Lyle and Erik Menendez
On August 20, 1989, when brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez, then 21 and 18 years of age, respectively, murdered their parents Jose, 45, and Mary “Kitty” Menendez, 47, in the den of their $4 million Beverly Hills home. Their father was shot five times with a 12-gauge shotgun, point-blank in the back of the head. Their mother was shot in the face, chest, arm and leg, receiving a total of 10 bullets. She was unrecognizable.
They were later shot in the kneecaps: a signature shooting committed by gang members and organized criminals, referred to as kneecapping, to paralyze the victim.
Lyle and Erik initially denied any wrong doing. Erik later confessed to a therapist. Both brothers contend they endured sexual, physical and mental abuse at the hands of their father. Lyle feared for his life when he confronted his dad about the “family secret.” The brothers will spend the remainder of their lives in prison.
