It's been 34 years since Erik and Lyle Menéndez murdered their parents, José and Kitty Menéndez, on August 20, 1989. That night, the brothers shot their parents, who were at home watching television, at point-blank range with shotguns. They then called 911, claiming that they had come home from a night out and found their parents' dead.
After three separate trials, they were eventually each convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. But many may wonder where they are now. Well, their lives have taken a shocking turn.
In the 2024 Fox Nation docuseries, Menendez Brothers: Victims or Villains, Erik and Lyle got the opportunity to talk about their story and where they are now. “I think looking back 34 years now on the trials, Erik and I and our family thought we were going into a manslaughter case with a district attorney that understood the traumatic impact that sexual violence creates in a person,” Lyle said. “And we ended up with the same sentence as a serial killer.”
During their trials, the brothers alleged that their father abused them physically, emotionally, and sexually and their mother was addicted to drugs and alcohol, physically abusive, and an enabler of their dad.
For over 20 years, the brothers were imprisoned separately. In 2018, they were finally transferred to the same unit. Their reunion brought them to tears. "It was just a remarkable moment," Lyle said. "It was just something I wasn't sure was ever going to happen."
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Erik married his longtime pen pal Tammi Ruth Saccoman in 1999, whom he shares a stepdaughter with. He took up the hobby of painting and made attempts at prison reform. Lyle was married to Anna Eriksson from 1996 to 2001. In 2003, he married Rebecca Sneed. He also served as president of inmate government at Mule State Creek Prison before being transferred and has worked in a support group for other prisoners who experienced sexual abuse. Though the brothers were sentenced to life without parole, their attorneys have been trying to overturn their convictions.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, the National Sexual Assault Hotline provides confidential 24/7 support. Call 800-656-HOPE (4673) or chat online at RAINN.
