Yes, they are. Lyle and Erik Menendez are both still alive, though their world remains defined by the thick concrete walls of the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. If you’ve been following the whirlwind of Netflix documentaries and social media true-crime debates, you probably have a dozen different versions of their story in your head.
But honestly, the reality on the ground in 2026 is far more complicated than a streaming script.
For decades, the brothers were ghosts in the system. They were locked away in separate prisons with no hope of ever seeing the sun as free men. Then, the world suddenly cared again. A massive wave of public interest, fueled by new evidence and a shift in how we understand trauma, pushed their case back into the courtroom.
Where exactly are they now?
As of early 2026, both brothers are still incarcerated at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility. This isn't the typical "maximum security" nightmare you see in movies. They live in what's called the "Echo Yard"—a non-designated programming facility. Basically, it’s a place for inmates who have proven they aren't a threat to the staff or each other.
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- Lyle Menendez (58): He spent years at Mule Creek State Prison before moving to San Diego to be with his brother. He’s been a leader in prison government and actually earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from UC Irvine while behind bars.
- Erik Menendez (55): Erik has focused heavily on meditation and art. He's the primary artist behind a massive mural project designed to make the prison yard feel less like a "concrete slab" and more like a park.
It’s a strange existence. They spend their days painting, attending classes, and working on prison reform. But they still stand for "counts" several times a day. At 9 p.m., the doors lock.
The 2025 resentencing: A bittersweet victory
The biggest update you need to know is what happened in May 2025. For 35 years, their sentence was "Life Without Parole." That meant they were supposed to die in prison.
However, after a massive legal push, a Los Angeles judge officially resentenced them to 50 years to life. Because of California’s "youthful offender" laws—and the fact that they were under 26 when the crimes happened—this change made them eligible for parole immediately.
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Everyone expected them to walk out the door. The family was waiting. The cameras were ready.
But the system had other ideas. In August 2025, the California parole board denied their initial bids for freedom. The board cited concerns over past rule violations and "deception," basically arguing that the brothers hadn't shown enough true remorse for the 1989 killings.
Why this case still feels "unfinished"
You've likely heard about the "new evidence" that triggered this recent chaos. It wasn't just a TikTok trend.
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- The Roy Rosselló Allegations: A former member of the boy band Menudo came forward claiming José Menendez drugged and raped him in the 1980s.
- The 1988 Letter: A letter Erik wrote to his cousin eight months before the murders was discovered, which defense lawyers say proves the sexual abuse wasn't a "defense strategy" cooked up for the trial.
Despite this, the current L.A. District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, has been much more skeptical than his predecessor. He’s argued that "not yet" is the right answer for their release. He wants more proof that they’ve fully owned up to the murders without the "self-defense" caveats.
What happens next?
Lyle and Erik aren't going anywhere today, but the clock is ticking. Under current rules, they can apply for parole again in 2028.
There is also the wildcard of clemency. California Governor Gavin Newsom has the power to shorten their sentences even further or grant them a pardon. For now, he’s been playing it safe, waiting for the legal dust to settle.
If you want to keep tabs on the case, don't just look for headlines. Follow the updates from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) regarding parole eligibility dates. The most tangible thing you can do to understand the nuance here is to look into the California Youthful Offender Parole law (Senate Bill 260), which is the specific mechanism that changed their fate. It’s a dense read, but it explains why two men convicted of first-degree murder even have a shot at freedom in the first place.