Early Life of Menendez Family

Menendez Family.

José Enrique Menendez was born on May 6, 1944, in Havana, Cuba. At age 16, he moved to the United States while his parents remained in Cuba until their properties were confiscated by the Castro regime. His father, once a soccer star, and his mother, a former champion swimmer, stayed behind until the political situation forced them to leave.

An accomplished athlete himself, José excelled in swimming, basketball, and soccer and earned a swimming scholarship to Southern Illinois University. It was there that he met Mary Louise “Kitty” Andersen, a fellow student born in 1941. In 1963, when José was just 19 years old, they married and moved to New York City.

In New York, José pursued an accounting degree at Queens College while working part-time as a dishwasher at the Club “21.” After graduating, he began his career at Hertz, managing car and commercial leasing for RCA, where he quickly rose through the ranks in the rental-car business. His career trajectory accelerated further when he founded his own video and music software distribution company, Live Entertainment Inc., and joined the board of Carolco Pictures, the producers of the Rambo films.

The couple’s first son, Joseph Lyle Menendez, known by his middle name, Lyle, was born on January 10, 1968, in New York. Kitty left her teaching job after his birth, and the family relocated to Princeton, New Jersey.

On November 27, 1970, their second son, Erik Galen Menendez, was born in Gloucester Township, New Jersey. The family settled in Hopewell Township, where both brothers attended Princeton Day School and excelled in sports like soccer and tennis.

In 1986, the Menendez family moved to Beverly Hills, California, after José was appointed CEO of Live Entertainment. They purchased a six-bedroom Mediterranean-style house on Elm Drive, featuring a red tile roof, courtyard, swimming pool, tennis court, and guesthouse.

While in California, Erik attended Beverly Hills High School, where he was an average student but showed exceptional talent in tennis, ranking 44th nationally as a junior. However, in 1988, Erik was arrested twice for burglary. He avoided jail time by attending court-ordered therapy.

Meanwhile, Lyle had enrolled at Princeton University but struggled academically. He was placed on academic probation due to poor grades and was eventually suspended for plagiarism. In 1989, Erik competed in the Boys’ Junior National Tennis Championship and reached the second round of qualifying in the Boys’ 18 singles division, showcasing his potential in the sport despite the family’s growing troubles.

Murder of Menendez Family

August 1989: Menendez Family.

On August 20, 1989, José and Kitty were shot and killed at home, in their Beverly Hills neighborhood.

When detectives arrived at the family home on North Elm Drive, they found doors to the home unlocked, with no signs of forcible entry. Jose Menendez was slumped on a couch in the family’s first-floor library. Kitty Menendez was on the floor nearby. The couple were dressed casually in shorts, and both apparently had been watching television. Fresh bowls of berries and cream were still on a coffee table.

Kitty tried to flee after her husband was shot and was struck multiple times. Another shotgun blast ripped into a library wall.

• Jose was shot six times with a shotgun.
• Kitty suffered 10 gunshot wounds.
• The killers then picked up the empty shell casings and left the house.
• Nothing of value was missing from the house, according to Lyle Menendez.

The crime was so brutal that police initially believed the slayings were a mob hit. Lyle called the police to report the murders nearly two hours after they had taken place. Early investigations focused on business rivals and a pornography executive who previously had problems with José.

Crime Scene

Warning Graphic Details: Select a resource by clicking each item below, or scroll down to explore the available sections.

Menendez Murder Timeline

This timeline highlights key events in the Menendez family’s history, offering insight into the events that led to the tragic conclusion of this once-prominent family.

1940s to 1980s: Family Background and Early Years

• May 6, 1944: José Enrique Menendez is born in Havana, Cuba.
• 1960: At age 16, José moves to the United States alone. His parents remain in Cuba until their properties are seized by the Castro regime.
• 1963: José marries Mary Louise “Kitty” Andersen after meeting her at Southern Illinois University.
• 1968: The couple’s first son, Joseph Lyle Menendez, known as Lyle, is born on January 10 in New York City.
• 1970: Their second son, Erik Galen Menendez, is born on November 27 in Gloucester Township, New Jersey.
• 1986: The family moves from Princeton, New Jersey, to Beverly Hills, California, after José is appointed CEO of Live Entertainment. They purchase a Mediterranean-style home on Elm Drive.

