Menendez Brothers Parole Update: Board Denies Erik's Bid For Freedom as Lyle Awaits Hearing On Prison Fate After Parents' Brutal Murders
Erik Menendez has been denied parole ahead of brother Lyle's hearing.
Aug. 22 2025, Published 8:23 a.m. ET
Erik Menendez has been denied parole and ordered to remain behind bars for the brutal 1989 murders of parents Jose and Kitty, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
Erik, 54, and older brother Lyle Menendez were both convicted of first-degree murder in the deaths of their parents in 1996 and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Following a years-long fight, the Menendez brothers were resentenced in May to 50 years to life behind bars. With the resentencing, youth offender parole laws allowed for Erik and Lyle to be eligible for parole beginning this year.
Erik's 10-Hour Virtual Parole Hearing
Erik's 10-hour long virtual parole hearing took place on Thursday, August 21.
Erik's parole hearing was held on Thursday, August 21. He joined the virtual meeting from the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, California.
During the hearing Erik was required to recall gruesome details of his mom and dad's murders as he was questioned about his criminal history and life in prison. He gave a closing statement and relatives also addressed the parole board.
After 10 long hours, Erik learned his fate: the board rejected his request for release with a three-year denial. After three years he will be eligible for parole again.
Parole Board Rejects Freedom Bid in 3-Year Denial
Erik was denied parole and will be eligible again in three years.
Parole Commissioner Robert Barton said the board believed Erik still posed "an unreasonable risk to public safety" for the heinous crime he committed when he was just 18-years-old.
Barton told Erik: "I believe in redemption or I wouldn't be doing this job ... but based on the legal standards, we find that you continue to pose an unreasonable risk to public safety."
Lyle, 57, is set to appear before the board for his hearing on Friday, August 22.
As RadarOnline.com reported, L.A. County District Attorney Nathan Hochman released a fiery statement slamming the brothers and the "false narrative" they've promoted in their fight for freedom a day before Erik's hearing. Hochman also claimed society would be at "risk" if the brothers were released.
The Parole Board's Reasons For Denying Erik's Bid
The 54-year-old will be eligible for parole again in three years.
Factors that reportedly played into the board's decision to deny Erik's request included burglaries he committed before the double murder, the killing of his mother and using cell phones behind bars.
Barton said, "While we give great weight to youth offender factors, your continued willingness to commit crimes and violate prison rules," weighed heavily against his case for release.
The commissioner noted the fatal shooting of Kitty showed Erik was "devoid of human compassion" when he carried out the brutal act alongside his brother.
He added: "I can't put myself in your place. I don't know that I've ever had rage to that level, ever. But that is still concerning, especially since it seems she was also a victim herself of the domestic violence."
Parole Board Calls Out Erik's Behavior Before and After Murders
Barton said Erik 'was not in imminent fear' for his life and could have 'legally left' his parents' home when the murders took place.
At trial prosecutors argued the murders were financially motivated and pointed to the brothers' lavish spending in the immediate aftermath as supporting evidence.
The defense claimed the Menendez brothers were in fear for their lives and snapped after enduring years of horrific sexual and mental abuse at the hands of their father – and further alleged Kitty was aware of the situation.
Barton told Erik he could have "legally left" his parents' home at the time of the murders.
He said, "We recognize and understand that many sexual assault victims find it hard to come forward especially when the perpetrators are family members," but noted most victims do not execute their perpetrators with heavy firearms in their living rooms.
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Barton said Erik "was not in imminent fear" for his life.
While Barton noted the spending spree the brothers enjoyed after their parents deaths, he made it clear the severity of the crime was "not a primary reason for this denial. It's still your behavior in prison."
He said: "One can pose a risk to public safety in many ways, with several types of criminal behavior, including the ones you were guilty of in prison."
The commissioner also appeared to mock support for the brothers sparked by Ryan Murphy's hit Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, which revived interest in the case.
"Contrary to your supporters' beliefs, you have not been a model prisoner, and frankly we find that a little disturbing."
