Infamous brothers, Lyle and Erik Menendez, convicted for the 1989 murder of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, are back in the public eye. Social media platforms such as TikTok have sparked popularity in the case, with related hashtags and videos garnering millions of views.
Many viewers are debating whether allegations of abuse warrant leniency to their release, with common comparisons to the high profile Gypsy Rose Blanchard case from 2015, which has gained renewed attention due to her release from prison.
Khloe Wu ’26 said, “If Gypsy Rose is being released for meticulously planning her mother’s murder, then the Menendez brothers should also be considered for release. They both endured severe abuse yet the Menedez brothers are still in prison after over 30 years.”
Netflix has played a pivotal role in the case’s popularity, first with Monsters: The Menendez Brothers, a hit series that explores the events surrounding their parents’ murder, from its tense lead-up to its dramatic aftermath.
This series topped charts in 89 countries, amassing 97.5 million viewing within its first four days according to IMDb.
Following the series was a Netflix documentary featuring interviews and perspectives from the Menendez brothers, their cousin Diane Vander Molen jurors, lawyers, journalists, and the lead prosecutor Pamela Bozanich on the 1989 case. These insights brought more information to the case and stirred up public empathy for their complicated situation.
The brothers’ relatives and extended family are rallying for their release, emphasizing the severe abuse Lyle and Erik endured during their childhood and highlighted their over 30 years of rehabilitation behind bars.
This unwavering support was shown on Oct. 16, when around two dozen relatives gathered outside the Los Angeles news conference, urging the previous District Attorney George Gascón to show leniency as the case undergoes review.
Sourced from CBS News, Kitty’s Menendez’s sister, Joan Vander Molen said, “As details of the abuse came to light, it became clear their actions—while tragic—were the desperate response of trying to survive their father’s unspeakable cruelty.”
Following Nathan Hochman’s decisive victory in the recent LA County District Attorney election on Nov. 6, the Menendez brothers’ case may take a new direction under his leadership. According to ABC News, Hochman plans to, “Read through the new alleged evidence, trial transcripts, confidential prison files and interviews with family, lawyers and law enforcement.”
In addition to family support, high-profile celebrities such as Kim Kardashian have joined the conversation, showing her support, and heightening discussions about justice reform, particularly in cases involving abuse allegations.
Overall, the next legal chapter for this case will unfold in January 2025, during a rescheduled resentencing hearing that will consider new evidence, including a 1988 letter Erik wrote to his cousin, Andy Canto, detailing the abuse.
As their resentencing hearing approaches, the Menendez brothers’ case continues to serve as a focal point for debates over justice, the grueling impact of childhood abuse, and the possibility of redemption after time served.