1980s: The Family in Beverly Hills

• 1987: Erik starts attending Beverly Hills High School, earning average grades but excelling in tennis, where he is ranked 44th in the U.S. as a junior.
• 1987: Princeton accepts Lyle’s second application. He was accepted more because of his background and tennis ability than his academic record.
• 1988: Erik is arrested twice for burglary but avoids jail time by participating in court-ordered therapy.
• 1989: Lyle, a student at Princeton University, is placed on academic probation due to poor grades and is eventually suspended for plagiarism.

1989: The Murders

• August 20, 1989: José and Kitty Menendez are murdered in their Beverly Hills home. Both sons, Lyle and Erik, claimed to have discovered the bodies after returning from a movie.

1989 to 1990: Investigation and Arrest

• 1989 to 1990: Lyle and Erik display unusual behavior following the murders, including extravagant spending.
• March 1990: Erik confesses to the murders during a session with his therapist, Dr. Jerome Oziel. The therapist’s mistress later tips off police.
• March 7, 1990: A magistrate issues a search warrant authorizing a search of Dr. Oziel’s offices and residence for specified items, including audiotape recordings containing information relating to the killings.
• March 8, 1990: Officers serve the search warrant. Dr. Oziel provides materials while claiming psychotherapist-patient privilege on behalf of the Menendez brothers.
• March 8, 1990: Lyle Menendez is arrested at the family’s mansion.
• March 11, 1990: Erik Menendez returns from Israel and surrenders to police.
• March 12, 1990: A felony complaint is filed against the Menendez brothers.
• March 19, 1990: Dr. Oziel files a motion effectively claiming psychotherapist-patient privilege as to the seized items.
• August 6, 1990: The superior court rejects the psychotherapist-patient privilege claim as to all three audiotape cassettes.

1993 to 1996: Trials and Convictions

• July 1993: The first trial begins. The defense argued that Lyle and Erik killed their parents out of fear after enduring years of abuse. The trial ended in a hung jury.
• October 1995: A second trial begins. Much of the abuse testimony is excluded, and the prosecution focuses on greed as the primary motive.
• March 20, 1996: Lyle and Erik Menendez are convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
• July 2, 1996: Both brothers are sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Post-Conviction

• 1996 to present: Lyle and Erik serve their sentences in California prisons and remain a subject of public interest.
• May 2024: The Menendez brothers ask the court to vacate their conviction, citing new evidence.
• 2024: District Attorney George Gascón announces that his office is reviewing new evidence, including a letter from one brother mentioning abuse and testimony from a former Menudo member who alleged Jose Menendez abused him when he was a minor.
• March 10, 2025, 10:00 AM: Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman announces his office will move forward on a resentencing motion for Erik and Lyle Menendez. Link

Menendez Case Records

Menendez Murder Timeline

Detailed Menendez family history and case timeline.

May 6, 1944

• José Enrique Menendez was born in Havana, Cuba. At age 16, he moved to the United States. His father, a onetime soccer star, and his mother, a former champion swimmer, stayed behind until their properties were seized by Castro.

1961

• Jose’s parents fled Cuba.

1962

• Jose was a freshman at Southern Illinois University, where he met Mary Louise “Kitty” Andersen, who was a senior. After a short time, Kitty and Jose became inseparable.

1957 to 1962: Kitty Andersen Background

• Mary Louise “Kitty” Andersen was born in 1941, the youngest of four children of Charles and Mae Andersen.
• In 1957, during her senior year of high school, Kitty applied to and was accepted by Southern Illinois University.
• In 1958, she began working in the university’s broadcasting department, learning to produce dramas for radio and television.
• In 1962, during her senior year, Kitty competed in beauty pageants and won the Miss Oak Lawn beauty pageant sponsored by the VFW.

