The Menendez brothers, Erik and Lyle, are infamous for the brutal murder of their parents in 1989, but there’s often confusion about one particular aspect of their family background. To be honest, there should not be anything confusing, because it’s quite straightforward and obvious, and yet, people have not stopped speculating if the brothers were adopted.
We’re not sure if it’s the family dynamics, media portrayals, absence of other siblings, or just psychological perspectives, but the internet can’t stop wondering if the Menendez brothers were genuinely the biological kids of the parents they killed. On Google, you’ll even find one hilarious and a bit ridiculous query that asks, “How old were the Menendez brothers when they were adopted?” First of all, are you sure they were?
Were the Menendez Brothers, Erik and Lyle, Adopted by Their Parents?
You already know the answer by now. No, Erik and Lyle Menendez were not adopted; they were born to José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, a wealthy couple from Beverly Hills. The family appeared to have everything one could have wished for—a fancy house, an insane amount of money, and pretty much everything that screams success.
But all was not as it seemed. Underneath the surface, the brothers claimed they were the victims of years of serious abuse at the hands of their father, who was a powerful executive in the entertainment industry.
The Menendez family’s story is not something you see every day. The whole thing is as complicated as it gets, and we’re not sure precisely what happened in that household even after three decades. Even though the Menendez brothers weren’t adopted, growing up in such a lavish home was anything but normal for them, and for all the wrong reasons. The abuse allegations, despite being unproven in court, revealed a dark side of the family that painted a completely different picture from the one that was perceived by the public.
Meanwhile, where exactly did the rumors of adoption come from? If we’re to make an educated guess, it probably comes from speculations about the nature of their family ties. Since the children’s experiences and actions don’t match the typical expectations of an affluent family, some people are seemingly not convinced that Erik and Lyle are biological kids. There’s also a twist in the Netflix show, ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,’ where the brothers are hinted at being in romantic love, which might have brought about adoption rumors.
On top of that, some viewers tend to look at Erik and Lyle’s heinous crimes through the lens of psychological trauma, leading to questions about where the Menendez brothers came from and whether things like adoption could explain what they did.
Erik Menendez Calls Out Netflix: The Truth Behind the Lies in ‘Monsters’
Erik Menendez appears to have had enough of Netflix misinforming the public about their story, and he’s not holding back! He recently took a shot at the streaming giants and filmmaker Ryan Murphy over their new series, ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,’ and it couldn’t be more evident that he’s not fond of the way they’ve portrayed him and his brother, Lyle.
In a fiery statement shared by his wife, Tammi Menendez, Erik called the series a “caricature” filled with “outrageous lies.” He’s frustrated that they’re spinning a narrative that he believes is not only inaccurate but also harmful. It’s high time they shed light on their painful history, but instead, they’ve taken the entire narrative backward, ignoring the progress made in understanding male victims of abuse.
Erik feels these absurd, outdated depictions of their characters (especially when the reality is something else entirely) do a disservice to the truth. He wants everyone to understand that their tragedy deserves honesty, and a sincere portrayal, rather than being twisted and sensationalized for entertainment and drama. “Why isn’t the truth enough?” he asks, clearly hoping their awful real-life experiences received more respect.
The Menendez brothers’ trial back in the ’90s was a complete media frenzy. It was such a huge deal that the whole thing turned into a national sensation, inviting curiosity from just about everyone. During the trial, the brothers defended their actions, claiming their parents horrifically abused them.
Now, as they serve life sentences, Erik’s outspoken criticism is being praised by social media for calling out the awful way true-crime stories are depicted on TV. We must not forget that behind the headlines and dramatizations, real lives are filled with pain and struggle, as evident in the tragic story of the Menendez brothers.
This whole situation raises some important questions about storytelling in Hollywood. Are creators prioritizing drama over the truth? Well, you already know the answer, but it does not mean we should not hold them accountable when they clearly cross the line.
