Menendez Brothers Netflix True life Story Behind Movie Everything To Know
Netflix’s latest true-crime series, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” delves into one of the most infamous cases in American criminal history. Created by Ryan Murphy, this series revisits the chilling events of August 20, 1989, when brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez brutally murdered their parents, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home.
The Menendez Family
José Menendez, a successful entertainment executive, and his wife Kitty, lived a seemingly perfect life in Beverly Hills with their two sons, Lyle and Erik. However, beneath the surface, the family harbored dark secrets that would also eventually lead to tragedy1.
The Murders
On the night of August 20, 1989, Lyle and Erik, then 21 and 18 years old. Entered their parents’ den armed with 12-gauge shotguns. They shot their parents multiple times, including in the kneecaps, to make the murders look like a mob hit2. After the killings, the brothers went to a movie and a food festival, attempting to create an alibi1.
The Investigation and Trials
Initially, the police did not suspect the brothers. However, their extravagant spending in the months following the murders raised suspicions. The breakthrough came when Erik confessed to his psychologist, Dr. Jerome Oziel, whose mistress later tipped off the police2.
The brothers were arrested in March 1990, leading to two highly publicized trials. The first trial ended in a mistrial due to a deadlocked jury, but in the second trial, the brothers were found guilty and also sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 19961.
The Defense and Public Opinion
During the trials, the defense argued that the brothers had suffered years of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse at the hands of their parents, which led them to commit the murders out of fear for their lives1. This claim has divided public opinion, with some viewing the brothers as victims and others as cold-blooded killers2.
The Netflix Series
“Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” aims to explore the complexities of this case, questioning who the real monsters were. The series stars Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch as Lyle and Erik, with Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny portraying their parents12. It promises to provide a nuanced look at the events leading up to the murders. And the subsequent trials, shedding light on the psychological and emotional turmoil within the Menendez family.
The Menendez brothers’ case remains one of the most controversial and talked-about criminal cases in American history. Netflix’s new series offers a fresh perspective on the story. Also encouraging viewers to reconsider their views on guilt, innocence, and the impact of familial abuse.