1963

• At age 19, Jose and Kitty were married and moved to New York City, where José enrolled in an accounting program at Queens College while working part time as a dishwasher at the Club “21.”

1967

• Jose graduated from Queens College with a CPA degree and went to work for Coopers & Lybrand. Kitty continued to teach grade school.

January 10, 1968

• Joseph Lyle Menendez was born. Kitty quit her teaching job after Lyle was born.

1969

• Jose was sent to Chicago to audit Lyon Container, a client of Coopers & Lybrand. Lyon Container management later asked him to work for the company as controller.

1970

• Jose was named president of Lyon Container.
• November 27, 1970: Erik Galen Menendez was born in Gloucester Township.

1971

• Jose joined Hertz, where he was in charge of car and commercial leasing to RCA. The family moved from Illinois to the East Coast and settled in New Jersey.

1977

• Erik was admitted to the emergency room at Princeton Medical Center. The report noted injury to the posterior pharynx, uvula, and soft palate.

1980

• Jose set up a will stating that if Jose and Kitty died in a common disaster, Lyle and Erik would receive the entire estate.

1981

• Kitty uncovered one of Jose’s extramarital affairs and left Jose, but he convinced her to return home after several days.

1986

• Kitty learned about Jose’s affair with Louise and other affairs, sending Kitty into a depressive spiral.
• The family moved to Beverly Hills, California, after Jose was appointed CEO of Live Entertainment.

1987

• Erik attended Beverly Hills High School, where he earned average grades but displayed strong tennis talent, ranking 44th in the U.S. as a junior.
• Princeton accepted Lyle’s second application, based partly on background and tennis ability.

1988

• Erik was twice arrested for burglary and avoided jail time by attending court-ordered therapy.
• In July 1988, Erik and Lyle began breaking into homes in Calabasas. The estimated value of money and jewelry stolen was more than $100,000.
• Jose hired Gerald Chaleff to represent them. An agreement was worked out that would absolve Lyle if Erik took responsibility.
• Jose wrote a check for $11,000 to victims to cover stolen items that could not be returned.
• The burglaries became a topic of discussion in Calabasas. Jose later bought the Elm Drive house in Beverly Hills.

April 1988

• Two burglaries took place at the New Jersey office of the Sierra Club and the office of the Princeton Friends of Open Spaces.
• Office equipment valued at approximately $1,100 was stolen. The police later connected Lyle to the burglaries through a confidential informant, but he was not charged.

Fall 1988

• Lyle returned to Princeton and continued his relationship with Jaime Pisarcik. He objected to having a roommate and ultimately received a single room after Jose wrote a letter to Princeton.

1989

• Erik entered the Boys’ Junior National Tennis Championship and reached the second round of qualifying in Boys’ 18 singles.
• Kitty saw a therapist.
• July 19, 1989: Kitty told her therapist she feared her sons were sociopaths. The therapist’s notes indicated Kitty was concerned that her sons were narcissistic and lacked consciences.
• Lyle began dating a model named Christy, which upset Jose and Kitty. Jose also opposed Lyle’s desire to transfer to UCLA.
• Summer 1989: LIVE invested in a key-man life insurance policy valued at $15 million and purchased a policy for Jose’s family valued at $5 million.
• June 1989: Jose and Kitty purchased a red Alfa Romeo for Lyle as a graduation gift. Jose also purchased a condominium outside Princeton for Lyle.
• August 1989: Erik returned to Beverly Hills to begin college at UCLA.
• August 19, 1989: The Menendez family chartered a boat from Marina del Rey and went shark fishing. According to the crew, the family did not appear close during the outing.

August 20, 1989, 11:47 PM

• A 911 call was received at the Beverly Hills Police Department.
• Lyle Menendez told the dispatcher, “They shot and killed my parents.”
• Beverly Hills police officers Michael Butkus and John Czarnocki arrived at 722 Elm Drive.
• Officers heard screaming and saw two men run out of the front door, fall to their knees, and shout repeatedly.
• The younger man was described as irrational, while the older one tried to restrain and calm him.
• Officers found no signs of forcible entry.
• Jose Menendez was found slumped on a couch in the first-floor library and Kitty Menendez was found on the floor nearby.
• Jose was shot six times with a shotgun. Kitty suffered 10 gunshot wounds.
• The brothers were taken to the police department for questioning. Erik became distraught and sobbed. Lyle answered questions methodically.

