In that case, the prosecution argued that the brothers had been motivated by greed, pointing to the lavish shopping they did after the killings. As is often the case with allegations of this nature, there is no evidence to corroborate or disprove the brothers' stories. The elder Menendez supposedly had codenames for four types of sex:"Knees" stood for oral sex, "nice sex" meant massaging his genitals,"sex" meant anal penetration,and "rough sex" meant he would force Lyle to perform oral sex on him while sticking sharp tacks and needles into his thighs and buttocks. A white girl is missing, and the news crews are lined up, breathlessly reporting, In the summer of 2022, a year before the WGA writers strike, a friend of mine attended a wedding and met a Hollywood TV producer. On August 20, 1989, Lyle and Erik who were 21 and 18 at the time, respectively walked into their parents Beverly Hills mansion, armed with shotguns. We may never know what actually went on in the Menendez house or who is really telling the truth about the alleged abuse. He used objects a toothbrush and some sort of shaving utensil brush. Lyle claimed that his father would force him to have oral sex with him and allegedly told him that it was "ritual male bonding." Meanwhile, Lyle Menendez was accepted to Princeton, where he excelled as a tennis player. The Menendez brothers attacked their parents while their mother rested her head on their father's lap. In 1989, two brothers from an extremely affluent family murdered both of their parents with shotguns in their Beverly Hills mansion. If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact RAINN via its helpline on 800 656 HOPE (4673) or its online chat, available 24/7 seven days a week. Ive talked with the boys about this, and its something that they dont fully understand. How could he just disappear? Elaine Hall texted her ex-husband. If you are interested in finding out more about this case, check out Truth and Lies: The Menendez Brothers, on ABC Jan. 5. Lyle and Erik initially tried to blame the attacks on a Mafia hit or a business deal gone wrong. In April 2021, the brothers were featured in an episode of ABC's 20/20. Lyle said he took Erik into the woods and used a toothbrush to molest him. In the end they shot their father five times and their mother nine, with the final bullet for each going into their kneecaps in an attempt to make the murders look like a mob hit. [Watch The Menendez Brothers: Sins of the Children on A&E Crime Central.]. I found in the people I interviewed, the vast majority of them thought the notion they would do this for money made no sense at all. Vander Molan said that after that night that Kitty ripped Lyle out of bed she just assumed that the mother had taken care of the situation, but now believes that was not the case. It was later estimated that in the six months after killing their parents the two brothers spent $1million on everything from a full time tennis coach and Porsche to arestaurant in Princeton, New Jersey. They were tried again, and convicted, in 1995. Lyle Menendez, left, and Erik Menendez were tried and convicted in Santa Monica in the 1989 killings of their parents. So its helpful to understand how horrendous it must be to get to the point where they will kill them. What about all the money they spent after the murders? On two different occasions, he and some friends were arrested for burglary. Hed rape me, Lyle claimed at the time. I love my mother, and I still cry over my mother, and I don't forgive her, he said. Web— -- The cousin of Lyle and Erik Menendez, brothers who were convicted of the 1989 murders of their parents, says she has no doubt the brothers parents sexually abused them. By: Catherine Townsend Related To: Menendez Brothers Lyle Menendez revealed details about the events leading up to the shotgun murders of his parents on August 20, 1989 and the sexual abuse he says that he With not enough evidence to implicate the brothers police began looking elsewhere for possible suspects while Lyle and Erik began to spend their father's fortune. Boys Betrayed that Jos Menendez molested him while he was a teenage Lyle and Erik Menendez were The psychologist, L. Jerome Oziel, was having an affair at the time with a woman in his office who overheard what was said in the session after listening through the door while the brothers were meeting with the doctor. In the new Peacock docuseries Menndez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed, ex-Menudo member Roy Rossell Moving to Southern California in 1986, the brothers began to fall into the wrong crowd (via Biography). 30, 1992 According to Today, Rossell alleges in the docuseries that Jose Menendez molested, drugged and raped him when the then-teenager was performing with the Menendez Murders: Could New Revelations Lead to a New Trial for Lyle and Erik Menendez? Kitty Menendez's older brother, Brian Anderson, stated that the idea that his sister or brother-in-law would abuse either of their sons was utter nonsense (via In Touch Weekly). But the brothers were arrested a few months later, after going on a huge spending spree that included cars, lavish parties, and dropping $15,000 on three Rolex watches. A former member of the boy band Menudo alleges in a new documentary series that the slain father of the Menendez brothers raped him when he was a child. Their privacy was everything to them. Youre highly likely to find elements of the abuse and neglect that you found with Lyle and Erik. Prosecutors were handed this information, and arrest warrants were issued for both Menendez brothers. Lyle and Erik Menndez - Wikipedia In Touch Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. 