The Menendez brothers, Lyle and Eric Menendez, became notorious for the brutal murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in the early 1990s. His story has gripped the nation, sparked numerous debates, and inspired numerous documentaries, including an upcoming Netflix series. As new details emerge about the brothers’ lives behind bars, interest in the Menendez case is at an all-time high.
The Menendez Brothers and the Crime
On August 20, 1989, Lyle and Eric Menendez entered their Beverly Hills mansion and shot their parents while they were watching television. Jose Menendez, a wealthy media executive, was shot in the head, while his mother, Kitty, was also murdered in cold blood. Initially, the brothers told the police that they found their parents dead, but suspicion quickly shifted to Lyle and Eric as they began spending large amounts of money after the murders.
Their behavior raised red flags, and soon after, Eric confessed to the crime during a session with his psychiatrist. Both brothers were arrested and charged with first degree murder.
The Trial That Shocked America
The Menendez brothers’ trial became one of the most watched cases in history, leading to the O.J. Simpson’s trial. The brothers claimed they killed their parents in self-defense after years of alleged sexual and emotional abuse by their father, Jose Menendez. Prosecutors, however, argued that he committed the murder for financial gain, hoping to inherit his parents’ multimillion-dollar fortune.
Lyle and Eric’s defense divided public opinion. Many were sympathetic to his claims of abuse, while others believed he was motivated by greed. In 1996, both brothers were convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The Menendez Brothers Now
After decades behind bars, the Menendez brothers have continued to attract attention. Recently, the brothers have returned to the public spotlight with the release of several documentaries and specials, including the Netflix series “Monsters: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story,” which revisits their case.
The brothers are serving their sentences in separate prisons in California, although they were reunited in the same correctional facility in 2018. Both Lyle and Eric have married while in prison, and maintain that their actions were motivated by the abuse they suffered. His father’s hands
Erik Menendez: Life Behind Bars
Eric Menendez, the younger of the two, has led a relatively quiet life behind bars. She married her pen pal, Timmy Sikoman, in 1999, and the two have been in a relationship ever since. Eric has been involved in several prison programs and claims that he and his brother were victims of severe abuse.
Lyle Menendez: The Older Brother’s Life in Prison
Like his brother, Lyle Menendez found love while incarcerated. He married Anna Erickson in 1996, but divorced shortly after. Lyle remarried in 2003, and like his brother, kept a low profile while serving his life sentence.
The Upcoming Netflix Documentary
Interest in the Menendez brothers’ case is growing, especially with an upcoming Netflix series focusing on their lives and the infamous crime. Titled Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, the series is part of Netflix’s ongoing efforts to explore infamous true crime cases. Cooper is rumored to play a brother in the Koch series.