August 20, 1989: Timeline Given by the Brothers

• They said they played tennis in the morning, watched part of a tennis match on television, and spent the afternoon shopping at the Beverly Center.
• 5:00 PM: They made plans to meet a friend at Taste of LA in Santa Monica.
• 8:00 PM: They said they left home to see License to Kill in Westwood Village, but the lines were too long, so they went to Century City mall to see Batman.
• After Batman, they drove to Santa Monica but got lost and missed their friend. From a pay phone, they called Perry Berman and planned to meet at the Cheesecake Factory in Beverly Hills.
• They said they returned home to get Erik’s fake ID so he could buy alcoholic drinks.
• They told police that when they returned home, they noticed smoke in the house, a statement investigators found odd because they had not seen smoke.

August 21, 1989, 5:30 AM

• The brothers returned to the crime scene and asked for their tennis rackets. They were not allowed inside because the coroner was examining the bodies.

August 23, 1989

• The brothers began their shopping spree, funded by Jose’s personal life insurance policy of $650,000.
• They spent $15,000 on Rolex watches and money clips.
• They spent money on new cars, designer clothes, and jewelry.
• The estate Jose and Kitty left was valued at $14 million, with each brother expected to inherit approximately $2 million after loans and taxes.

August 25, 1989

• Memorial services were held for Jose and Kitty at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles.

August 28, 1989

• A traditional church service was held at the university chapel in Princeton.

August 31, 1989

• The brothers called a computer expert to erase files on Kitty’s computer.
• Lyle and Erik met with executives at LIVE Entertainment to discuss any assets the brothers might receive from the company.
• They learned that the $5 million key-man life insurance policy was not valid because Jose had failed to take the required physical exam.
• LIVE Entertainment paid an $8,800 bill at the Bel Air Hotel, including $2,000 for room service for the brothers’ five-day stay.
• After living at various Beverly Hills hotels, the brothers rented adjoining apartments in Marina City Towers in Marina del Rey.

September 4, 1989

• Lyle told bodyguards he no longer needed their services because his uncle had contacted someone in the mob and arranged some type of deal.

October 1989

• Lyle had charged more than $90,000 to Jose’s American Express card.
• Lyle tried to establish Menendez Investment Enterprises and rented an office for $3,000 a month in a Princeton shopping mall.
• Lyle bought Chuck’s Spring Street Caffe in Princeton for $550,000, later changing the name to Mr. Buffalo’s.

October 24, 1989

• Les Zoeller interviewed Erik Menendez at the Beverly Hills mansion. Erik complained that Lyle was spending too much money and was being like their father.

October 31, 1989

• During a session with Dr. Oziel, there was discussion about a trip to San Diego to purchase shotguns and how the brothers believed they had committed the perfect crime.
• They said they cleaned up the shotgun casings, disposed of weapons on Mulholland Drive, dumped clothing and shell casings in a gas station dumpster, and returned home before calling police.

November 2, 1989

• The brothers met with Oziel again. Lyle allegedly threatened Oziel and said they had considered killing him to keep their secret. Oziel made notes and tape recordings of sessions with the brothers.

November 17, 1989

• Zoeller and Linehan interviewed Erik’s friend Craig Cignarelli.
• Cignarelli told detectives that shortly after the murders, Erik had described how the killings happened.
• According to Craig, Erik said Lyle shot Jose and later shot Kitty after she tried to get away. Erik allegedly said that after it looked like his mother was dead, he shot her twice.
• The district attorney’s office suggested Craig wear a body wire and meet with Erik.

October 29, 1989

• Craig met Erik for dinner at Gladstone’s 4 Fish in Pacific Palisades. Erik told Craig he had been lying and that he and Lyle had nothing to do with their parents’ murders.

