Current:Home > MarketsErik Menendez slams Ryan Murphy, Netflix for 'dishonest portrayal' of his parent's murders -ApexWealth
Erik Menendez slams Ryan Murphy, Netflix for 'dishonest portrayal' of his parent's murders
View
Date:2025-04-13 18:39:51
Erik Menendez is slamming Netflix and a Hollywood producer for a new series based off of his life.
Menendez, one-half of the Menendez brothers who were convicted of killing their parents at their Beverly Hills, California home in 1989 alongside brother Lyle Menendez, spoke out about the series. In a statement shared by his wife, Tammie Menendez called out "a caricature of Lyle rooted in horrible and blatant lies" on social media Thursday night.
“I can only believe they were done so on purpose," he said in the statement. "It is with a heavy heart that I say, I believe Ryan Murphy cannot be this naive and inaccurate about the facts of our lives so as to do this without bad intent."
He continued: "It is sad for me to know that Netflix’s dishonest portrayal of the tragedies surrounding our crime have taken the painful truths several steps backward — back through time to an era when the prosecution built a narrative on a belief system that males were not sexually abused, and that males experienced rape trauma differently than women."
Menendez added in his statement that “those awful lies have been disrupted and exposed by countless brave victims over the last two decades who have broken through their personal shame and bravely spoken out" and "mow Murphy shapes his horrible narrative through vile and appalling character portrayals of Lyle and of me and disheartening slander." He later asked "is the truth not enough?" and thanked people for their support.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
The brothers' trial captured the attention of the U.S. at the time. The brothers, who argued that the killing of José and Mary Louise "Kitty" Menendez, was a result of years-long abuse, were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
The second installment of Netflix's "Monster" true-crime anthology series was released on Thursday and follows the success of last year's similarly controversial "Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story," which ignited backlash from some of Dahmer's victims' families.
Release date, cast, where to watch:'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story'
What happened in the Menendez family murders?
The Menendez brothers' murders sparked controversy and curiosity about the nature of their crimes.
August marks three decades, 35 years to be exact, since the killings. The brothers were convicted of taking the lives of their affluent parents with shotguns at the family's Beverly Hills mansion. Lyle Menendez, then 21, and his brother Erik Menendez, then 18, fired at Jose and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez several times, including at point-blank range to the head.
At the time, Lyle and Erik claimed their father, a former executive at RCA Records, abused them physically, sexually, and emotionally during their childhood. In "Monsters", Nicholas Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch portray Lyle and Erik Menendez, respectively.
Oscar-winner Javier Bardem plays José Menendez in the Murphy series, while Oscar nominee Chloë Sevigny stars as Kitty.
Contributing: Erin Jensen
veryGood! (3)
Related
- Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
- Plunge Into These Olympic Artistic Swimmers’ Hair and Makeup Secrets
- Report: Lauri Markkanen signs 5-year, $238 million extension with Utah Jazz
- The Walz record: Abortion rights, free lunches for schoolkids, and disputes over a riot response
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- Illinois governor calls for resignation of sheriff whose deputy fatally shot Black woman in her home
- Boy who wandered away from his 5th birthday party found dead in canal, police say
- US Open player compensation rises to a record $65 million, with singles champs getting $3.6 million
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
- Residents in Alaska capital clean up swamped homes after an ice dam burst and unleashed a flood
Ranking
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Report: Lauri Markkanen signs 5-year, $238 million extension with Utah Jazz
- July ends 13-month streak of global heat records as El Nino ebbs, but experts warn against relief
- A Georgia governor’s latest work after politics: a children’s book on his cats ‘Veto’ and ‘Bill’
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- Harris and Walz are showing their support for organized labor with appearance at Detroit union hall
- How effective is the Hyundai, Kia anti-theft software? New study offers insights.
- $1 Frostys: Wendy's celebrates end of summer with sweet deal
Recommendation
Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
Carolinas bracing for second landfall from Tropical Storm Debby: Live updates
Residents in Alaska capital clean up swamped homes after an ice dam burst and unleashed a flood
9/11 hearings at Guantanamo Bay in upheaval after surprise order by US defense chief
Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
Nelly Arrested for Possession of Ecstasy
Plunge Into These Olympic Artistic Swimmers’ Hair and Makeup Secrets
Residents in Alaska capital clean up swamped homes after an ice dam burst and unleashed a flood