Netflix’s Monsters Season 2 – Who Are The Menendez Brothers?

Netflix's Monsters Season 2 - Who Are The Menendez Brothers?

Key Takeaways

  • Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story will debut on Netflix on September 19, focusing on the brutal double murder of their parents.
  • Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted for the murders, spending their lives in prison, with ongoing legal battles for possible release.
  • The series delves into the brothers’ defense of emotional and sexual abuse from their father as the motive for the murders.

As a seasoned legal analyst with years of experience under my belt, I must say that the Menendez brothers’ case is one that has always fascinated me. Having followed their trials and appeals since their convictions in 1996, I can attest to the fact that their story continues to unfold, even after more than three decades behind bars.


The chilling true crime drama, titled “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Saga“, debuts on Netflix starting September 19th. This marks the second installment of the critically acclaimed anthology series; the first season delved into the narrative of infamous serial killer, Jeffrey Dahmer. Produced by Ryan Murphy, this nine-episode series will be available for streaming in their entirety on the platform on the same day, allowing viewers to either binge the harrowing murder story at once or watch it piece by piece.

The series titled “Dahmer: Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” premiered in September 2022 and soon became Netflix’s second most-watched English language series ever. Initially planned as a limited series, its popularity prompted Netflix to renew it, transforming it into an anthology series with two more seasons announced in November 2022, each focusing on different notorious criminals. In May 2023, it was disclosed that the theme of season 2 would shift to the Menendez brothers, who infamously murdered their parents in Beverly Hills back in 1989.

Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story Will Be A Dramatization Of The Shocking Double Murder Case

Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story
StarringCooper Koch, Nicholas Alexander Chavez, Javier Bardem, Chloe Sevigny and Ari Graynor
Written byRyan Murphy
Created byRyan Murphy and Ian Brennan

Episode Titles

  • Blame It On The Rain
  • Spree
  • Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?
  • Kill Or Be Killed
  • The Hurt Man
  • Don’t Dream It’s Over
  • Showtime
  • Seismic Shifts
  • Hang Men

Netflix is well-known for their gripping true-crime documentaries and dramas, and they’re set to debut a new one on September 19 – “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.” This nine-episode series will reenact the chilling events leading up to the murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez in 1989, delving into the investigation that followed and the trial that ensued.

What Happened On The Night Of The Murders?

Netflix's Monsters Season 2 - Who Are The Menendez Brothers?

On the evening of August 20, 1989, in Beverly Hills, California, Jose and Kitty Menendez were residing in their opulent mansion when their sons, Lyle (age 21) and Erik (age 18), barged in, brandishing shotguns. Tragically, Jose received six gunshots, one of which was a fatal wound to the back of his head, while Kitty sustained a total of ten gunshot wounds. The heinous nature of the crime initially led authorities to suspect it as a mob-related incident. The brothers dialed 911 to report the murders, claiming they had been watching a movie at the time but needed to stop by their parents’ home to retrieve Erik’s ID, during which they discovered their parents fatally shot.

The Menendez Brothers Were Eventually Convicted For The Brutal Double Murder Of Their Parents

As a devoted follower of true crime tales, I can share this intriguing piece of history: The spotlight fell on Lyle and Erik Menendez following an unusual spending spree of around $700,000 from their inheritance within mere months after the murders. Their father, Jose Menendez, held a substantial fortune estimated at $14 million. Suspicions ran high that the brothers may have taken drastic measures to seize his wealth through the tragic act.

The trials were aired on a freshly launched cable channel known as Court TV, which would gain significant recognition the next year for its extensive coverage of the O.J Simpson’s ‘Trial of the Century’. The prosecution contended that the Menendez Brothers’ primary reason for committing the murders was to secure their parents’ substantial wealth. Conversely, the defense asserted that Lyle and Erik had been subjected to intense emotional and sexual abuse from their father, and acted in self-defense when they committed the killings.

After six months of courtroom proceedings broadcast on television, both trials concluded with a deadlock among the jury members, as they failed to reach an agreement about whether the Menendez brothers acted in self-defense or were mere cold-blooded murderers. A second trial was scheduled, and this time Lyle and Erik would stand trial together. The second trial, held in 1995 without television cameras present, saw Judge Stanley Weisberg reject the defense’s claim that the brothers acted in self-defense due to a lack of sufficient evidence of abuse. In the end, on March 21, 1996, Lyle and Erik Menendez were found guilty on two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Where Are The Menendez Brothers Now?

Netflix's Monsters Season 2 - Who Are The Menendez Brothers?

The Menendez brothers, specifically Lyle and Erik, are now cohabiting their life terms at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. Originally, after their convictions, they were kept in separate prisons. However, a change occurred in 2018 when Lyle was moved from Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California, to be with Erik.

Lyle and Erik Menendez, having served nearly three decades in prison, are still advocating for their freedom, as they were incarcerated due to a crime committed in the past. In prison, they’ve been offering counseling support to fellow inmates who have experienced sexual abuse. At 56 years old, Lyle was married to Anna Eriksson, a former model, but they divorced when it was revealed that he had been corresponding with other women. Erik is currently 53 years of age, and tied the knot with Tammi Saccoman, his pen pal, in 1999.

The History Of The Menendez Brothers’ Appeals

  • A habeas corpus petition was filed with the Supreme Court of California in 1999. Outcome: Denied.
  • Separate petitions were filed in the United States District Court. Outcome: Denied.
  • They appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in 2005. Outcome: Denied
  • In May 2023, lawyers on behalf of the brothers filed a habeas petition asking for a new hearing, or the possibility of their convictions being vacated. It’s based on supposed new evidence that a man called Roy Rossello was drugged and raped as a teenager by Jose Menendez. Outcome: Pending

Watch Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story on Netflix on September 19.

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2024-09-12 19:04