Erik Menendez’s daughter slams celebrities for staying silent during parole hearings
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Menendez brothers’ family call out celebrities, Cooper Koch aside, who stayed silent during parole hearings
Erik and Lyle Menendez were sentenced to life in prison in 1996 for the murder of their parents. In May, a judge reduced their sentence to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole. On Thursday, Erik’s parole hearing was denied. His daughter, Talia, slammed the parole board’s decision, as well as the celebrities she says have remained ‘quiet’ in support of her father. Kim Kardashian has previously supported the brothers’ release, but has yet to publicly say anything about Erik’s parole hearing. Lyle is expected to appear by video before the board on Friday, and could be released as early as six months after his parole hearing, if approved by the board. He and Erik shot and killed their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills, California, mansion in 1989. The brothers acted in self-defense after their father, Jose, was allegedly sexually abused by their father while they were in the process of filing a $1.5 million lawsuit against him.
Erik Menendez’s adopted daughter, Talia, is blasting the celebrities who supported her father but have remained quiet after his parole was denied.
Erik, 54 — who, along with his older brother Lyle, 57, was sentenced in 1996 to life imprisonment for the 1989 slaying of their parents — has been fighting for his freedom since he became eligible for parole in May, when a Los Angeles judge reduced their original sentence to 50 years to life. The resentencing made them immediately eligible for parole under California law because they were under 26 when they committed their crimes.
It was decided that the brothers would be evaluated individually, with Erik’s Thursday hearing ending in rejection. Lyle is expected to appear by video before the board on Friday.
The parole commissioners cited Erik’s behavior in prison as the main reason for the parole denial.
After the board’s ruling, his adult daughter, Talia, whom he adopted through his 1999 marriage to wife Tammi, lashed out at the decision.
open image in gallery Cooper Koch (right) starred as convicted murderer Erik Menendez (left) in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology ( Getty )
“HOW IS MY DAD A THREAT TO SOCIETY,” she wrote in an Instagram Story. “A 3 YEAR DENIAL??? ALL HELL IS ABOUT TO BREAK LOOSE.”
In a subsequent Instagram Story, Talia pointedly asked: “Where are the celebrities that were ‘advocating’ for [the brothers’]. It’s been WAY TOO QUIET.
“The only one that I can say has been checking in on my family is Cooper [Koch],” she revealed. “And we absolutely adore him.”
She continued: “To the ones that went to the prison without any background checks to film their shows but are staying quiet now, you despise me beyond measure [sic].
“Just say your views are down and keep it PUSHING,” Talia concluded.
open image in gallery Erik Menendez’s daughter, Talia, slammed both the parole board’s decision to deny her father parole, as well as the celebrities she says have remained ‘quiet’ ( seterikmenendezfree/Instagram )
Koch, 29, starred as Erik in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology’s season two, The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.
The actor has since been an outspoken advocate for Erik and Lyle’s release from prison. After the brothers’ May resentencing, he reacted joyously to the “promising” news.
“I am so happy. I really love that judge. That judge is an amazing judge, and I’m so grateful that that happened,” Koch told Variety. “And so is Erik. I spoke to him yesterday, and he is so excited.”
Kim Kardashian has been another high-profile celebrity who has previously supported the brothers’ release. In September 2024, following the premiere of Murphy’s controversial adaptation, the reality TV star visited the brothers in prison. At the time, it was reported that she was joined by Koch, her sister Khloé, her mother Kris Jenner, and film producer Scott Budnick.
The next month, the Skims founder celebrated the brothers’ resentencing, writing on Instagram: “The Menendez brothers were granted a second chance at life and will wake up tomorrow finally eligible for a parole hearing. They could be released in as early as six months.
“Thank you, George Gascón, for revisiting the Menendez brothers’ case and righting a significant wrong. Your commitment to truth and fairness is commendable,” she added. “To the brothers’ family, friends, and the millions who have been vocal supporters – your voices were heard. The media’s foucs, especially on the heels of Ryan Murphy’s TV show, helped expose the abuse and injustices in their case.”
