“35 Years Later: A Family Secret Revealed That Could Change Everything for the Menendez Brothers”

Decades after the shocking crime that sent Lyle and Erik Menendez to prison for life, a family member is making waves by calling for their release. Isn’t it curious how time shifts perspectives? The brothers, infamous for the brutal murder of their parents in Beverly Hills back in 1989, initially attempted to weave a tale of cinematic innocence, only for a confession to unravel their story. During their highly publicized trials, claims of severe abuse surfaced, a narrative backed by some family members, sparking a complex debate on justice and redemption. Now, with a resentence hearing on the horizon, their relatives are stepping forward—emphasizing not just their guilt but the deep remorse and personal growth the brothers have purportedly undergone during their time behind bars. What does that truly mean for justice? Could the Menendez brothers find a path to freedom after all these years? Explore this intricate family saga and its potential implications as their kin rally for their release. LEARN MORE.

A relative of Lyle and Erik Menendez has spoken out after decades to call for their release from prison.

The brothers were given life sentences after shooting and killing their mother and father Kitty and José Menendez with shotguns at their home in Beverly Hills in 1989.

Initially claiming that they’d been out at the cinema to watch Batman and returned to find their parents dead, they were arrested the following year after Erik confessed to his psychologist, who told his mistress, who told the police after they’d broken up.

During their trials the brothers claimed they’d suffered serious abuse from their parents, particularly their father, and killed them out of fear for their own lives while prosecutors argued they’d killed them to inherit their money.

Members of the Menendez family supported the brothers claims in court, saying that Lyle and Erik had talked about being abused before they’d murdered their parents.

Erik and Lyle Menendez killed their parents in 1989, their relatives are arguing they should be released from prison (Ronald L. Soble / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

While they were both sentenced to life imprisonment, the situation for the Menendez brothers may change as a decision is due to be made today (11 April) on whether resentencing hearings will go ahead.

If a judge gives them the green light, then they could get new sentences and possibly be released from prison.

Several family members spoke to ABC News about their desire to see the Menendez brothers released, and their aunt said they were ‘like the boys that I didn’t have’.

“It’s time – 35 years is a long time. It’s a whole branch of my family erased”, their 85-year-old aunt Terry Baralt, sister to José Menendez, said.

“The ones that are gone and the ones that are still paying for it, which were kids.”

The brothers could be resentenced, which might pave the way for their release (Ted Soqui/Sygma via Getty Images)

She added that she may not have long left to live and is concerned that she may die before they are released from prison.

“I have tried to go see them as much as I can, but it’s hard because I live in New Jersey and I’m 85. I don’t have that much time,” Baralt said.

“When kids are little and they come to you, you fix the problem. I can’t help them. There is nothing I can do – just go visit them and cry when I leave.”

Over 20 relatives of the Menendez brothers have called for their release from prison, arguing that they suffered horrific abuse at the hands of their parents, admitted their guilt, and used their time behind bars to help others.

Their cousin Diane VanderMolen passed along a message on behalf of Erik, saying: “They are truly, deeply sorry for what they did. And they are profoundly remorseful.

“They are filled with remorse over what they did. And through that, they have become pretty remarkable people.”