The Netflix series “Monsters: the story of Lyle and Erik Menéndez” has been a hit on the platform since its premiere on September 19, 2024, because of all the details and differences it has with real-life events.
The appearance of the leads, Nicholas Alexander Chavez (Lyle) and Cooper Koch (Erik), has fans wondering how old the Menéndez brothers were when their parents were murdered and if there is a big difference between the ages of the actors and real life. people.
How old were Lyle and Eric Menendez when their parents were murdered? Netflix series details
Lyle Menendez was born on January 10, 1968 and his younger brother Erik Menendez was born on November 27, 1970. Both murdered their parents with shotguns on August 20, 1989, as for his age at the time, Lyle Menendez was 21 years old. and 18-year-old Erik Menéndez.
The Netflix series featured them as teenagers, but with much older actors. As for the ages of the actors who played the Menéndez brothers, we know that filming took place between December 2023 and February 2024.
When Nicholas Alexander Chavez played Lyle Menéndez he was 24 years old (born September 6, 1999) and Cooper Koch was 27 years old when he played Erik Menéndez (the actor was born July 16, 1996).
What did Lyle and Erik Menéndez study? The truth behind the Netflix series
The Netflix series “Monsters” shows a lot of what happened to the Menéndez brothers after their parents were murdered, but also touches a little on their life in the study.
As the Netflix series shows, in real life Lyle and Erik Menéndez were in their college years, and although it seemed like they would have a bright future already secured by their family fortune, they did not achieve the goals they aspired to.
Lyle Menéndez, who has been described as domineering and emotionally cold, was driven to match the amazing achievements of his father, José Menéndez, who had achieved success as an executive at RCA Records and CEO of Artisan Entertainment.
After graduating from high school, Lyle Menéndez went to Princeton University, but he couldn’t handle the academic pressure and was suspended after plagiarizing an essay.
On his part as a younger brother, Erik Menéndez was finishing high school and became interested in screenwriting, in addition to showing considerable talent in tennis. He was ranked No. 44 among the best under-18 players nationally and No. 7 in Southern California.
Jose Menendez’s father put tremendous pressure on Eric to succeed in sports and constantly belittled his achievements, which eventually destroyed his confidence, according to one of the young man’s coaches.
What did Lyle and Erik Menéndez do when their parents were killed?
Because they failed academically and did not achieve athletic success as their father wanted, Lyle and Eric Menendez lived off their family’s money before murdering their parents.
Despite a life of privilege, Lyle and Erik Menéndez were caught stealing $100,000 in cash and jewelry from their friends’ homes, for which they blamed their father for paying for the damages.
José Menéndez forced his son Lyle to work for the company he ran, LIVE, but because Lyle didn’t want to be around his father, he didn’t show up for work, so José fired him shortly after.
When José and Kitty moved into their Beverly Hills mansion in 1988, Lyle and Erik Menéndez were still causing trouble. Eric’s tennis career stalled and Lyle was readmitted to Princeton University, but he vandalized the school’s property and was placed on probation.
It was reported that after these incidents, José Menéndez threatened to disinherit Lyle and Erik Menéndez if they did not change their behavior, but he did not as he died along with his wife Kitty on August 20, 1989.
Where are Lyle and Eric now? How many years in prison did they give the Menendez brothers?
Lyle and Eric Menendez are currently serving life sentences at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego County, California, for the murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez.
The Menéndez brothers were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 1996, so they spent 28 years behind bars for their crime.
Did you already know everything that happened to Lyle and Erik Menéndez after they ended up with their parents in 1989?
Source: univision
Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.