Kardashian has yet to say anything publicly about Erik’s denied parole.
At just 21 and 18, Lyle and Erik shot and killed their parents, Kitty and Jose Menendez, in their Beverly Hills mansion. Defense attorneys have argued the brothers acted in self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father, while prosecutors claimed they murdered their parents for a multimillion-dollar inheritance.
Erik will have the opportunity to come before the board again in three years.
Erik Menendez’s Daughter Calls Out Celebs After Parole Denial
The California Board of Parole Hearings denied Erik Menendez’s release during a hearing on Thursday, August 21. The brothers were arrested in 1990 on two counts of first-degree murder after their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, were found shot to death in Beverly Hills. The Menéndez brothers claimed self-defense and alleged they had been abused by their father as children. Erik and Lyle Menendez were resentenced to 50 years to life in prison in May, thus making them eligible for parole. The Emmy-nominated actor who played Erik in the Netflix true-crime drama Monsters: The Lyle and Erik menendez Story, Cooper Koch, has been among the few celebrities to remain in touch with the family amid the parole hearings, Talia Menendez told CNN on Thursday. She called out celebrities whom she said had previously advocated for the release of Erik, 54, and his brother, Lyle, 57, but haven’t yet weighed in.
The California Board of Parole Hearings denied Erik’s release during a hearing on Thursday, August 21, citing various prison infractions during his 35 years of incarceration.
Talia, Erik’s adopted daughter through his 1999 marriage to wife Tammi, reacted to the news in several Instagram Stories. In one, she wrote, “How is my dad a threat to society! A 3-year denial??? Hell is about to break loose!!!”
In a subsequent Instagram Story, Talia called out celebrities whom she said had previously advocated for the release of Erik, 54, and his brother, Lyle, 57, but haven’t yet weighed in on Erik’s denial.
Related: Could Menendez Brothers Be Released From Prison? Appeal Process Explained Erik and Lyle Menendez‘s murder case was thrust back into the spotlight with Ryan Murphy‘s Monsters — but could they walk free after years behind bars? The Menéndez brothers’ parents, José and Kitty Menéndez, were found dead at their Beverly Hills home in 1989. After Lyle called the police, they discovered José was shot six […]
“Where are the celebrities that were ‘advocating’ for them???? It’s been WAY TOO QUIET,” Talia wrote.
According to Talia, actor Cooper Koch, who played Erik in the Netflix true-crime drama Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, has been among the few celebrities to remain in touch with the family amid Erik and Lyle’s parole hearings. (Lyle will have his on Friday, August 22.)
“The only one that I can say has been checking in on my family is Cooper and we absolutely adore him,” she wrote. “To the ones that went to the prison without any background checks to film their show but are staying quiet now.”
“You despise [sic] me beyond measure Just say your views are down and keep it PUSHING,” Talia added.
Koch, 29, has been vocal about his support for the Menendez brothers, who were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 1996 for the 1989 murders of their parents, José and Kitty Menendez. At trial, the pair claimed self-defense and alleged they had been abused by their father as children.
In September 2024, Koch and Kim Kardashian visited the Menendez brothers in prison, and Koch has since formed a close bond with Erik.
After the brothers were resentenced to 50 years to life in prison in May, thus making them eligible for parole, Koch said, “I’m so grateful that that happened.”
“And so is Erik, I spoke to him yesterday and he is so excited,” he added to Variety at the time.
Related: Inside the Menendez Brothers‘ Lives in Prison: Restrictions, No Conjugal Visits Getty Images (2) Erik Menéndez and Lyle Menéndez attempted to be released on parole in their murder case — but what do their lives currently look like in prison? The brothers were arrested in 1990 on two counts of first-degree murder after their parents — José and Kitty — were found shot to death in […]
The Emmy-nominated actor said Erik planned to advocate for other prisoners seeking parole should he be released from prison.
“He is going to be an advocate for other people who have L.W.O.P, which is life without parole,” Koch said. “His life is going to surround making change in the prison system, and I just think that is so beautiful.”
