The Menendez brothers, once brutally mistreated in prison and later forgotten by the public, have been thrust back into the spotlight—thanks to Netflix and Ryan Murphy’s latest crime series. Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story has not only reignited public fascination with their case but has also drastically changed their status behind bars.
A source within the California Department of Corrections has revealed that Erik and Lyle Menendez have once again become high-profile inmates following the release of the Netflix series. Their case, which had faded from mainstream attention over the years, has been brought back to life, generating buzz both inside and outside of prison.
Inmates at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, where the brothers are now housed together, have reportedly been discussing the case extensively.
At one point, many inside believed the brothers would be released, especially while former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón was in charge. However, the election of new DA Nathan Hochman has dampened those hopes—at least for now.
The situation today is a dramatic shift from the brothers' earlier years behind bars. In the beginning, they were held in separate prisons for decades.
During that time, Erik endured frequent beatings from other inmates and was left unable to defend himself. He recently revealed on the 2 Angry Men podcast that he never fought back, despite the abuse.
Lyle also suffered violence during his time in prison. Erik vividly remembers receiving the news that someone had broken Lyle’s jaw, but being in separate facilities meant he had no way to see or support his brother. Now, however, things have changed.
The brothers are together, and according to reports, "no violence has befallen them" since they were reunited in the same facility.
The Netflix series has reignited discussions about their case, prompting a wave of public sympathy. Attorney-in-training and criminal justice reform advocate Kim Kardashian even visited the Menendez brothers in prison, declaring that they "are not monsters."
She described them as “kind, intelligent, and honest men” and argued that their life sentences should be reconsidered.
Her advocacy, combined with renewed media attention, has fueled hope for their potential release. Their resentencing hearing is scheduled for next month, a moment that could drastically alter their fate.
However, not everyone inside the prison is thrilled with the Menendez brothers' newfound status. With their rising profile, access to commissary money, and even a shot at release, jealousy among inmates has become an issue.
According to sources, some prisoners regularly talk trash about them, creating tension within the facility.
But unlike before, the brothers now have each other for support. Lyle even maintains a relationship with his girlfriend, Milly Bucksey, whom he speaks to almost daily via video chat—something he never had access to in the early years of his incarceration.
With public support growing and their case gaining renewed scrutiny, the Menendez brothers are facing a drastically different reality than when they were first convicted.
Whether or not their life sentences will be reduced remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—Netflix has transformed them from forgotten inmates into headline-making figures once again.
