Erik Menendez Denied Parole After 36 Years, Lyle Menendez Awaits Decision Friday
San Diego, CA – August 22, 2025 – Erik Menendez, convicted alongside his brother Lyle for the 1989 shotgun murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, was denied parole on Thursday after a 10-hour virtual hearing at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. The California Board of Parole Hearings ruled that Erik, 54, poses an “unreasonable risk to public safety,” citing his prison rule violations, including recent possession of a contraband cellphone, and his teenage criminal history of burglaries. He will be eligible for parole again in 2028.
Lyle Menendez, 57, faces his own parole hearing on Friday before a different panel of commissioners, with a decision expected the same day. The brothers, resentenced in May 2025 to 50 years to life from life without parole, became eligible for parole under California’s youth offender laws, as they were 18 and 21 at the time of the crime. The outcome for Lyle could differ, as the board evaluates each brother independently based on their prison conduct and rehabilitation efforts.
During Thursday’s hearing, Erik faced intense questioning about his motives for the murders, which he claimed were driven by fear of abuse from his father, Jose, and his mother’s complicity. Parole Commissioner Robert Barton challenged this, stating the killings, particularly of Kitty Menendez, were “devoid of human compassion” and suggested a financial motive. Barton also criticized Erik’s prison behavior, noting his use of cellphones to access YouTube, music, and pornography, calling it “selfish” and indicative of a belief that “rules don’t apply to him.”
The Menendez family, who have long advocated for the brothers’ release, expressed disappointment but remained supportive. “While we respect the decision, today’s outcome was of course disappointing,” they said in a statement, adding, “Our belief in Erik remains unwavering… We remain cautiously optimistic and hopeful that the commissioner will see in Lyle what so many others have: a man who has taken responsibility, transformed his life, and is ready to come home.”
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who opposed parole, praised the decision, stating, “The Board correctly determined that Erik Menendez’s actions speak louder than words.” Hochman argued the brothers have not shown full insight into their crimes, a key factor for rehabilitation. A recent risk assessment rated both brothers as “moderate risk” for release, partly due to prison violations, though Erik’s were more recent, including cellphone possession as late as January 2025.
If Lyle is granted parole, the decision will undergo a 120-day review by the Board’s chief counsel for legal or factual errors, followed by a 30-day period for California Governor Gavin Newsom to approve, deny, or modify the ruling. Newsom, who has remained neutral to avoid bias, has emphasized that his decision will be based on facts, not public sentiment or media portrayals like Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.
The brothers’ case, which captivated the nation in the 1990s, has seen renewed interest due to recent documentaries and social media advocacy highlighting their claims of abuse. Despite their efforts in prison, including Erik’s hospice program and Lyle’s prison beautification project, GreenSpace, the board’s focus remains on their risk to society.
As Lyle’s hearing looms, the Menendez family and supporters await a decision that could mark a turning point in the decades-long saga. Even if parole is denied, the brothers have other legal avenues, including a habeas corpus petition for a new trial based on new evidence of their father’s alleged abuse.