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She was previously a Times intern after graduating from UCLA and has also worked at Variety, the Hollywood Reporter and CNN. The only people who know the truth are Lyle, Erik, Kitty, and Jose. What about the decision to kill their mother, Kitty Menendez? This was the opposite of a cold-blooded killing, Lyle said. Leader of white supremacist group is completely rehabilitated after taking a single pill as part of study, Morgan Wallen's toddler son rushed to ER after rescue dog BIT his face in terrifying attack but his tearful mother refuses to put the animal down, 'I'm all clear! She also informed police that the sessions had been taped. They didn't need the money. Prosecutors were highly skeptical of Lyle Menendez's claims. Pivoting away from the romantic shenanigan, Missing Black Girls Deserve More Attention. Ex-Member of Menudo Says He Was Raped by Father of the O'Donnell has now come to their defence, speaking out in a recent TikTok video. Commentary: Why did Center Theatre Group really halt programming at the Mark Taper Forum? She also noted that the two brothers has an odd relationship with their mother, saying: 'This was when Lyle was 15 and Erik would have been 12, and when Jose wasnt supposed to be home that night, the two of them would argue over who got to sleep with their mom. Her life ended and our lives essentially ended all because of this fateful decision. She was shot 10 times. The Truth About The Menendez Brothers' Sad Childhood - Grunge And prosecutors claimed that the boys motive was pure greed, and that they killed their parents because they wanted the $14 million estate they left behind. Menendez Brothers I studied the available recordsschool, health, crime records that were availableand interviewed teachers, friends, girlfriends, family, extended family and a coach. When Lyle learned that his brother had [been] sexually abused all through these years, he was committed to protecting his brother. In a particularly gruesome detail, the brothersactually had to leave the den where the shooting took place and retrieve more bullets from their car to reload. Diane Vander Molen, 57, spoke with ABC in an interview that will air Thursday night and said that while she was spending a summer with the brothers, Lyle told her he was being molested by his father Jose. I remember specifically taking one of the kids and going off and saying he wanted to talk to him alone and they went off into the house upstairs., When told of Roys allegations against his father by journalist and executive producer Robert Rand, Erik continued, Frankly, to be honest, I feel horrible. Directed by Esther Reyes, Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed begins streaming May 2 on Peacock. She was a very painful part of their lives, throughout their lives. The brothers case has been appealed numerous times to no avail, but criminal defense attorney Alan Jackson toldTODAYthat Roys allegations could potentially make a difference to their time behind bars. And then Jos and Kitty would turn on the charm when they had people over, which wasnt very often., In light of the varying opinions of their story, Lyle has come to accept those dubious of his claims. Of course, the abuse allegations proved to be the cornerstone of the Menendez brothers defense throughout their iconic murder trial. In the years since the trial, many people including those closest to the brothers have shared vastly differing opinions about claims that both their parents abused them sexually. Its a claim that Lyle continues to make, long after he was dismissed by investigators. Alarmed by what she was hearing, Vander Molan immediately went to her aunt, Kitty Menendez. Goes Out newsletter, with the week's best events, to help you explore and experience our city. The brothers were living the lifestyle that many youths would envy: lavish vacations, private tennis lessons, a beautiful home (via People). Ive sort of made peace with who my father was, Lyle tells PEOPLE in a rare prison interview that appears in this weeks issue, on newsstands now. Do not sell or share my personal information. He went on to state that he and his brother only murdered their parents so that the abuse on Lyle would stop. ', Family: Vander Molansaid that Lyle was just 8 when he told her 'he was afraid to sleep in his own bed because his father and him had been touching each other down there' (l to r: Lyle, Kitty, Jose and Erik), Fear:'He was scared to sleep in his own bed because he was afraid that his father was going to come in and molest him that night,' said Vander Molan (l to r: Lyle, Jose and Erik). On August 20, 1989, Beverly Hills police were called to the home of Jose Menendez (via ABC News). O'Donnell said: "[The letter] basically said, 'I know you know, and I hope we could connect'. Well it probably wouldve looked that way to most people because he was a little older and had a wider sphere of activity and movement. 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From the time of their conviction in 1996, the Menendez brothers were kept in separate prisons, more than 500 miles apart (via The Sun). Erik married Tammi Menendez in 1999, as their relationship started from her sending him letters for years. Were the Menendez Brothers Molested? Hed rape me.. Authorities confirm former fugitive, Leticia Smith was extradited from Mexico to California. The crimes committed by Lyle and Erik Menendez took teenage angst toterrifying levels when they shot and killed their mom and dadin one of the most brutal, high-profile crimes in American history. The judge has to grant a new trial, and the defense has to win at trial, Jackson explained. The two were just 18 and 21 at the time of their 1993 trial which centred around the murder of their parents four years earlier in 1989. All Rights Reserved. Only an average student, his acceptance into this prestigious private university might have been helped by his father's $50,000 donation to the school (via ABC's 20/20). He had a sickness and Ive forgiven him, Lyle says, but I dont know if hes forgiven me., The 49-year-old convict who along with his brother was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the grisly killings of their wealthy parents in 1989 pauses for a moment as he speaks, then continues: I dont know if my mother forgives me, but I have definitely struggled mightily to find a peaceful place to forgive her.. I did know that they were innocent. She claims that Lyle was scared to sleep in his own bed when she was staying there once, allegedly for fear that he would be touched inappropriately if he was alone. And then Jose and Kitty would turn on the charm when they had people over, which wasnt very often.'