March 5, 1990

• Detectives received a break in the case from Dr. Jerome Oziel’s girlfriend, Judalon Smyth.
• Smyth told detectives that Oziel had asked her to eavesdrop on a therapy session with the Menendez brothers on October 31, 1989.
• She said she overheard a shouting match in which Lyle shouted, “I can’t believe you told him!” and “We’ve got to kill him and anyone associated with him.”
• According to Smyth, Erik screamed back, “I can’t stop you from what you have to do, but I can’t kill any more.”

March 7, 1990

• Lyle and two friends flew from Newark, New Jersey to Los Angeles. During the flight, Lyle called Mr. Buffalo’s and learned detectives were looking for him.

March 8, 1990

• Detectives obtained a search warrant for Oziel’s tapes based on Judalon Smyth’s information.
• Dr. Oziel handed over 17 audiotapes and seven pages of notes.
• The same day, the board of directors of LIVE Entertainment met in Los Angeles and heard an investigative report.
• 1:00 PM: Lyle was arrested and booked at the station, then transported to the Los Angeles County Men’s Jail.
• 4:00 PM: Los Angeles County District Attorney Ira Reiner held a press conference and said the motive was greed.

March 11, 1990

• Erik was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport and booked into the Los Angeles County Men’s Jail.

March 14, 1990

• Detectives checked firearm records at the Big 5 store on Convoy Street and found the sale of two Mossberg twelve-gauge shotguns for $199.95 each on August 18, 1989. The form was signed by Donovan Jay Goodreau.

March 26, 1990

• The Menendez brothers were arraigned for the murders of their parents in Judge Judith Stein’s courtroom at the Beverly Hills Municipal Court.

August 6, 1990

• Judge Albrecht allowed tapes to be used as evidence. Defense attorney Leslie Abramson appealed the decision.

March 2, 1991

• The California Court of Appeals overturned Albrecht’s decision. Prosecutors then appealed to the California Supreme Court.

June 4, 1992

• The California Supreme Court heard arguments on the issue of the tapes.
• The Court decided that release of the tape was not barred by patient-therapist privilege because Oziel believed the brothers had threatened him.
• The Court barred release of the November 28 tape and the December 11 tape made with Chaleff’s consent.

June 1990

• Erik began weekly therapy sessions with Dr. William Vicary, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist.

December 8, 1992

• The Menendez brothers were indicted by the Los Angeles County Grand Jury on charges that they murdered their parents.
• Two special circumstances were attached, multiple murder and lying in wait.

May 14, 1993

• Judge Weissberg ruled that the cases of Lyle and Erik Menendez would be tried together.

June 9, 1993

• Abramson said the defense would admit the brothers murdered their parents, while arguing that fear and years of abuse explained why the murders were committed.

July 17, 1993

• Leslie Abramson gave an interview to the Los Angeles Times three days before trial, saying there had been intense confrontations between the brothers and their parents before the murders.

July 20, 1993

• The first trial began. Prosecutor Pamela Bozanich described the brutality of the murders and argued the brothers killed their parents while lying in wait.
• Defense attorney Jill Lansing told jurors the brothers killed their parents out of fear.
• The defense argued that Erik’s revelation to Lyle shortly before the killings about alleged abuse triggered confrontation and fear.

July 26, 1993

• Craig Cignarelli testified about his visit to the Menendez mansion 12 days after the murders, where Erik allegedly described how the murders happened.
• Donovan Goodreau testified that his wallet with his ID was left behind in Lyle’s dorm room at Princeton.

August 4, 1993

• Dr. Oziel testified before both juries that the brothers wanted to kill Jose because he dominated their lives and made them feel inferior.
• Oziel testified Kitty was killed because the brothers did not want to leave her as a witness.

January 13, 1994

• After 16 days of deliberation, Erik’s jury announced it was deadlocked.

January 25, 1994

• After 24 days of deliberation, Lyle’s jury announced it was deadlocked. Judge Weissberg declared mistrials.

February 28, 1995

• Judge Weissberg set a second trial date of June 12, 1995. The retrial was postponed and began in August 1995.

