Lyle Menendez and Erik Menendez went under the public’s microscope nearly 30 years ago. After killing their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in 1989, the brothers were eventually convicted in 1996 for first-degree murder and conspiracy to murder. Prosecutors consistently argued that Lyle and Erik killed their parents for inheritance money, but the siblings insist to this day that they committed the crime after being subjected to emotional, physical and sexual abuse at the hands of José and Kitty. Now that Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story has brought further attention to the brothers’ case, many want to learn more about Lyle and Erik, such as where they are now and what their net worth is today.
How Much Are the Menendez Brothers’ Worth?
José and Kitty Menendez’s estate was reportedly worth $14.5 million at the time of their deaths. José held a prestigious job at RCA before landing a position at the independent film studio Carolco Pictures. The studio was owned by International Video Entertainment (IVE).
In the aftermath of their parents’ deaths in 1989, The Los Angeles Times reported that by 1994, approximately $10 million of the Menendez estate had been spent after Lyle and Erik temporarily took control of the property. A large portion of the money went toward paying their defense team, including attorney Leslie Abramson. The Menendez Beverly Hills estate was sold in 1991 for $3.6 million, and their Calabasas, California, home was sold in 1994 for less than $2 million.
As of 2024, the Menendez brothers’ net worth remains uncertain, but with few substantial assets and mounting legal fees—especially as their sentencing is being reconsidered—their financial standing is most likely close to zero. Even as the latest subjects of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan‘s Monster anthology series, the brothers are unlikely to see any funds from such projects.
What Happened to the Menendez Brothers’ Inheritance?
Once the brothers were found guilty of their parents’ murder, the brothers lost access to the estate. Under California’s “Slayer Statute,” when someone is feloniously murdered, the perpetrator cannot profit from the victim’s estate, regardless of any family relationship.
Where Are Lyle and Erik Menendez Now?
Both brothers were sent to separate prisons and didn’t reunite for more than 20 years. In 2018, Lyle was moved to the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, California, where Erik was already housed. That year, the siblings were placed in the same housing unit at RJD.
Are the Menendez Brothers Getting Released from Prison?
In October 2024, former Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón announced in a press conference that a new court hearing for Lyle and Erik Menendez had been scheduled for November 29, 2024. He also mentioned that new evidence had been received and would be reviewed at the hearing.
“We have been given a photocopy of a letter that allegedly was sent by one of the brothers to another family member talking about him being the victim of molestation,” Gascón said. “We’ve also got evidence that was provided by the defense, by his lawyers, that one of the members of the Menudo band alleged that he was molested by the father.”
Gascón pointed out that the court has “a moral and an ethical obligation to review what is being presented to us and make a determination based on a resentencing side, whether they deserve to be resentenced — even though they were clearly the murderers — because they have been in prison for years and they have paid back their dues to society.”
The court hearing opened the possibility of a new sentence or retrial for Lyle and Erik. On October 24, Gascón announced his formal recommendation for their resentencing and eligibility for parole. However, Gascón was unseated in the election by Nathan Hochman, a former federal prosecutor, who will take office on December 2. Hochman stated that he would need time to review the case files before making a decision on the resentencing.
“I will have to review the confidential prison files for each brother, the transcripts from both trials, and speak to the prosecutors, law enforcement, defense counsel, and the victims’ family members. Only then can I make a decision. If for some reason I need additional time, I will ask the court for that time,” Hochman explained.
He added, “If I ask for a delay, it won’t be a delay for delay’s sake because I think the Menendez brothers, the victim family members, the public deserve to have a decision done as soon as it can be done in a thorough manner.”
A hearing on resentencing was originally scheduled for December 11, but it has since been postponed to January 30. On November 25, Judge Michael Jesic announced that he needed more time to review the case and wanted to ensure that District Attorney Hochman had the opportunity to do the same.
If you or anyone you know has been sexually abused, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). A trained staff member will provide confidential, judgment-free support as well as local resources to assist in healing, recovering and more.