Lyle Menendez is a convicted murderer. He and his younger brother, Erik, killed their parents. On August 20, 1989, the brothers shot their parents, José and Kitty, in their Beverly Hills home. They were arrested the next year, leading to a trial that drew national attention. The brothers claimed they acted due to years of sexual and emotional abuse.
In 1996, they were found guilty of first-degree murder. Each brother received two life sentences. Lyle is currently married to Rebecca and is in prison in San Diego. In 2023, the Menendez brothers filed a petition to overturn their convictions. They presented new evidence that supports their claims of abuse by José.
Quick Facts About Lyle Menendez
| Full Name | Lyle Menendez |
| Birth Date | January 10, 1968 |
| Place of Birth | New York City, New York |
| Parents | José and Kitty Menendez |
| Sibling | Erik Menendez |
| Crime | Convicted of first-degree murder |
| Date of Crime | August 20, 1989 |
| Location of Crime | Beverly Hills, California |
| Arrest | 1990 |
| Trial Year | 1996 |
| Sentence | Two consecutive life terms |
| Current Status | Incarcerated in a San Diego prison |
| Marital Status | Married to Rebecca |
| Petition Filed | 2023, to vacate convictions based on new evidence |
Early Life of Lyle
Joseph Lyle Menendez was born in New York City on January 10, 1968. He grew up near Princeton, New Jersey. Lyle was the older son of José Menendez, a Cuban immigrant and entertainment executive, and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez. He and his younger brother, Erik, lived a life of wealth and privilege. However, their father put a lot of pressure on them to do well in school and sports.
The Menendez brothers believe their father’s behavior went too far. Lyle’s cousin, Diane Vander Molen, said that when Lyle was eight, he told her that his father was sexually abusing him. Vander Molen informed Kitty about Lyle’s claims, but Kitty did not believe her. Vander Molen recalled that Kitty “yanked him by the arm” and took him away.
In a 1993 article from The New York Times, Lyle said he was abused from ages six to eight. Erik claimed José attacked him for twelve years. Erik also confided in a cousin about their father’s actions.
Lyle described his parents as wealthy and influential. He later said his mother struggled with alcoholism and had suicidal thoughts. After moving to Southern California in 1986, the brothers became more rebellious under their father’s strict control.
Lyle enrolled at Princeton University in 1987 but was suspended for a year for plagiarism. He often disliked school and rarely participated in activities. In 1988, he returned to Princeton but eventually dropped out again.
Murder of José and Kitty Menendez
The Crime Scene
A tragic event occurred on August 20, 1989, when someone killed José and Kitty Menendez in their home in Beverly Hills. A shooter shot José six times with a shotgun, and a shooter shot Kitty ten times. The brutality of the crime led police to think it might be a mob-related murder.
Lyle’s Call to Police
Lyle Menendez, then 21 years old, called the police to report the murders nearly two hours after they occurred. Early investigations looked into business rivals and a porn executive who had previously clashed with José.
Suspicious Behavior
Despite appearing distraught that night, the brothers’ behavior in the following months raised suspicions. They spent lavishly from the family’s fortune, with Lyle purchasing a Rolex watch, a Porsche sports car, and even making a $300,000 down payment on a restaurant named Mr. Buffalo’s. In total, the brothers spent around $700,000 within six months after their parents’ deaths.
Investigation and Arrest
This excessive spending caught the attention of the police, leading them to suspect the Menendez brothers were involved in the murders. To investigate further, authorities arranged for a friend to wear a wire during lunch with Erik and ask if he killed his parents, which Erik denied.
Later, Erik confessed to the killings during a therapy session with L. Jerome Oziel. In a shocking turn, Lyle reportedly threatened to kill the therapist if he revealed the confession. However, Oziel informed his girlfriend, who then alerted the authorities. Consequently, the Menendez brothers were arrested in March 1990.
Trials and Conviction
Lyle Menendez, dressed in a white shirt and red tie, listens in court. This was during his second murder trial on April 10, 1996.
Tape Recordings and Legal Issues
Tape recordings made by Dr. Jerome Oziel became a key point in the trial. There were debates about whether these tapes violated doctor-patient privilege. In the end, some tapes were allowed as evidence. The Menendez brothers were charged with first-degree murder in late 1992. Their trial gained national attention when it aired on Court TV, a new cable channel at the time.
The Trials
Starting in July 1993, Lyle and Erik faced separate juries. They claimed they acted in self-defense, citing years of abuse from their parents. Lyle testified that his father had raped him at age seven. He also showed photos that suggested José had taken inappropriate pictures of his sons.
Prosecution’s Argument
Prosecutors sought the death penalty, arguing that the brothers killed their parents to inherit their wealth. They pointed out that José had discussed cutting them out of his will shortly before his death.
Mistrial and Retrial
In January 1994, both juries could not reach a verdict, leading to a mistrial. The retrial began in 1995 with one jury for both brothers. This time, the judge limited testimony about sexual abuse, changing the case’s direction.
The judge also did not allow the jury to consider manslaughter charges. Ultimately, a jury found Lyle and Erik guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced them to life in prison without parole in July 1996.
Lyle Menendez’s Marriages
Current Marriage
Since 2003, Lyle Menendez has been married to Rebecca Sneed, a magazine editor. Menendez describes their relationship as “a very steady, involved marriage that helps sustain me and brings much peace and joy.” The couple is not allowed to have conjugal visits.
Previous Marriage
Before marrying Sneed, Menendez was married to Anna Eriksson in 1996. Eriksson was a pen pal and former model. In an interview with Barbara Walters, he referred to her as “a saint to put up with everything that comes with this.”
He acknowledged that their relationship was limited due to his incarceration, but he valued the “exchange of love and sharing” it provided. This connection helped him stay in touch with his emotions and avoid becoming hard and cold. Menendez and Eriksson divorced in 2001, after five years of marriage.
FAQs
What is Menendez brothers release date?
The Menendez brothers were sentenced in 1996 after their trials.
Where are the Menendez brothers now?
The Menendez brothers are still incarcerated, serving life sentences without parole..
What is the Menendez brothers documentary?
Several documentaries detail the Menendez brothers’ crimes and their trials.
Where is Lyle Menendez now?
Lyle Menendez is currently serving his life sentence in a California prison.
What is the Menendez brothers show?
Their story inspired the series “Law & Order: True Crime.”
Where is Menendez brothers house?
Their family home in Beverly Hills was the scene of their parents’ murder.
Does Lyle Menendez have a kid?
Lyle Menendez does not have any children.