Menendez Brothers Speak Out in New Documentary Amid Renewed Media Attention

The infamous Menendez brothers, serving life sentences without parole for the murder of their parents in 1989, have broken their long silence in a new Netflix documentary. “The Menendez Brothers,” which premiered on October 7, provides a platform for Lyle and Erik Menendez to express their perspectives on the events that transpired 35 years ago.

Conducted via phone interviews from Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, where the brothers are incarcerated, the documentary features over 20 hours of conversation. Erik Menendez reflects on the notorious night, stating, “What happened that night, it is very well known. Over 30 years, I’ve processed so much of it… Still have nightmares.”

Both brothers were convicted of the August 20, 1989, murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home. Lyle Menendez commented in the documentary, “A part of Erik and I died on that night.” They participated in the documentary to share their thoughts on the family dynamics and events leading to that night.

The documentary recounts the 911 call made by the brothers on the night of the murders, initially not being investigated as suspects. Erik Menendez discussed why he believed they could have been arrested that night, citing evidence like gunpowder residue on their hands. “We had no alibi,” he noted.

The brothers’ spending spree following their parent’s deaths drew police attention. Lyle Menendez purchased a Porsche and Rolex, while Erik bought a custom Jeep Wrangler, which contributed to their later arrest. “The idea that I was having a good time is absurd,” Erik Menendez stated.

On March 8, 1990, the Menendez brothers were charged with their parents’ murders. Their arrests and subsequent trials were heavily covered by the media, and their actions and motivations scrutinized. A central theme of the documentary is their claim of sexual abuse by their father, intended to explain their actions.

During the trial, the brothers alleged that their father, a wealthy businessman and Cuban immigrant, sexually abused them. This claim was supported by family members but largely challenged during the legal proceedings.

Their first trial ended in a mistrial in January 1994. The subsequent retrial in 1995 led to their conviction, with the jury ruling out the possibility of manslaughter. The sensational nature of their case kept the brothers in the public eye, with various adaptations in media and documentaries exploring their story over the years.

The recent Netflix series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” created by Ryan Murphy, further propelled their case back into the spotlight, leading to comments and criticisms by involved parties, including family members who have decried its storytelling approach. Erik’s defense attorney, Leslie Abramson, has publicly declined to revisit the past, saying, “Thirty years is a long time.”