. The claim was brought to light in the trailer for Peacocks upcoming three-part docuseries, Menendez + Menudo: Boys Exactly why Lyle feels the need to forgive the two people he and his brother shot 15 times, as they watched TV in the den of their Beverly Hills, California, home, lies at the heart of what made the case one of the nations most-publicized. By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and that you have read our Privacy Policy. Lyle has been married twice since his conviction, wedding model and at the time longtime pen-pal Anna Eriksson in 1996 but divorcing her five years later. I think that the crime scene didnt show that it was cold-blooded, it showed that it was very hot-blooded, very emotional. Lists about who they murdered, how they did it, and other horrifying facts that will keep you wide awake tonight, shaking your head at humanity. While we represen, Welcome to If You Know, You Know, the corner of the internet celebrating the most interesting people and dissecting phenomena within our rich diaspora. Jose Menendez died almost instantly from the shot to the back of the head, but Kitty Menendez suffered manyshots to the legs, arms, chest, and face. Erik then called his brother Lyle to come join his session and after he too detailed what the two brothers had done, the older brother threatened the life of the doctor saying that is he ever told anyone they would kill him as well. 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But many people knew there was sexual abuse in this family.. If you or someone you know may be the victim of child abuse, please contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services. Photo: Courtesy of Lifetime. ABC News reported that Lyle claimed about Jose, He used objects a toothbrush and some sort of shaving utensil brush. During the trial, prosecutors rebutted the brothers claims of abuse, alleging they wanted their parents millions, hated their father and included their mother as a victim because she would have been a witness. O'Donnell's support stems from her belief in the brothers' defense that they were sexually molested by their father, Jose Menendez. Lyle's first wife Anna Eriksson in court in 1996. O'Donnell reflected: "People weren't ready to accept the fact that boys too get raped - sometimes by their fathers - and as a culture, we ridiculed them. WebMore than three decades later, former group member Roy Rossell came forward with sexual abuse claims against Jose, claiming in the 2023 Peacock docuseries Menendez + They were completely different people when nobody was around. Brothers Erik and Lyle Menendez were imprisoned in 1996 for the murders of their parents on 20 th August 1989 after two trials and in spite of the fact that their relatives testified to the sexual and emotional abuse they suffered. He had to deal with his love for his father and his great fear of his father. Several family members and friends have long denied the brothers' claims of abuse. I always hoped and believed that one day the truth about my dad would come out, but I never wished for it to come out like this the result of trauma another child has suffered. Now serving life in prison, the brothers will never see the free world again. And I was very convinced by the end of the trial that the whole thing was fabricated based upon evidence that I gathered from various sources.. Throughout the trial and even now, the brothers claim that they killed their parents because they were simply afraid of them, according to the New York Times. Alternatively, you can contact Victim Support free on 08 08 16 89 111 available 24/7, every day of the year, including Christmas. Lyle will reveal more on ABC Thursday night, while Erik declined to be interviewed for the special. He describes the murders to PEOPLE as the most astounding and regrettable thing that has happened in my life., Plenty of people dont buy the brothers story. Menudo's Roy Rossell says Menendez brothers' dad raped him Lyle Menendez fired the first shots at Jose Menendez, with one hitting the back of his head. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. Both are very talented, very smart guys. Lyle Menendez fired his shotgun into the back of his father's head, killing him instantly. Brian Andersen, Kitty Menendezs brother, claimed to ABC News that the sexual abuse The blast obliterated her face, leaving the former beauty queen unrecognizable. Lyle claimed that "she was enjoying it," but that he was not. The explosion that occurred that weekend shattered and destroyed everyones lives.. And what about the theory that Erik is a closeted homosexual, and that his fathers homophobia mightve been a motivating factor in the homicides? Some of the tapes were also allowed into evidence. WebDec. Many of them still want to be back with those people. WebA cousin of Lyle and Erik Menendez is breaking her silence in a new interview with ABC and revealing that one of the brothers told her he was being molested by his father when Lala Kent Revealed When 'Vanderpump Rules' Will Begin Filming Season 11, Tom Hanks' Niece Thought Her 'Claim To Fame' Meltdown Was "Hilarious", Taylor Swift Just Added Another U.S. Eras Tour Stop Plus 8 International Dates, Adele Had This Burning Question About 'Vanderpump Rules' Star Tom Sandoval, Get Even More From Bustle Sign Up For The Newsletter. Our family tragedy should be a lesson to all on the destructive effects of child abuse and molestation, whether they are wealthy or not.. When the killings occurred, I think the fairest way to describe it is that they were in a state of great fear, panic and hopelessness. Lyle Menendez, left, and Erik Menendez were tried and convicted in Santa Monica in the 1989 killings of their parents. During their first trial, which took place in 1993, both Erik and Lyle -- who were 18 and 21