Erik Menendez, on the left, and his brother Lyle, standing in front of their Beverly Hills residence. They are considered key suspects in the murder of their parents.
An audio recording from Erik Menendez’s parole hearing was acquired by Eyewitness News and ABC News on Friday. This occurred one day after Erik was turned down for bail on Thursday, August 21, 2025. The release of the audio clip caused further turmoil among family members, as reported by The New York Post.
Caution: The article includes mentions of disturbing content such as sexual assault. Please consider your comfort level before reading.
The recording reportedly included details about the murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez. This came to light as Lyle Menendez’s parole hearing was nearing its conclusion. According to reports from The Post, there was turmoil in the courtroom. Tiffani Lucero Pastor, a relative of the brothers, spoke to the parole board,
This is revolting. You have deceived the family, and to make things worse, you have breached this family’s rights.
Erik was not granted parole for another three years following a 10-hour hearing that took place on Thursday. In the widely discussed audio recording, Erik described what happened on the night his parents were murdered. He also shared more about the alleged abuse he endured from his parents. He could be heard stating,
An overwhelming fear was pushing me toward that den, along with anger. The thought of my father coming to my room. My father was going to come to my room and assault me that night, and there was no escaping it…
In the released audio recording, Erik added that he obtained a firearm and proceeded to the vehicle to load it. He also mentioned that he then went to the “den” before his brother Lyle.
Erik Menendez was subsequently questioned about the motive behind their mother’s murder. In response, Erik stated that Kitty’s support for Jose made the brothers feel as if they were “one person.” Erik Menendez further commented:
She was his [father’s] victim, I should have realized that, I should have kept it separate in my thoughts. But that night, I saw them as a single individual.
Erik shared insights about his childhood, explaining that he was never taught to act properly when he could tell the difference between right and wrong. He mentioned that he was raised “to lie, to cheat, to steal, in a way.”
Lyle Menendez was also denied parole, the reason being that he still presents a danger to society.
In the end, Lyle, much like Erik Menendez, was also turned down for parole. For those who may not be familiar, the brothers were found guilty in 1989 for murdering their parents in their Beverly Hills home.
As per the parole board, they felt that Lyle still showed certain signs suggesting he could be a danger to the public. According to the BBC, the older brother, Lyle, may be eligible to apply for parole again in three years.
Clarifying her choice to deny Lyle Menendez’s parole, parole commissioner Julie Garland informed him,
We recognize that your regret is sincere. However, despite those visible positive aspects, we observe… you still face challenges with anti-social personality traits such as lying, downplaying issues, and breaking rules that exist beneath that favorable exterior.
Parole attorney Heidi Rummel, who is representing both brothers, reportedly indicated that a break was necessary during the nine-hour hearing involving Lyle. According to reports from The Los Angeles Times, Rummel stated that it seemed unjust to keep the hearing going after the audio clip was made public. During the proceeding, Rummel was heard saying,
I don’t believe you could truly grasp the feelings this family is going through. They have invested a lot of effort in safeguarding their privacy and respect.
In the meantime, Parole Commissioner Robert Barton stated that the younger brother, Erik Menendez, did not meet the criteria for parole for various reasons. As per Barton, Erik was implicated in several infractions, including having a mobile phone and engaging in altercations with fellow inmates during the years 1997 and 2011.
Heidi Rummel expressed disapproval of the decision to make the audio clip and transcript available.
As per reports from The New York Post, Parole attorney Heidi Rummel opposed the release of an audio recording from Erik Menendez’s parole hearing. Rummel pointed out that the brothers had been striving to maintain their dignity and privacy for a significant period.
In the meantime, Parole Commissioner Julie Garland mentioned that releasing the parole hearing could be accomplished under the California Public Records Act. Garland further explained that the transcript might be made available to the public approximately 30 days following the decision’s issuance. Regarding this, Rummel added,
It is quite rare. It represents another effort to turn this into a public display.
Rummel also criticized the media’s access to the hearing and asserted that at one point, media access resulted in a leak. In the meantime, a spokesperson from the corrections department explained that the audio clip was released “by mistake.” Rummel ultimately mentioned that she intends to keep the hearing transcripts confidential under Marsy’s Law.
The most recent decisions on parole have resulted in the Menendez brothers remaining in prison for an additional period.