A parole board, however, denied Erik’s release from prison on Thursday. Lead parole commissioner Robert Barton said that Erik had “not been a model prisoner,” citing various prison infractions including inappropriate behavior with visitors, drug smuggling and misuse of state computers, NewsNation reported.
Erik Menendez’s Daughter Slams Parole Board’s Decision After Hearing
The California Board of Parole Hearings denied Erik Menéndez’s release on Thursday. Erik and his brother, Lyle, were arrested in 1990 on two counts of first-degree murder after their parents, José and Kitty, were found shot to death in their home. The Menendez brothers were found guilty and sentenced to life without parole in 1996 after two high-profile trials in California. The brothers were resentenced to 50 years to life, which made them eligible for parole under California’s youthful offender law since they committed their crime under the age of 26. The siblings became persons of interest after their. parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, were. found shot in their. home in August 1989, and Erik and Lyle became the prime suspects. They ultimately admitted to killing their parents following years of alleged physical and sexual abuse, and were sentenced to a life sentence without the possibility of parole. The case has played out in the public for over three decades.
“A piece of my letter that the commissioner named Robert Barton probably didn’t even read,” Erik’s adopted daughter, Talia, whom he shares with wife Tammi Menendez, wrote via Instagram on Thursday, August 21. “I poured my heart and soul into this letter all for it to go in the hands of someone who already had their mind made up.”
Talia offered an excerpt of the letter she wrote for his hearing.
“This letter is deeply personal. I’m writing as a daughter who has spent her entire life longing for something most people take for granted; a real, daily relationship with her dad,” she wrote. “I hope you’ll pause with this one and hear the voice of a little girl who has been visiting her dad behind prison walls and has been waiting for him to come home from the age of 2 to now almost 30 years old.”
Related: Erik Menendez, Wife Tammi‘s Relationship Timeline: From Pen Pals to Marriage Erik Menéndez‘s prison life sentence didn’t stop him from finding love with wife Tammi Menéndez. Erik and his brother, Lyle Menéndez, were arrested in 1990 on two counts of first-degree murder after their parents — José and Kitty — were found shot to death in their home in August 1989. Two trials resulted in Erik […]
She continued: “Although he isn’t my biological father, he took on being a stepdad by title, but in every way that truly matters, he has been the best father that anyone could wish for. My safe place, my teacher, and my greatest source of strength and kindness.”
In a separate social media post, Talia called out the lack of public support for Erik, 54, in recent months but thanked actor Cooper Koch, who portrayed her father in Netflix’s Monsters: The Erik and Lyle Menendez Story.
“Where are the celebrities that were ‘advocating’ for them???? It’s been WAY TOO QUIET,” Talia wrote. “The only one that I can say has been checking in on my family is Cooper and we absolutely adore him. To the ones that went to the prison without any background checks to film their show but are staying quiet now.”
The California Board of Parole Hearings denied Erik’s release on Thursday, citing various prison infractions during his 35 years of incarceration. Erik’s wife, Tammi, 62, broke her silence soon after.
“Parole Commissioner Robert Barton had his mind made up to deny Erik parole from the start! This was a complete setup, and Erik never stood a chance! 😡 #Injustice,” Tammi shared in an X post on Thursday, adding, “Erik hasn’t had any infractions since 2011, apart from a cell phone possession.”
Related: Timeline of Erik, Lyle Menendez‘s Murder Case: From Arrest to Resentencing Erik Menéndez and Lyle Menéndez‘s murder case has played out in the public for over three decades from two high-profile trials to a life sentence — and a renewed chance at freedom. After their parents, José and Kitty Menéndez, were found dead in 1989, Erik and Lyle became the prime suspects. The brothers were both […]
Erik and his brother, Lyle Menendez, have been serving out their sentences in California’s Donovan Correctional Facility after being arrested in 1990 on two counts of first-degree murder. The siblings became persons of interest after their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, were found shot in their home.
Erik and Lyle, 57, ultimately admitted to killing their parents following years of alleged physical, emotional and sexual abuse. The Menendez brothers were found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole in 1996 after two high-profile trials.
