Erik Menendez describes parents' murders in newly released audio from parole hearing

Friday, August 22, 2025
Eyewitness News and ABC News obtained an audio recording from Erik Menendez's parole board hearing through a public records request on Friday. The board denied him parole on Thursday.

Menendez and his brother Lyle Menendez were convicted of first-degree murder in 1996 during a retrial and sentenced to life in prison without parole. After a years-long battle, the Menendez brothers were resentenced to 50 years to life with the possibility of parole. Due to that resentencing, they became eligible for parole hearings under youth offender parole laws.

On Thursday, after nearly 10 hours of questioning and testimony, the board decided Menendez should remain in prison due to several factors, including his behavior while in prison.

The parole board said it's a three-year denial, and Erik Menendez can then be eligible for parole again at that time.

In the audio of the parole board hearing, Erik Menendez describes the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father and why he killed his mother. The audio also breaks down why the parole board denied Menendez parole.



Hear portions from the 10-hour parole board hearing below:

Erik Menendez explains buying the guns, what led up to his parents' murders



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Erik Menendez explains why he killed his mother after shooting his father



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Erik Menendez talks about being raised without a moral compass



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Parole Commissioner Robert Barton explains why they denied Erik Menendez parole



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