Current:Home > ContactErik Menendez slams Ryan Murphy, Netflix for 'dishonest portrayal' of his parent's murders -Thrive Capital Insights
Erik Menendez slams Ryan Murphy, Netflix for 'dishonest portrayal' of his parent's murders
View
Date:2025-04-16 18:22:47
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! (11778)
Related
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- Methodist Church approves split of 261 Georgia congregations after LGBTQ+ divide
- This is how far behind the world is on controlling planet-warming pollution
- Jordan Travis' injury sinks Florida State's season, creates College Football Playoff chaos
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Calling all elves: Operation Santa seeking helpers to open hearts, adopt North Pole letters
- 5 common family challenges around the holidays and how to navigate them, according to therapists
- Man fatally shot by New Hampshire police following disturbance and shelter-in-place order
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- Does Black Friday or Cyber Monday have better deals? How to save the most in 2023.
Ranking
- Charges: D'Vontaye Mitchell died after being held down for about 9 minutes
- Severe storms delay search for 12 crew missing after Turkish cargo ship sinks in Black Sea
- Here are the Books We Love: 380+ great 2023 reads recommended by NPR
- A$AP Rocky will soon learn if he’s going to trial for charges of shooting at former friend
- Sonya Massey's family keeps eyes on 'full justice' one month after shooting
- Senegal opposition party sponsoring new candidate Faye after court blocks jailed leader Sonko’s bid
- Honda recalls nearly 250,000 cars, SUVs and pickup trucks
- Hong Kong’s Disneyland opens 1st Frozen-themed attraction, part of a $60B global expansion
Recommendation
Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
Mixed results for SpaceX's Super Heavy-Starship rocket on 2nd test flight
Aaron Nola returns to Phillies on 7-year deal, AP source says
How to avoid talking politics at Thanksgiving? Consider a 'NO MAGA ALLOWED' sign.
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
When landlords won't fix asthma triggers like mold, doctors call in the lawyers
Coping with Parkinson's on steroids, Virginia Rep. Jennifer Wexton navigates exhausting and gridlocked Congress
College football Week 12 grades: Auburn shells out big-time bucks to get its butt kicked