing it'll be the hit-fueled project the people deserve!!!

Joe's just a spectator on the sidelines without direct involvement in the album ... but the proud "Joe & Jada" podcaster told TMZ Hip Hop when we caught him and Rich Player out in NYC greeting fans, he has no doubt Drake will deliver.

Platinum OVO card-carrying member DJ Akademiks got fans riled up this week, teasing that the album was coming ... no release date has been confirmed just yet.

Adam22 is training non-stop ahead of a boxing match with his ultimate nemesis, Jason Luv ... telling TMZ Sports he's looking to end the night with a knockout victory!!

The popular podcaster is going up against the adult film star on Jan. 23 for Adin Ross' Brand Risk Promotions ... and there's legit bad blood, considering Luv famously filmed a sex tape with Adam's wife, Lena the Plug, a few years ago.

It's been a rocky relationship between the two ever since the viral moment ... but they now have a chance to end things once and for all in the ring.

Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Cam Little -- owner of the two longest field goal makes in NFL history -- wants to celebrate his feats by meeting a different football legend.

Ronaldo.

"I would do anything to meet that guy," Little told TMZ Sports. "Obviously, one of my idols … a jersey swap would be so sick."

An ex-employee is suing the Anaheim Ducks, claiming she dealt with sexual harassment and other misconduct in a “frat house boys club environment" -- and was then allegedly silenced for exposing it.

Rose Harris, who worked in the Ducks’ IT department, filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the team, the NHL, and the team’s parent company, OC Sports & Entertainment, in the Southern District of New York ... accusing them of colluding to blacklist, defame, and retaliate against her.

Ronnie Radke wants to be the guy to bring 'Catfish' back from the TV dead ... he says Nev Schulman would be the perfect guy to clear his name in his drama with Brittany Furlan.

We got Ronnie in Hollywood on Wednesday, and our photog asked him for an update on his restraining order against Brittany, which stems from her refusing to believe she was catfished by someone posing as Ronnie.

Ronnie says he's still jumping through hoops to prove he's NOT the guy who seduced Brittany online ... and the drama is wearing on him, so he's calling for backup.

Brit Eady is officially waving the white flag on her marriage ... because she just filed for divorce.

The ''Real Housewives of Atlanta" star beelined it to court Wednesday and filed to divorce her husband Michael Cunningham after 5 years of marriage.

In the filing, obtained by TMZ, Brit lists Dec. 1 as the date of separation ... which is about four weeks from her announcement of their separation on social media in a since-deleted IG post.

Ray J was admitted to a Las Vegas hospital last night with a severe case of pneumonia and heart pains, TMZ has learned.

A source close to the R&B singer tells TMZ ... Ray J remains in the hospital where he has received X-rays and an echocardiogram ... no word yet on the results.

This follows a serious case of pneumonia Ray J had four years ago during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Veteran rapper Mad Skillz says he needed a little extra motivation to record his "2025 Rap Up" track -- a year-end tradition for him since 2002 -- but is glad he did for his boy, D'Angelo!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Skillz as he prepares for the upcoming Grammy Awards, where his "Words For Days Vol. 1" is nominated for Best Spoken Word Poetry Album this year -- his 2nd nom in a row!!!

As for the "Rap-Up," Skillz credits his wife, Jennifer, and producer Jeymes Samuel for pushing him to chronicle the year ... Trump, Charlie Kirk, Diddy's trial, Kendrick Lamar at the Super Bowl and more were all signed, sealed, and delivered over D'Angelo and Raphael Saadiq's jazzy "Lady" instrumental.

Chrisean Rock is ready to lace 'em up -- as part of the XRumble Fighting Championships "Boxing" division -- as the latest signee!!!

On Wednesday, Chrisean, Chrisean Jr., and her manager, Kimberly Ross, linked up with XRumble's Damon Feldman and inked the deal to be part of their first female Super Middleweight Championship on Saturday, April 25, at Harrah's Philadelphia Casino in Chester, PA.

Damon tells TMZ ... Chrisean has been in great spirits and training in her native Baltimore by none other than Calvin Ford ... Gervonta Davis' ex-coach throughout the bulk of his undefeated record.

10:43 AM PT -- Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman says prosecutors are confident a jury will find Nick Reiner guilty of murdering his parents, no matter who he has as a defense lawyer.

10:32 AM PT -- Alan Jackson just held a brief news conference where he said there's one thing everyone can take to the bank -- "Nick Reiner is NOT guilty of murder."

Jackson said the circumstances under which he had to withdraw from the case were beyond Nick's control. TMZ broke the story ... Nick was diagnosed with schizo-affective disorder and there are issues regarding his meds that could lead to a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.

10:06 AM PT -- A spokesperson for the Reiner family released a statement on Nick's change of legal representation saying ... "They have the utmost trust in the legal process and will not comment further on matters related to the legal proceedings."

A source told The New York Times the change had nothing to do with Alan's "performance" and that he had been a pro.

9:52 AM PT -- Nick Reiner's new attorney is public defender Kimberly Greene, who has 19 years' experience.

The judge signed off on Nick's change of legal representation and set a new arraignment date for Feb. 23. Nick spoke up in court, saying, "Uh, yeah I agree with that."

Nick's leaving the courtroom and going back to jail -- he still has no bail -- and Alan is about to address the media ... tune into the live stream above.

Nick Reiner's lawyer is off the case, TMZ has learned, and Nick will -- at least for the time being -- be represented by a public defender.

Sources connected to the Reiner family, with direct knowledge, tell TMZ ... when attorney Alan Jackson appears in court Wednesday morning for Nick's arraignment, he will inform the judge he is no longer representing Nick.

Our sources say a public defender will step in for now, and the case will be continued. Nick will not enter a plea.

As for why Jackson is off the case, we're told the family will be releasing a statement as soon as the proceedings are over, and TMZ will post it.