In October 2024, Netflix released The Menendez Brothers, renewing interest in one of the most notorious and violent murder cases in American history. Erik Menendez (b. November 27, 1970) and his brother Lyle Menendez (b. January 10, 1968) murdered their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, on August 20, 1989, with a shotgun in their own home.  Many have wondered over the years: What could cause two children to commit such a heinous crime? 

On the surface, the Menendez family appeared picture perfect: the family of 4 were affluent and seemingly normal; however, Kitty Menendez struggled with alcohol and substance abuse, as well as serious mental health issues. Kitty struggled with depression from an early age that continued into her adulthood. She married José in 1963, becoming a full time housewife to keep him satisfied. Half a decade later, they welcomed their first son Lyle into the world. Not long after, Erik was born. Growing up, the two brothers lived in Hopewell Township, New Jersey, and attended Princeton Day School. After relocating to Beverly Hills where José reportedly worked on record deals with various music artists in Hollywood, Kitty became extremely reliant on drugs and alcohol, and those close to her described her as suicidal. It has been reported that the marital relationship between Kitty and José was never healthy. He committed infidelity throughout their marriage and allegedly abused not only his own sons but young boys in the music industry. Undoubtedly, this unhealthy home environment was impactful on their children as it was most likely a major source of stress for them both.

After the murder of José and Kitty, police did not initially deem the brothers as suspects.  The brothers produced an alibi, but soon police found flaws in their story. After attempting to pass the murder off as a mafia-related homicide, Lyle was arrested on March 8, 1990, and Erik turned himself in three days after.  That same month, the Menendez brothers were formally arrested on account of first-degree murder of parricide using illegally purchased firearms. 

The first trial began in 1993. The brothers were represented by Leslie Abramson and Jill Lansing, lead defense lawyers. The prosecutors argued that the motive for the murder was financially related; however, Erik and Lyle confessed about abuse they experienced growing up, especially from their father. Erik and Lyle also claimed that they committed the murders out of fear for their lives, fear that they would be murdered by José and Kitty on that night first. Claims of sexual abuse by their father were prominent in the first trial with Erik claiming to be sexually abused until adulthood, and Lyle claiming to be abused as a young boy. Prosecutors argued that they were lying to protect themselves from harsh consequences, yet it ended as a mistrial because the jury couldn’t agree on a verdict.   

The second trial for the Menendez brothers began in October 1995.  This time, Judge Stanley Martin Weisberg, who presided over both trials, denied testimony of the brothers’ abuse, and the jury convicted Erik and Lyle of first-degree homicide, sentencing them to life in prison with no possibility of parole.  

For over 20 years, Erik and Lyle lived 500 miles apart in different prisons, communicating solely through letters in the mail for most of that time. In 2023, new evidence that proved the abuse was discovered.  “The new evidence not only shows that José Menendez was very much a violent and brutal man who would sexually abuse children, but it strongly suggests that — in fact — he was still abusing Erik Menendez as late as 1988,” the filing read in part, according to documents obtained by the Los Angeles Times. 

That changes the entire case, shifting it from a murder case to a manslaughter case, possibly resulting in an early release from prison. The case and sentencing are currently under review as everyone – including Erik and Lyle’s own family members – waits for the results. Lyle Menendez recently spoke that he was “happy” the case was being evaluated. “It’s a burden to be telling what happened to you and just have so much doubt in the public air,” Lyle told Natalie Morales, CBS News correspondent and 48 Hours contributor.