Los Angeles District Attorney to Investigate New Evidence in Menéndez Brothers Case

The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office will review new evidence in the case of the Menéndez brothers, who were convicted of murdering their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion more than 35 years ago.

George Gascón, Los Angeles County district attorney, said during a news conference Thursday that lawyers for Erik Menéndez, 53, and his brother Lyle Menéndez, 56, had asked the court to overturn their convictions.

Gascón said his office will review the new evidence and decide whether the case should be considered for resentencing. The hearing was scheduled for November 29.

New evidence presented in the petition includes a letter written by Erik Menéndez that his lawyers say corroborates allegations that he was sexually abused by his father. Gascón said his office hasn’t made any decisions yet and doesn’t know the “validity” of what was presented at the hearing.

“We will evaluate all this,” he said.

Lyle, who was 21 at the time, and Erik, then 18, were sentenced to life in prison for fatally shooting their parents, José and Kitty Menéndez, in 1989. The brothers admitted fatally shooting their father, entertainment executive and mother, but said she feared their parents intended to kill them to prevent disclosure of Erik’s long-term sexual abuse by his father.

Prosecutors argued that the sons were attacking their parents’ multimillion-dollar fortune and said there was no evidence of abuse.

The jury rejected a death sentence in favor of life in prison without parole.

The case has gained renewed popularity in recent years, especially on TikTok, where supporters say the brothers did not receive a fair trial and are advocating for their release. In 2023, a member of the boy band Menudo said that José Menéndez sexually assaulted him – allegations that were included in a petition filed by the brothers.

The killings were the subject of a Ryan Murphy show that aired last month, which was criticized by the Menéndez family as a “grotesque shock drama.”