In 1989, Lyle and Erik Menendez murdered their parents in their Beverly Hills residence. At that time, the brothers were 21 and 18 years old respectively. They were arrested in 1990 for the killings of José Menendez, an entertainment executive, and his wife Mary Louise ‘Kitty,’ as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
The initial investigation linked the murders to organized crime, but authorities shifted their focus to the brothers. Prosecutors suggested greed as a motive, while the defense contended that Lyle and Erik were victims of long-term abuse.
The case is the inspiration for a new Netflix series titled “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” which premiered on the platform. The series is created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan.
The cast features Javier Bardem as José Menendez and Chloë Sevigny as Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez. Nicholas Chavez takes on the role of Lyle Menendez, and Cooper Koch plays Erik Menendez.
The Menendez brothers were apprehended after officials received a tip indicating that Erik had confessed during therapy sessions, which were recorded. Their extravagant spending after their parents’ deaths also drew suspicion.
Both brothers were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment on March 10, 1996. They underwent separate trials, during which they alleged that their father had sexually abused them since childhood and that their mother was complicit.
Currently, Lyle and Erik Menendez are serving their sentences at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, according to California Incarcerated Records and Information Search.