In 1989, Lyle and Erik Menendez —then aged 21 and 18—sparked a highly publicized trial after brutally murdering their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion. The case resurfaced in recent years with renewed interest, largely thanks to Ryan Murphy‘s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, followed by a Netflix documentary that featured previously unreleased phone call recordings between the brothers and director Alejandro Hartmann.
With the recent series, documentaries, and ongoing public interest, many are still left wondering if the Menendez brothers have a chance of being released from prison. To learn more about their case and where they stand today, keep reading.
What Did Lyle and Erik Menendez Do?
The brothers murdered their parents, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menéndez, in 1989 with shotguns.
After committing the crime, Lyle and Erik spent an estimated $700,000 of their inheritance, according to Time Magazine. They became suspects when Erik confessed to their psychologist, Dr. Jerome Oziel, during a therapy session. Oziel’s mistress, Judalon Smyth, later reported the confession to the police. Despite the doctor-patient confidentiality typically afforded in therapy, Oziel played a significant role in the brothers’ trials, claiming they had threatened his life.
Were the Menendez Brothers Released from Prison?
Lyle and Erik have not been released and remain incarcerated. They were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The brothers’ case, however, has been under review.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, a habeas corpus petition citing new evidence could have led to new sentences for the two siblings. The 2023 petition includes a sworn statement from former Menudo member Roy Rosselló, who alleged that he was sexually assaulted by the brothers’ father, José, in the 1980s. Additionally, the petition highlights a letter Erik wrote to a cousin months before the killings, suggesting he was a victim of abuse. At the time, former District Attorney George Gascón confirmed that a new court hearing was scheduled for November 29, 2024.
Gascón also filed a motion on October 30, 2024, supporting the Menendez brothers’ request for clemency from Governor Gavin Newsom. Describing the brothers as “model prisoners,” Gascón told CNN that he believes there is a strong likelihood they would be granted parole if the case reaches the parole board. An attorney for one of the brothers expressed hope that they could be home in time for Thanksgiving.
However, Gascón was replaced by former federal prosecutor Nathan Hochman, who took office on December 2, 2024. A resentencing hearing, initially scheduled for December 11, 2024, was postponed. On November 25, 2024, Judge Jesic explained that he needed more time to review the case and wanted to give District Attorney Hochman the same opportunity. The new hearing dates were set for January 30 and 31, 2025, but were postponed again.
The Menendez brothers were scheduled to return to court on March 20, 2025, for a hearing to determine if they should be resentenced. However, DA Hochman announced he asked the court to reject Lyle and Erik’s request for a new trial.
“We looked again at the credibility of the letters, particularly this Andy Cano 1988 supposed letter weighed in the continuum of lies, and it calls into drastic question whether this is in fact a 1988 letter written by Erik Menendez to Andy Cano about this sexual abuse,” Hochman said.
In February 2025, ahead of their hearing, California GovernorNewsom urged the parole board to conduct a thorough risk assessment of the Menendez brothers. This investigation will determine whether they would pose a danger to the public if granted parole.
A month later, weeks before their resentencing hearing, Hochman said he did not support the brothers’ possible resentencing and claimed that Lyle and Erik have been telling “lies” for decades. Judge Jesic held a hearing on April 11 to announce that resentencing proceedings would continue on April 17 and 18, 2025.
According to NBC News in Los Angeles, Anamaria Baralt, a cousin of the Menendez brothers, said, “There have been some delays in this process that were unforeseeable, like the wildfires, that, of course, we have great patience for. This is another delay that is not so much, but we will continue to show up as a family.”
The reason for the latest pause was that the governor needed to review a risk assessment report, which neither the judge nor the lawyers had seen yet. This report was originally meant to be used in a separate hearing in June. Because of the confusion, the court decided to pause the current hearing to review the report. The resentencing hearing is now scheduled for May 9, 2025.
Where Are Lyle and Erik Now?
Both Lyle and Erik are serving their sentences at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in California. They were reunited in 2018 at the prison, after initially being sent to separate prisons following their 1996 conviction.
During their time apart, Lyle spoke to PEOPLE in 2017, sharing that, despite the crime, the ordeal brought them closer. They stayed in touch by playing chess through the mail and writing letters to each other. “We’re not twins, but when you’ve gone through the kind of chaotic childhood that we had, it’s almost like you are. You have that bond and that shared experience,” he said.
How Long Are Lyle & Erik’s Prison Sentences?
The brothers were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murders of their parents. Their trials began in 1993, and they were found guilty in 1996.
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.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP(4357).