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Lyle Menendez and Eric Menendez went to the common microscope almost 30 years ago. After killing his parents, José and Kitty Menendezin 1989, the brothers were eventually convicted in 1996 of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Prosecutors have consistently claimed that Lyle and Erik killed their parents for inheritance money, but the brothers maintain to this day that they committed the crime after suffering emotional, physical and sexual abuse at the hands of José and Kitty. Now that Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story has brought more attention to the case of the brothers, many want to learn more about Lyle and Erik, such as where they are now and what their net worth is now.
How much is the Menendez Brother worth?
The estate of José and Kitty Menendez was reportedly worth $14.5 million at the time of their deaths. José held a prestigious job at RCA before landing a position at the independent film studio Carolco Pictures. The studio is owned by International Video Entertainment (IVE).
according to Los Angeles Timesapproximately $10 million from Menendez’s estate had been spent in 1994. A large portion of the money was paid to Lyle and Erik’s defense team, including lawyers. Leslie Abramson. Menendez’s Beverly Hills estate was reportedly sold in 1991 for $3.6 million, and his home in Calabasas, California, was sold in 1994 for less than $2 million.
So far, it’s unclear where the Menendez brothers’ net worth is.
What Happened to the Menendez Brothers’ Legacy?
According to California’s “Slayer Rule,” anyone who “willfully and willfully kills” the person who killed the victim “is not entitled” to inherit “any property, interest, or benefit under the decedent’s will, or any trust created or to obtain benefit of the decedent or in which the decedent has an interest, including any general or special appointment given by the will or trust to the killer and any nomination of the killer as executor, guardian, trustee, or conservator or custodian made by the will or trust.”
Where Lyle and Erik Menendez Now?
Both brothers were sent to separate prisons and did not see each other for more than 20 years. In 2018, Lyle was transferred to the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, California, where Erik had been living. That year, the brothers were placed in the same housing unit at RJD.
Will the Menendez Brothers Be Released from Prison?
In October 2024, Los Angeles District Attorney George GascĂłn announced in a press conference that a new court hearing had been set for Lyle and Erik on November 29, 2024. The district attorney stated that he had received evidence that he would review.
“We have been given a photocopy of a letter allegedly sent by one of the brothers to another family member talking about him being a victim of molestation,” George said. “We also have evidence presented by the defense, by his lawyer, that one of Menudo’s band members admitted that he was abused by his father.”
George pointed out that the court has “a moral and ethical obligation to examine what is given to us and make a determination based on the side of resentment, whether they should be blamed – even if they are clearly murderers – because they have been in prison for many years and have paid their debts to community.”
The court hearing left open the possibility of a new sentence or retrial for Lyle and Erik. On October 24 of that year, George announced his official recommendation that Lyle and Erik be eligible for parole.
If you or someone you know has been sexually abused, call National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). Trained staff members will provide confidential, non-judgmental support, as well as local resources to help with healing, recovery and more.
