Rob and Michelle Reiner were murdered a few days before Christmas and Hannukah, in their home in Los Angeles.  The main suspect is their grown son, Nick.  Nick Reiner had a documented history of mental illness and substance abuse, and apparently had been noted to display some disruptive behaviors.  While it is true that sometimes mentally ill people commit serious, violent crimes, this is the exception, and not the rule.  Most of the time mentally ill persons are frightened of others, and shy away from contact.  To stigmatize the mentally ill is unfair.  Of course, to be on the safe side, if you are threatened by a person displaying erratic, bizarre, or concerning behavior, take steps to secure your own safety.  However, be kind, and, if you can, support causes that try to provide appropriate services to the mentally ill.  Suggestions include the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), The Jed Foundation (JED) for youth, Mental Health America (MHA), the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), and The Trevor Project for LGBTQ youth.