April 1995

• Judge Weissberg ruled that the brothers would be retried together in front of a single jury.

August 21, 1995

• Jury selection began for the retrial. Trial Transcripts

October 11, 1995

• Opening statements began. Judge Weissberg ruled that the trial would not be televised.
• The judge restricted the number of witnesses the defense could call about abuse allegations.
• During the retrial, 64 witnesses testified, compared to 101 in the first trial. The trial lasted 23 weeks.

January 30, 1996

• After presenting 25 witnesses, the defense rested. Judge Weissberg limited the number of mental health experts the defense could present.

February 16, 1996

• Judge Weissberg ruled there was insufficient evidence to support the claim that the brothers were in imminent danger when they shot their parents. He denied the defense request for an imperfect self-defense instruction.

March 1, 1996

• The jury began deliberations. On March 14, two female jurors were dismissed for medical reasons and deliberations restarted with alternates.

March 20, 1996

• The jury found the Menendez brothers guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. The jury also found special circumstances of lying in wait and multiple murders.

April 1, 1996

• Friends and relatives testified for the defense during the penalty phase. Transcript

April 4, 1996

• Dr. Vicary revealed that he had altered notes under the direction of defense attorney Leslie Abramson, omitting sections containing incriminating statements by Erik Menendez.

April 5, 1996

• Abramson invoked her Fifth Amendment privilege and refused to answer questions about possible misconduct regarding Vicary’s notes.

April 6, 1996

• Conn testified about discovering discrepancies in Dr. Vicary’s notes. Unaltered notes had been turned over to Dr. Dietz, who shared them with the prosecution.

April 9, 1996

• Judge Weissberg ruled that no conflict of interest existed between Leslie Abramson and Erik Menendez that warranted her removal from the trial.

April 10, 1996

• Dr. Vicary completed his testimony. The prosecution called three rebuttal witnesses, Les Zoeller and Kitty’s brothers Milton and Brian Andersen.

April 11, 1996

• Prosecutor David Conn delivered his closing argument, urging the jury to sentence the brothers to death.

April 12, 1996

• The jury began deliberating whether the brothers should receive life in prison or the death penalty.

April 17, 1996

• After three days of deliberation, the jury decided that life in prison was the appropriate punishment for both Lyle and Erik Menendez.

June 1, 1996

• Defense attorneys filed a motion requesting a new trial, arguing that the judge erred by not allowing manslaughter verdicts and by allowing the December 11, 1989 tape.

July 2, 1996

• Lyle and Erik gave an interview to Barbara Walters.
• Lyle married Anna Eriksson remotely.
• Judge Weissberg sentenced Lyle and Erik Menendez to life in prison without the possibility of parole and ordered consecutive sentences.

August 2, 1996

• Dr. William Vicary was removed from the panel of mental health professionals appointed by Los Angeles Superior Court judges.

September 10, 1996

• The California Department of Corrections separated the Menendez brothers. Lyle was sent to California Correctional Institution near Tehachapi, and Erik was sent to California State Prison near Sacramento.

1997

• Dr. Oziel surrendered his psychotherapist license and moved from California.

February 27, 1998

• The California Court of Appeals upheld the murder convictions of Lyle and Erik Menendez.

May 28, 1998

• The California Supreme Court voted to uphold the murder convictions and life-without-parole sentences.

2001

• Anna Eriksson filed for divorce from Lyle.

November 2003

• Lyle married Rebecca Sneed at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California.

April 4, 2018

• Lyle was moved to the R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, where Erik was serving his sentence.

October 24, 2024

• 1:30 PM: Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced a decision on the Menendez brothers case.
• 5:10 PM: Gascón announced resentencing was appropriate and agreed to recommend it. Sentencing Memo

March 10, 2025

• 10:00 AM: Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced his office would move forward on a resentencing motion for Erik and Lyle Menendez while asking the court to withdraw the prior district attorney’s motion.

May 13, 2025

• A California judge resentenced Erik and Lyle Menendez to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole under California’s youthful offender law.

Menendez Brothers Testimony Sections

Records