After a resurgence in their case, Erik and Lyle were resentenced to 50 years to life, which made them eligible for parole under California’s youthful offender law since they committed their crime under the age of 26. Lyle’s hearing is set for Friday, August 22.
Why was Erik Menendez denied parole? Reason explained as the California parole board denies release
Erik Menendez was denied release more than 36 years after he and his brother Lyle killed their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion. The California Board of Parole Hearings rejected Erik Menendez’s bid for release. They pointed to multiple disciplinary violations over his 35 years behind bars as the reason for the decision. Erik’s adopted daughter, Talia Menendez, has been attempting to bring everyone’s attention to her father, particularly with celebrity backing, after her father’s parole bid was rejected. According to the BBC report, the central attention may fall on California Governor Gavin Newsom, who is weighing a clemency petition filed on behalf of the Menendez brothers. The board stated that Erik cannot reapply for parole for another three years. Lyle is set to have his own parole review on Friday. The brothers remain in prison and will remain incarcerated for at least the next 30 years.
On August 21, 2025, the California Board of Parole Hearings rejected Erik Menendez’s bid for release. They pointed to multiple disciplinary violations over his 35 years behind bars as the reason for the decision, according to a Us Weekly report.
Reportedly, he has been denied parole after over 30 years since he and his brother, Lyle, were arrested for fatally shooting their parents in Beverly Hills in 1989, as per BBC.
Lyle is set to have his own parole review on Friday. The Menendez brothers, allowed for release after being sentenced again in May, remain incarcerated. The board stated that Erik cannot reapply for parole for another three years.
✨ Today was not an easy day. Erik’s parole was denied, but we remain steadfast in our hope and support for Lyle. 💙
Every step, every hearing, is part of a long journey toward justice and truth. 🙏🏼
We are not alone in this fight—unity and everyone’s voice make a difference. pic.twitter.com/OEchBWRSYP — Menendez Brothers Support (@johanzc_k) August 22, 2025
Everything we know about Erik Menendez’s parole getting denied
Board commissioner Robert Barton was present to hear the testimony during a 10-hour hearing with the panel. He concluded that Erik was not prepared to enter society, ultimately rejecting his request for parole.
According to the BBC report, he said to Menendez on Thursday,
“I believe in redemption, or I wouldn’t be doing this job. But based on the legal standards, we find that you continue to pose an unreasonable risk to public safety.”
The board highlighted his disciplinary record behind bars. They also cited his history of criminal behavior before the murders as another key factor in denying his release. Robert further noted,
“Contrary to your supporters’ beliefs, you have not been a model prisoner and frankly, we find that a little disturbing.”
The board commissioner also stated to Erik about having just two options, explaining,
“One is to have a pity party. Or you can take to heart what we discussed.”
Erik Menendez still has a chance to get released. According to the BBC report, the central attention may fall on California Governor Gavin Newsom. He is weighing a clemency petition filed on behalf of the Menendez brothers.
Recently, Erik Menendez’s adopted daughter, Talia Menendez, has been attempting to bring everyone’s attention to her father, particularly with celebrity backing, after her father’s parole bid was rejected, according to Us Weekly.
erik menendez’s daughter is on fire and rightfully so cause where are those celebs that profited off of the brothers when it was cool to do so? when monsters came out?
disgusting freaks!!!! pic.twitter.com/tRidCmlyXZ — gio 🤌 SOTR spoilers (@itchyhaybitchy) August 22, 2025
She expressed her views on her Instagram story and wrote,
“How is my dad a threat to society! A 3-year denial??? Hell is about to break loose!!!”
Asking for support, she further penned,
“Where are the celebrities that were ‘advocating’ for them???? It’s been WAY TOO QUIET.”
In another Instagram story, Talia noted that Cooper Koch is one of the few celebrities to stay connected with the family during her father and uncle’s parole proceedings, stating,
“”The only one that I can say has been checking in on my family is Cooper and we absolutely adore him. To the ones that went to the prison without any background checks to film their show but are staying quiet now.”
Erik Menendez adopted Talia Menendez when he got married to Tammi.