Crime House True Crime Stories
True Crime This Week: Deadly Revenge
Host: Vanessa Richardson
Date: August 17, 2025
Overview
In this episode of True Crime This Week, host Vanessa Richardson delves into two horrifying cases where revenge was the deadly motive. The crimes covered are the infamous Menendez brothers’ murder of their parents in 1989 and Derek Dearman’s 2016 axe massacre in Alabama. Both cases present the devastation wrought when grievances—or drug-fueled delusions—escalate to extreme violence in pursuit of closure or retaliation, but ultimately, “the blood they spilled in their brutal acts of violence didn't bring them any closure. It only led to more suffering.” (Vanessa Richardson, 01:44)
Case 1: The Menendez Brothers (1989)
Segment Begins: [00:55]
Case Summary
- On August 20, 1989, Lyle (21) and Eric (18) Menendez murdered their parents, Jose and Kitty, in their Beverly Hills mansion.
- The brothers claimed their motive was years of alleged abuse, while prosecution argued it was greed and fear of losing their inheritance.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Murder
- Lyle and Eric entered the home while their parents watched TV, firing shotguns at close range.
- Jose was killed instantly; Kitty tried to flee but was killed after a prolonged attack. The brothers left to reload before finishing the act—showing determination and calculation ([02:33]).
Family & Upbringing
- Jose Menendez:
- Cuban immigrant, rose from nothing to business executive.
- Fiercely ambitious; emotionally and verbally abusive at work and home.
- Famous family motto: "Lie, cheat, steal, but win." ([08:48])
- Lyle & Eric Menendez:
- Grew up under strict, emotionally barren, and controlling parenting.
- Suffered psychosomatic symptoms: stuttering, stomach pains, anxiety.
- Early signs of entitlement and trouble with authority.
- Committed burglaries together, which led to the family being outcasts ([11:58]).
Memorable Quote:
"Jose controlled who they saw, what they ate and what they did with nearly every minute of their day... There was also the family motto. Lie, cheat, steal, but win."
— Vanessa Richardson, [08:40]
Motive & Planning
- After their parents threatened to cut them out of the will, the brothers formulated a plot to secure their inheritance.
- Influenced by stories of wealthy individuals killing for money (“Billionaire Boys Club” obsession, Eric wrote a screenplay about killing wealthy parents for money) ([13:13]).
The Killing and Investigation
- The brothers staged their return home and provided a Mafia-hit cover story, which police initially believed ([14:30]).
- In the months following, their lavish spending drew suspicion.
- Eric confessed to his therapist, Dr. Ozil, after intense police questioning. Lyle threatened Ozil, compromising confidentiality and allowing police to obtain incriminating tapes ([18:25]).
Trials and Aftermath
- Initial trial (1994): Hung jury, unable to decide between seeing the brothers as “murderers or abuse victims fighting back” ([23:40]).
- Retrial (1995): Prosecution reframed the case with more evidence of greed, leading to both brothers’ conviction and life sentences ([24:15]).
- 2018: The brothers were reunited in prison after decades apart; in 2025, their sentences were made parole-eligible, reigniting debate on their motives ([24:45]-[25:15]).
Notable Quote:
"We may never know the truth, but one thing is clear — in the Menendez brothers' quest for revenge, nobody got what they wanted."
— Vanessa Richardson, [25:13]
Case 2: Derek Dearman Axe Murders (2016)
Segment Begins: [26:06]
Case Summary
- On August 20, 2016, Derek Dearman murdered five people (plus an unborn child) in Citronelle, Alabama, in a drug-fueled, vengeful rampage targeting those he believed kept his girlfriend, Lynetta Lester, from him.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Background & Motive
- Derek Dearman: Violent, volatile, and long history of abusive relationships and methamphetamine use.
- Lynetta Lester: Victim of Dearman’s abuse for a decade; attempted to finally leave with help from her brother Joseph Turner ([27:06]).
