In August 1989, José, 45, and Kitty Menendez, 47, were shot to death in their Beverly Hills home. Their sons, Lyle, 18, and Erik, 21, would later confess to the killings—setting off one of the most polarizing murder trials in American history. What initially looked like a mob-style hit unraveled into a story of family control, extreme dysfunction, and disturbing allegations of long-term sexual abuse. The trials exposed the private life of a wealthy, image-driven family and forced the public to confront uncomfortable questions about trauma, masculinity, and male child sexual abuse.

Today's snack: Buc-ee's Ghost Pepper Salsa and Pecan Trio (thanks Alicia!)

Listen to all three parts today on Patreon: https://patreon.com/LoveMarryKill

Sources:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/722-N-Elm-Dr-Beverly-Hills-CA-90210/20519601_zpid/? Menendez home
Rand, Robert. (2024). The Menendez Murders: The Shocking Untold Story of the Menendez Family and the Killings that Stunned the Nation. (Kindle Edition). BenBella Books.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siC_dsDXgKI Oziel’s tape
https://crimetimelines.com/wp-content/uploads/Letter-from-Erik-Menendez-to-Andy-Cano.pdf
https://crimetimelines.com/wp-content/uploads/2018-04-10-Letter-from-Marta-Cano.pdf
https://abcnews.go.com/US/menendez-brothers-burst-tears-emotional-prison-reunion-decades/story?id=54281350 Barbara Walters interview
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/menendez-brothers-lyle-erik-abuse-claims-supported-by-newly-discovered-evidence-48-hours/
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https://www.biography.com/movies-tv/a62368160/how-accurate-is-monsters-menendez
Davis, WG. (2025). Bloodstained Privilege: The Menendez Brothers. (Kindle Edition). Diamondback Publishers International.
https://abc3340.com/news/nation-world/menendez-brothers-lyle-erik-jose-kitty-double-murder-murders-killings-homicide-sexual-abuse-allegations-predator-evidence-letter-trial-convicted-true-crime-beverly-hills-home-los-angeles-california
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1995/08/23/the-return-of-the-brothers-grim/6d9fe6c7-2676-4bdf-a60d-2f48ff7361dc/
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https://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/12/10/court.archive.menendez2/index.html?_s=PM:US

The Menendez Family - Part 1 of 3