Lyle and Erik Menendez, the infamous brothers convicted of killing their parents in 1989, have once again been denied parole, following a pair of highly scrutinized hearings that unfolded under the glare of public and media attention. The California state parole board’s decision, delivered on August 23, 2025, capped a dramatic week that not only revisited the decades-old tragedy but also saw unexpected controversy erupt over the release of confidential hearing audio.
The hearings, held at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation headquarters near Sacramento, marked the brothers’ most significant step toward freedom since their conviction nearly 30 years ago. Lyle, now 57, and Erik, 54, had become eligible for parole after a Los Angeles judge reduced their sentences in May 2025 from life without parole to 50 years to life. This change was possible because both were under 26 at the time of the crime, qualifying them for parole consideration under California law.
Their story, which has fascinated and polarized the public for decades, began in Beverly Hills on August 20, 1989. That night, Lyle called 911 to report the shotgun slayings of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. The brothers, who initially claimed the killings were tied to Mafia threats or their father’s business dealings, soon came under suspicion. Within two months, Erik confessed to his psychologist that he and Lyle had committed the murders. Investigators learned that after their parents’ deaths, the brothers spent lavishly, buying luxury cars, watches, and real estate, further fueling suspicions that greed was their motive.
Arrested in early 1990 and charged with first-degree murder, the Menendez brothers never denied their actions. Instead, their defense centered on claims of years of emotional and sexual abuse by their father, arguing they acted in self-defense. Their first trial, which began in 1993, ended in a hung jury. But a second trial in 1995—this time with less focus on abuse allegations—resulted in convictions for first-degree murder, conspiracy, and special circumstances. In 1996, both were sentenced to life without parole.
Since entering prison, the Menendez brothers have tried repeatedly to overturn their convictions, filing numerous appeals that were denied. Over the years, they have also sought to better themselves and those around them, participating in educational programs, leading support groups, and even launching a prison beautification project inspired by Norway’s rehabilitative approach. Their notoriety has only grown, especially after the release of a nine-episode Netflix series, "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story," in 2024. The series reignited public debate and prompted then-Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón to review new evidence in the case.
In October 2024, prosecutors announced plans to petition for the brothers’ resentencing, and by May 2025, a judge had officially reduced their sentences, making them immediately eligible for parole. This development set the stage for the marathon parole hearings in August 2025, which would ultimately determine whether the brothers would walk free for the first time in over three decades.
The hearings themselves were tightly controlled. Only a single pool reporter from the Los Angeles Times was allowed to observe from a conference room, and audio recordings were strictly forbidden except by prison officials. Updates to the media were embargoed until after the board's decisions. Despite these precautions, drama erupted when an audio recording of Erik’s hearing was inadvertently released by state officials in response to a public records request. The leak, first reported by ABC7, caused immediate outrage among family members and attorneys, threatening to derail Lyle’s hearing the following day.
“This is disgusting,” Tiffani Lucero Pastor, a relative of the brothers, shouted at the parole board. “You’ve misled the family, and now to compound matters, you’ve violated this family and their rights.” Heidi Rummel, the brothers’ parole attorney, asked for a break and even called for the hearing to be adjourned, arguing, “We are sitting here asking Mr. Menendez to follow rules. And in the middle of this hearing, we find out CDCR is not following its own rules. It’s outrageous.”
Rummel further objected to media access and questioned the board about its policy, asking, “What policy allows for this to happen in this hearing but literally no other hearing? It’s never been done.” The board ultimately decided to move forward, with Parole Commissioner Julie Garland assuring that audio from Lyle’s hearing would not be released until all legal objections could be considered.
The hearings were grueling, stretching late into the evenings. Both brothers were questioned extensively, not only about their original crimes but also about their conduct in prison, including Erik’s use of contraband cellphones. In the end, the parole board found that both Lyle and Erik still posed a “moderate” risk to society and denied them parole for three years—the shortest possible denial period under Marsy’s Law, California’s victims’ rights legislation. Garland encouraged Lyle to use the next three years to “demonstrate, to practice what you preach about who you are, who you want to be.”
Marsy’s Law, passed by California voters in 2009, allows the parole board to set denial lengths of 15, 10, 7, 5, or 3 years, with three being the minimum. However, the law also provides for administrative review after one year if new information or a change in circumstances suggests the inmate may be suitable for parole. Both Menendez brothers, assessed as moderate risk, could have their cases reconsidered as soon as 18 months from now.
Family members and supporters, including cousin Anamaria Baralt, expressed disappointment but also hope. “A three-year denial means there will be an automatic review after a year,” Baralt wrote on Instagram. “If he’s infraction-free, hopefully no cell phone use, then he can advance to the board. Overall, a pretty disappointing week for us. But this is not a long time. They are going to get out. A couple of years ago, this was not even a possibility.”
The Menendez brothers also have a pending habeas corpus petition, filed in May 2023, seeking a review of their convictions based on new evidence supporting their claims of sexual abuse by their father. Additionally, a grant of clemency from the governor remains a distant but possible avenue for release.
The case continues to spark national debate, with social media campaigns advocating for their release and ongoing scrutiny from true crime enthusiasts and legal experts. The parole board’s decision, while disappointing to some, leaves the door open for future review. For now, the Menendez brothers remain behind bars, their fate still uncertain, but their story far from over.