- Dearman saw everyone close to Lynetta as conspiring against him, fueling his obsession and rage.
Memorable Quote:
"Derek could be incredibly loving, he also had a long history of anger management issues. He'd go from being totally calm to completely furious in the blink of an eye..."
— Vanessa Richardson, [27:40]
The Night of the Murders
- Dearman repeatedly tried to see Lynetta at Joseph’s house, was refused multiple times, and the police were called ([29:30]-[30:20]).
- At around 3 a.m., after an evening of meth use and mounting rage, Dearman found an axe and broke into the house.
- He murdered Robert Brown, Joseph and Shannon Turner, Justin and Chelsea Reed (the latter pregnant), and shot several victims after attacking with the axe. Lynetta and a 3-month-old baby survived ([35:00]).
Notable Moment:
“At last, Derek had what he wanted. Lynetta was with him, and there was nobody left who could take her away. But the night wasn't over yet.”
— Vanessa Richardson, [37:22]
Kidnapping and Escape
- Forced Lynetta and the baby to flee with him, driving to Mississippi.
- At his father’s place, Lynetta seized her chance to escape, stealing the car and returning to police ([38:40]-[39:30]).
- Derek confessed to his father, who made him turn himself in.
Investigation, Trial, and Execution
- Derek pled guilty, openly admitting guilt: “Drugs are not an excuse… I killed several innocent people.” ([41:40])
- Expressed remorse in court, apologized to the victims’ families.
- Found guilty on six counts of capital murder and sentenced to death ([43:35]).
- Executed by lethal injection in October 2024. Lynetta survived but haunted by trauma ([44:00]).
Notable Quote:
"Even though she knew Derek was bad news, it was hard for Lynetta to stay away from him. Part of that was because Derek, like most abusers, was emotionally manipulative. He could be sweet sometimes, and he always did just enough to give Lynetta hope that he'd actually changed."
— Vanessa Richardson, [28:45]
Reflections & Themes
Final Segment: [45:00+]
- Both crimes exemplify “the dangers of misguided revenge”—one case rationalized by abuse allegations, the other by paranoia and drug-induced rage.
- Attempts at vigilante justice led to “more devastation… scars were left that will never heal, and because of that, true justice can never be served.”
— Vanessa Richardson, [45:28]
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
-
“They were willing to do anything to get revenge. But the blood they spilled in their brutal acts of violence didn't bring them any closure. It only led to more suffering.”
— Vanessa Richardson, [01:44] -
"Jose controlled who they saw, what they ate and what they did with nearly every minute of their day... There was also the family motto. Lie, cheat, steal, but win."
— Vanessa Richardson, [08:40] -
“We may never know the truth, but one thing is clear — in the Menendez brothers' quest for revenge, nobody got what they wanted.”
— Vanessa Richardson, [25:13] -
"Derek could be incredibly loving, he also had a long history of anger management issues. He'd go from being totally calm to completely furious in the blink of an eye..."
— Vanessa Richardson, [27:40]
Segment Timestamps
- Introduction & Theme: [00:55]
- Case 1 Start (Menendez): [00:55]
- Family Background & Motives: [05:00-12:30]
- Murders & Aftermath: [13:01-25:15]
- Case 2 Start (Dearman): [26:06]
- Murders & Escape: [35:00-43:35]
- Reflections: [45:00+]
Tone & Style
The episode maintains a calm, analytical, and empathetic tone. Vanessa provides context through detailed narrative, direct quotes, and reflective analysis, acknowledging ambiguity in motivations, and the tragedy of all involved.
Conclusion
This episode of True Crime This Week offers an in-depth look at two acts of deadly revenge—one calculated, one chaotic. By weaving narrative details, court testimony, and post-crime reflection, it underscores the ripple effects of violence and the futility of seeking closure through vengeance. The cases remain riveting for their psychological complexity and lasting questions about motive, justice, and the cost of revenge.