Menendez Brothers Denied Parole, Remain Imprisoned After Hearings

Both Lyle and Erik Menendez will remain behind bars after separate parole hearings this week resulted in their denials. Lyle Menendez, 57, was denied parole on Friday, August 22, 2025, following his brother Erik Menendez, 54, whose parole was denied on Thursday.

Lyle Menendez appeared via teleconference from the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility. While parole commissioner Julie Garland acknowledged his model inmate behavior, including a lack of violence and positive relationships, she stated the panel found “still signs” of risk to the public. Garland cited “anti-social personality traits like deception, minimization and rule-breaking” and illegal cellphone possession in prison as key factors in the denial.

Erik Menendez’s denial a day prior was based on a different panel’s assessment, which highlighted his inappropriate behavior with visitors, drug smuggling, misuse of state computers, violent incidents, and illegal cellphone use during his incarceration. Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who opposes their release, commented that Erik Menendez’s “actions speak louder than words.”

The brothers, who were resentenced in May 2025 to 50 years to life, became eligible for parole under youth offender laws. They were originally sentenced to life without parole for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. The brothers claimed self-defense due to years of abuse.

While disappointed, the Menendez family expressed pride in the brothers’ conduct during the hearings and vowed to continue supporting them. Both Lyle and Erik Menendez are next eligible for parole in three years, though administrative reviews could potentially move up Lyle’s next hearing to as soon as 18 months.

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