Erik Menendez was denied parole on Friday, nearly 36 years after he and his brother, Lyle, fatally shot their parents. This decision comes despite a recent reduction in their sentences, which made them eligible for release. Just one day later, Lyle Menendez also faced the same outcome. Their next opportunity for parole will not come for another three years.

The Menendez brothers were 18 and 21 years old when they killed their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. The case drew significant media attention and sparked public debate. The brothers claimed they acted out of self-defense due to long-term abuse, while prosecutors portrayed them as greedy killers.

After their conviction in 1996, the brothers were separated and sent to different prisons. Erik recalled the moment they were taken away, saying, "They put him in one van and I didn't understand why they were putting me in another van. I started screaming out to Lyle and they shut the door. It was the last time I saw him."

For over two decades, the brothers communicated through letters and even played chess by mail. They were finally reunited at the R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, where Lyle described the reunion as a chance to heal.

Since their reunion, both brothers have focused on education and rehabilitation. Lyle earned a sociology degree and is pursuing a master’s degree, while Erik has completed associate degrees and is working toward a bachelor’s. They have also led trauma-healing workshops and initiated the 'Green Space Project' to enhance the prison environment.

Both brothers have married while incarcerated. Erik married Tammi Menendez in 1998, while Lyle has been married twice, most recently to Rebecca Sneed, with whom he separated last year.

The Menendez case has been re-examined in recent years, particularly after the release of documentaries that highlighted the brothers' claims of abuse. In October, the Los Angeles County District Attorney announced a review of new evidence in their case. This led to a new sentence of 50 years to life for both brothers in May 2025, making them eligible for parole.

During the recent parole hearing, Erik addressed his past behavior in prison, acknowledging that he prioritized self-protection over following rules. The panel reviewed his prison record, which included multiple violations and allegations of gang involvement. Erik defended his actions, stating, "What I got in terms of the phone and my connection with the outside world was far greater than the consequences of me getting caught with the phone."

The night of the murders, Lyle called 911 to report the killings, claiming they were related to their father's business dealings. However, Erik later confessed to his psychologist that he and Lyle had killed their parents. The brothers were arrested in 1990 and charged with first-degree murder, with their father accused of having abused them throughout their childhood.