If you’re still following the twists and turns of the Menendez case, you probably remember the heartbreaking footage from the 90s. Two brothers, Erik and Lyle, being hauled off in separate vans to separate lives. For over twenty years, that was the reality. They were hundreds of miles apart, locked in a digital-age version of medieval isolation where letters were the only bridge between them.
But here is the answer to the big question everyone is asking right now: Are the Menendez brothers separated today?
No.
As of early 2026, Lyle and Erik Menendez remain together at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. They aren't just in the same prison; they are in the same housing unit. This isn't some new development, but rather the continuation of a hard-won reunion that happened back in 2018. If you saw the headlines last year about their resentencing and parole hearings, you might have wondered if a transfer happened. It didn't. They are still side-by-side, navigating a legal landscape that has shifted beneath their feet more in the last twelve months than in the previous three decades.
The Long Road to the Same Zip Code
It's easy to forget how long they were kept apart.
The state of California didn't just happen to put them in different spots. It was a choice. Prison officials often separate co-defendants, especially high-profile ones, to prevent them from "colluding" or just because of the sheer notoriety of the case. Lyle was shipped off to Mule Creek State Prison in Ione. Erik was sent to Richard J. Donovan.
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For 22 years, they didn't see each other's faces. Think about that.
They communicated through letters. They played chess via the mail, sending moves back and forth that took days to arrive. It was a slow-motion relationship conducted on paper. Lyle eventually became the president of the inmate government at Mule Creek, while Erik worked with terminally ill inmates in San Diego.
The walls finally came down in February 2018. Lyle was transferred to Donovan, but they weren't immediately in the same room. It took another couple of months, until April 4, 2018, for the prison to move Erik into the same housing unit as his brother.
When they finally met? They burst into tears. Lyle reportedly whispered, "Finally."
Life in Echo Yard: Their Current Reality
So, what does "together" actually look like in a place like Donovan?
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They aren't roommates. They live in different dorm-style rooms within a unit called Echo Yard. This is what the CDCR calls a "Non-Designated Programming Facility." Basically, it’s a yard for inmates who have shown they can behave and are committed to rehabilitation. It’s less about "The Shawshank Redemption" and more about structured, communal living.
During the day, they are together. They eat meals at the same tables. They exercise together. They spend their time on "Green Space," a project Lyle started to beautify the prison grounds with murals and landscaping. Honestly, it’s probably the closest thing to a normal life they’ve had since they were teenagers in Beverly Hills.
Recent Legal Turmoil and Why They Stayed Put
2025 was a massive year for the brothers. In May, a judge finally agreed to resentence them to 50 years to life. Because they were under 26 when the crimes happened, this made them immediately eligible for parole.
The world watched their hearings in August 2025. Unfortunately for the brothers, the California Parole Board denied their release. Erik was denied on August 21, and Lyle followed the next day. The board cited concerns over past rule violations and the nature of the crime, despite the mountain of evidence regarding the abuse they suffered.
Even with the parole denial, their housing status didn't change. They stayed at Donovan. They are still working on their degrees—Lyle actually earned his bachelor’s in sociology from UC Irvine while behind bars and is now pushing through a master's program.
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Common Misconceptions About Their Separation
You’ve probably seen some rumors flying around TikTok or Reddit. Let's clear some of those up.
- "They were separated after the Netflix show." Wrong. If anything, the massive public interest from the Monsters series and the subsequent documentary only solidified the public's desire to see them stay together. The prison system hasn't moved them since the 2018 reunion.
- "Lyle is getting moved because of his marriage." Actually, Lyle and his wife, Rebecca Sneed, announced a separation of their own recently (a marital one, not a physical prison transfer). It was a "best friends and family" kind of split. It has zero impact on where he is housed.
- "One of them is in solitary." Neither brother is in solitary confinement. They are in a progressive, rehabilitative yard because their disciplinary records—especially Lyle's—are remarkably clean for people who have been inside for 35 years.
What Happens Next?
The legal fight isn't over. While the 2025 parole denial was a gut punch for their supporters, it isn't the end of the line.
They are eligible to try again in 2028. In the meantime, their lawyers are still pushing for clemency from Governor Gavin Newsom. There is also the matter of the habeas corpus petition based on the "Roy Rosselló evidence"—the former Menudo member who came forward with allegations against José Menendez.
For now, the brothers remain in San Diego. They are aging, they are studying, and they are together.
Actionable Insights for Following the Case
If you want to stay updated on whether the Menendez brothers are separated in the future or if their status changes, here’s how to do it properly:
- Check the CDCR Inmate Locator: You can actually search for "Joseph Lyle Menendez" and "Erik Galen Menendez" on the California Department of Corrections website. It will show you their current facility in real-time.
- Follow Robert Rand: He is the journalist who has covered this case for decades and wrote The Menendez Murders. He is often the first to know about internal prison moves.
- Watch the Parole Board Calendars: The next big milestone is 2028. You can find public schedules for the California Board of Parole Hearings online.
- Support Legal Reform: Much of the brothers' hope lies in "Youthful Offender" laws. Keeping an eye on California legislation regarding sentencing for crimes committed by people under 25 is the best way to understand if they’ll ever walk free.
The story of the Menendez brothers is no longer just about a crime from 1989. It's about how the prison system handles trauma, rehabilitation, and the bond between two siblings who have literally lived through hell together.