Menendez’s younger brother, Eric, has spoken out about his past crimes that are portrayed in Ryan Murphy’s new Netflix series, Monsters: The Lyle & Erik Menendez Story.
In an online statement posted through his wife Tammy Menendez’s X account, Menendez, who was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to murder along with his brother Lyle for the murders of their parents, said the series committed a “devastating characterization” of the couple. The statement also accused Murphy of bad faith due to the nature of the story the showrunners crafted.
“I am heartbroken, but I cannot imagine that Ryan Murphy could be so ignorant and inaccurate about the facts of our lives that he would do something like this without any malicious intent,” Menendez said in a statement.
Menendez, who is currently serving a life sentence with his brother Lyle at the RJ Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, California, accuses the series of reviving a “dishonest” narrative about their lives and misrepresenting men’s trauma and sexual abuse. He also says he is saddened by what he feels is a step backwards in understanding childhood trauma and accuses the series of perpetuating harmful lies and slander. He concludes his statement by thanking those who have supported him and calling for the truth to prevail.
The graphic miniseries stars Javier Bardem as the father, Jose Menendez, and Chloe Sevigny as the mother, Kitty Menendez, while Nicolas Chavez and Cooper Koch play their sons, murderers Lyle and Erik Menendez.
Variety’s chief television critic, Aramide Tinubu, strongly criticized the series, writing, “The show tries to shed light on the circumstances that led to the crimes, highlighting Eric and Lyle’s trauma. But ultimately, the story feels pointless and bizarre.” You can read the full review here.
Below is Menendez’s full statement.
“They created a caricature of Lyle that was rooted in the egregious and blatant lies that permeated the show, and believed they had risen above Lyle’s lies and destructive characterization. I can only believe they did so on purpose. I say wholeheartedly that Ryan Murphy could not be so ignorant and inaccurate about the facts of our lives without malicious intent.”
“I am saddened to learn that Netflix’s dishonest portrayal of the tragedy surrounding our crimes has taken the painful truth several steps back – all the way back to a time when prosecutors built their story on the belief system that men don’t get sexually abused and that men experience the trauma of rape differently than women. This terrible lie has been challenged and exposed over the past two decades by countless brave victims who overcame their personal shame to speak out. Now Murphy is fabricating that horrific story through his vile, appalling characterization and disheartening smears of Lyle and me.
“Is the truth not enough? Let the truth remain the truth. How demoralizing to know that one man in a position of power can undo progress in shedding light on decades of childhood trauma. Violence is never the answer or the solution, it is always the tragedy. So I never want to forget that violence against children creates hundreds of horrifying, silent crime scenes hidden behind the glitz and glamour, rarely coming to light until the tragedy permeates all involved. I extend my sincere gratitude to all those who have reached out and supported me.”
