Photo credits: The New York Times
Author’s Note:
As the case of Gypsy Rose Blanchard reentered the spotlight with her 2023 release from prison, a similar case has been a subject of discourse: the Menendez Brothers who, similarly to Gypsy Rose Blanchard, murdered their parents. This 1989 case, which had been a TV sensation as trials progressed over seven years, has risen to attention once more with Netflix releasing a documentary on the two brothers. As the court proceedings ensued, it quickly became clear that Lyle and Erik Menendez had murdered their parents. The more interesting topic to many was the reason behind this gruesome act. The brothers cited emotional and sexual abuse which had resulted in a murder scene so brutal that their parents had been unrecognizable. This unique case has become a TV sensation again decades later, but the facts of this case must be thoroughly examined before blindly believing the embellishing details that the media may convey.
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Tonight was the night. After months of strategic planning and contemplating, they had decided it needed to happen.
The night before had been the last straw. Their parents had, once, again committed acts anyone else would deem sexual assault, yet their parents deemed acceptable. Controlling and abusive, their parents had them trapped.
Lyle knew Erik was scared. Only eighteen, Erik was bound to be doubtful and reliant on their parents, even after years of emotional and physical abuse. Lyle’s promise that they would stay together no matter what happened was the only thing keeping Erik on board.
So, as the sunset and the noise of the television drowned out their footsteps, the brothers slowly approached their parents and, finally, fired two perfect shots. At last, freedom, though it would not last long.
This was how in August of 1989, Jose Menendez and Kitty Menendez were killed by their sons, 21-year-old Lyle and 18-year-old Erik, in their Beverly Hills mansion. Without context, these murders seem horrifying and unjustified. However, many argue that the brothers’ actions were understandable.
The brothers have maintained for years that their father began to sexually abuse Lyle when he was between six and eight years of age. The same occurred to Erik once he turned six. The brothers’ older cousin, Diane Vander Molen, further testified in support of these claims. According to Molen, during one of the summers she spent at the Menendezes’ home, eight-year-old Lyle had confided to her that “he was afraid to sleep in his own bed, because his father and him had been touching each other down there, indicating that it was his genital area.”
This abuse allegedly continued for years, until, at twenty-one and eighteen, Lyle and Erik took action. On the night of August 20, 1989, after a fight between the brothers and their parents, the brothers shot their parents over a dozen times with a shotgun while their parents were watching television. Their mother was killed while attempting to escape, but their father was killed at point-blank range.
Lyle explained that after the fight, his mother “said that I had ruined the family, then my dad came out and took her by the arm and they walked into the den and then my dad closed the doors. I was sure that that was it. I realized that they had been waiting for Erik to get home like I had been.”
Thus, the murder was a result of over a decade of sexual abuse and ultimately provoked by an intense argument and built-up hatred. After the murder, the brothers called 911, claiming they had just found their parents’ dead bodies while sobbing. They spent much of their parents’ money, but Erik eventually confessed to the crime to his psychologist, who told his mistress, who ultimately reported the brothers to the police, resulting in their arrest.
This long series of events eventually resulted in the brothers being sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Since then, the case has been sensationalized, gripping the attention of viewers across the world despite having been settled decades ago.
Ryan Murphy’s 2022 drama TV series “Monster,” for example, depicted the story of the Menendez brothers. The show’s release stirred intense controversy with Erik Menendez commenting that he felt disappointed at how Murphy “shaped his horrible narrative through vile and appalling character portrayals of Lyle and of me and disheartening slander.”
The show was further criticized for its speculation about a possible incestuous romantic relationship between the two brothers as well as its portrayal of the brothers as sex symbols despite their case centering heavily on sexual abuse. With the release of a new Netflix documentary on the case titled “The Menendez Brothers,” it is likely that some aspects have been inevitably sensationalized and will therefore be slightly misleading.
Viewers must remember that although this sensationalism can be entertaining, acknowledging the facts of a case is essential to avoid undermining the seriousness of a legal event or overlooking vital details to understanding a case.
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Jurisview Journal is a student-led blog that publishes biweekly articles about interesting criminal cases. Our aim is to shed light on cases that require justice or further exploration and provide input on controversial legal events. We also publish infographics to help victims or those who wish to educate themselves on legal issues.
Works Cited
Associated Press. “Timeline of Menendez Brothers' Case | TIME.” Time, 25 October 2024, https://time.com/7097692/menendez-brothers-case-timeline/. Accessed 1 November 2024.
Factora, James, and Mathew Rodriguez. “The Controversy Around Ryan Murphy's Menéndez Brothers True Crime Show, Explained.” Them.us, 27 September 2024, https://www.them.us/story/menendez-brothers-ryan-murphy-monsters-true-crime-show-explained. Accessed 1 November 2024.
Sanchez, Chelsey. “The True Story Behind the Menendez Brothers’ Murders.” The True Story Behind the Menendez Brothers' Murders, 25 October 2024, https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a62385571/monsters-lyle-erik-menendez-murders-true-story-explained/. Accessed 1 November 2024.
Strause, Jackie. “Ryan Murphy Defends 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.'” The Hollywood Reporter, 24 September 2024, https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/ryan-murphy-defends-monsters-the-lyle-and-erik-menendez-story-1236010685/. Accessed 1 November 2024.
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