On August 20, 1989, Lyle and Erik Menendez shot and killed their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion. The crime shocked the nation, and the brothers’ trials were some of the most highly publicized in U.S. history, leading to their conviction and life sentences in 1996. Since then, the case has continued to captivate the public through documentaries, podcasts, and countless discussions on whether the brothers were cold-blooded killers or victims of abuse driven to extreme action.
Now, in 2024, Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is reigniting the debate, offering a fresh look at the tragic events and the brothers’ controversial claims of parental abuse. This second installment of Murphy’s Monsters anthology aims to examine how “monsters” are made, exploring the psychological and emotional trauma that shaped the Menendez brothers’ lives.
The Menendez Family’s Turbulent Life
José Menendez, a Cuban immigrant, was a successful businessman who moved to the U.S. as a teenager. After marrying Kitty Menendez in 1963, the couple began building a life that, from the outside, appeared luxurious and idyllic. José quickly rose through the corporate ranks, securing high-level positions in major companies such as RCA and later at Carolco Pictures, where he earned a sizable income.
By the mid-1980s, José and Kitty had moved from New Jersey to California, settling into a multi-million-dollar home in Beverly Hills. While José worked long hours, Kitty raised their two sons, Lyle and Erik, and struggled with her own mental health issues, reportedly battling depression and suicidal tendencies as her husband’s infidelities deeply affected her.
Despite the family’s wealth and status, their life was far from perfect. The boys began falling into trouble, and Erik was implicated in a series of burglaries in 1988. Kitty, devastated by her husband’s affairs and grappling with her sons’ behavior, attempted suicide multiple times. Friends and family described Kitty as deeply unhappy, but few could have predicted the tragic events that would follow.
The Murders and Aftermath
On that fateful summer night in 1989, the Menendez brothers, aged 21 and 18, respectively, shot their parents in their Beverly Hills living room. José, 45, was killed by a point-blank shot to the back of his head, while Kitty, 47, was shot multiple times. Initially, police suspected the murders might have been a mob hit, but eventually, the investigation turned toward the brothers, especially after Lyle and Erik began spending lavishly in the months following the killings.
In March 1990, Lyle was arrested, and Erik surrendered shortly thereafter. The brothers’ defense claimed that they had endured years of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse at the hands of their parents, particularly their father. This claim, which came to dominate their defense during their first trial in 1993, divided public opinion. While some believed the brothers acted in fear and desperation, others viewed the killings as an act of greed, motivated by a desire to inherit their parents’ fortune.
The Trials and Convictions
The Menendez brothers’ first trial, televised on Court TV, ended in two deadlocked juries, with some jurors reportedly swayed by the brothers’ claims of abuse. Lyle and Erik testified in graphic detail about the alleged sexual abuse they had suffered, particularly from their father, José, while also accusing their mother, Kitty, of emotional manipulation and neglect.
However, during their second trial in 1996, the judge ruled that much of the abuse-related evidence was inadmissible, leading to a different outcome. The brothers were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The conviction brought some closure to the case, but debates over their motivations and the validity of their claims have persisted.
Ryan Murphy’s Take: A New Lens on an Old Story
In 2024, Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story revisits this complex and emotionally charged case. Starring Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Lyle, Cooper Koch as Erik, Javier Bardem as José, and Chloë Sevigny as Kitty, the series aims to explore the psychological dynamics within the Menendez family and the cycle of abuse that may have contributed to the murders.
Murphy has emphasized that the show is not about excusing the brothers’ actions, but rather understanding the environment that may have led to the horrific crime. “This season was about abuse… [We are] more interested in talking about how monsters are made, as opposed to born,” Murphy said during a screening of the series.
As cultural attitudes toward abuse and trauma have evolved since the original trials, Monsters promises to spark renewed discussions about whether the Menendez brothers were truly victims or calculating killers.
The Cast and Their Real-Life Counterparts
In addition to its gripping narrative, Monsters features a star-studded cast. Nicholas Alexander Chavez, known for his role on General Hospital, portrays Lyle Menendez. He shared that playing Lyle offered him the opportunity to explore complex human emotions, filling in the gaps between fact and speculation. Cooper Koch, who plays Erik Menendez, expressed how preparing for the role deepened his gratitude for his own loving family.
Javier Bardem takes on the role of José Menendez, while Chloë Sevigny plays Kitty Menendez. Both actors have spoken about the challenges of portraying such deeply flawed characters, especially given the allegations of abuse. Sevigny, in particular, noted the difficulty of empathizing with Kitty, saying, “How do you begin to understand a woman who may have turned a blind eye to such abuse?”
Closing Thoughts: A Case That Continues to Haunt
Over 35 years after the murders, the Menendez case remains one of the most debated crimes in U.S. history. With the release of Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, audiences are once again invited to examine the complexities of the case. While the brothers continue to serve life sentences, their story—woven with themes of abuse, privilege, and tragedy—continues to challenge and intrigue those who encounter it.