Lyle Menendez's parole request reportedly denied after brother Erik was turned down

Lyle Menendez and his younger brother Erik were convicted in 1996 for killing their parents in cold blood with a shotgun in 1989 at their luxury Beverly Hills residence in California. According to People, in a recent update, Lyle Menendez was reportedly denied parole just a day after Erik was denied parole as well.

The 57-year-old Lyle Menendez and his brother Erik, following their trial, were sentenced to lifetime imprisonment without parole. In an unexpected turn of events in May 2025, a judge decided to resentence both brothers to 50 years to life, which instantly made them eligible for parole, as they were under 26 when they murdered their parents. At the time, Lyle Menendez was 21 and Erik was 18.

Lyle Menendez, who is currently at San Diego's Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, appeared in a video conference on August 22, 2025, for his parole hearing. The Menendez family, in a statement provided to People, said:

"While we are of course disappointed by today’s decision as well, we are not discouraged. The process for parole is exceptionally rigorous, but we are incredibly proud of how Erik and Lyle showed up — with honesty, accountability, and integrity."

The statement also said:

"This is not the end of the road. Both will go before the Board again, and their habeas petition remains under review. In the meantime, we know they will take time to reflect on the Board’s recommendations and will continue to lead, mentor, and build programs that support rehabilitation and hope for others."

The statement further added:

"We know they are good men who have done the work to rehabilitate and are remorseful. We love them unconditionally and will continue to stand by them on the journey ahead."

Lyle Menendez's brother Erik hasn't been a "model prisoner," according to the Parole Commissioner

According to the New York Times, Parole Commissioner Robert Barton stated that Lyle Menendez's younger brother, Erik, hasn't been a "model prisoner." Barton also described their parents' killings as "devoid of human compassion." It has been over thirty years now that both brothers have been in prison for shooting their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, to death in their $5 million Beverly Hills residence in 1989.

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Lyle and Erik always claimed that they were defending themselves and shot their parents in self-defence, fearing for their own lives. As per People, both brothers claimed that they were sexually abused by their father, José, and also mentioned that their mother knew about it.

The brothers also stated that their father threatened to take their lives if they ever tried to say a word to anyone. However, prosecutors argued that Lyle and Erik killed their parents because of greed, as the prosecutors mentioned their excessive expenditure, following their parents' killings.

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