Current:Home > StocksErik Menendez slams Ryan Murphy, Netflix for 'dishonest portrayal' of his parent's murders -NextGenWealth
Erik Menendez slams Ryan Murphy, Netflix for 'dishonest portrayal' of his parent's murders
View
Date:2025-04-16 10:03:27
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! (2343)
Related
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Michigan lawmakers get final revenue estimates as they push to finalize the state budget
- Jason Aldean honors Toby Keith with moving performance at ACM Awards
- Body of missing Tampa mom, reportedly abducted alongside daughter, believed to be found
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- West Side Books and Curios: Denver’s choice spot for vintage titles
- Man accused of setting Denver house fire that killed 5 in Senegalese family set to enter plea
- Indy 500 qualifying at Indianapolis Motor Speedway: How it works, when to watch, entries
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- A brief history of Knicks' Game 7s at Madison Square Garden as they take on Pacers Sunday
Ranking
- Plunge Into These Olympic Artistic Swimmers’ Hair and Makeup Secrets
- Illinois high school seniors play 'all-time best' prank on principal, hire bagpipes player
- The Daily Money: Nordstrom and Patagonia make peace
- This week on Sunday Morning: By Design (May 19)
- Bodycam footage shows high
- How powerful windstorms caused deaths and extensive damage across Houston
- Did a topless photo posted online lead a California IVF doctor to kill his wife?
- Man accused of setting Denver house fire that killed 5 in Senegalese family set to enter plea
Recommendation
DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
Some older Frigidaire and Kenmore ranges pose risk of fires and burn injuries, Electrolux warns
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Restart
Even with school choice, some Black families find options lacking decades after Brown v. Board
How breaking emerged from battles in the burning Bronx to the Paris Olympics stage
Kelly Stafford, Wife of NFL's Matthew Stanford, Weighs in on Harrison Butker Controversy
Last student who helped integrate the University of North Carolina’s undergraduate body has died
UFL schedule for Week 8 games: Odds, times, how to stream and watch on TV