Lyle and Erik Menendez have spent over 35 years behind bars. It is a staggering amount of time. If you think about it, they’ve now been incarcerated significantly longer than they were ever free.
They were arrested in March 1990. At the time, Lyle was 22 and Erik was 19. They’ve basically grown old in the California prison system. Today, in early 2026, Lyle is 58 and Erik is 55. They are older now than their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, ever were.
The Long Road: How Long Have Erik and Lyle Been in Jail Exactly?
If you’re counting the days, the clock started ticking on March 8, 1990, for Lyle and March 11, 1990, for Erik. Since then, they haven't spent a single night outside of a locked facility.
For decades, the answer to "how long" seemed like it would be "forever." They were famously sentenced to life without the possibility of parole (LWOP) in 1996. That usually means you leave prison in a casket. But the legal landscape shifted wildly in late 2024 and throughout 2025.
Why the timeline changed in 2025
You've probably seen the headlines. After years of petitions and a massive surge in public interest—partly fueled by Netflix’s Monsters and a viral TikTok movement—the brothers finally got a real shot at freedom.
In May 2025, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic did something many thought impossible. He resentenced them. He threw out the "life without parole" tag and gave them 50 years to life. Because they were under 26 when the crimes happened, California’s "youthful offender" laws kicked in. This made them eligible for parole immediately.
- Total time served: 35 years and counting.
- Current Location: Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego.
- Status: Incarcerated, despite being eligible for release.
The 2025 Parole Denials: A Major Setback
Even though they were "eligible" for parole in mid-2025, that didn't mean the gates just swung open. It's actually been a bit of a rollercoaster.
In August 2025, both brothers faced the California parole board. It was a massive media event. Their legal team, led by Mark Geragos, argued they were completely rehabilitated. They pointed to Lyle’s work with the "Green Space" project and Erik’s years of work in hospice care for dying inmates.
The board didn't see it that way.
In a move that devastated their supporters, the board denied parole for both Erik and Lyle. The commissioners expressed concerns that the brothers hadn't fully "come clean" about the financial motives for the 1989 killings. DA Nathan Hochman, who took office after George Gascón, was also vocal in his opposition. He argued that while they’ve been "model prisoners," there's still a lack of accountability for the premeditated nature of the shotgun murders.
Where the Case Stands Right Now (2026)
So, if you’re asking how long have erik and lyle been in jail today, the answer is still "every second since March 1990."
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They are living in Echo Yard at the Donovan facility. It’s a specialized unit for inmates who follow the rules and participate in education. It's "nicer" than a maximum-security block—they can take yoga, paint murals, and use tablets—but make no mistake, it’s still prison. They are locked in their cells at 9 p.m. every night.
What happens next?
Honestly, the path to freedom is narrowing, but it's not closed.
- The Three-Year Wait: Since their parole was denied in August 2025, they typically have to wait three years for their next scheduled hearing. That puts the next big date in 2028.
- The Governor’s Power: Governor Gavin Newsom still has the power of clemency. He’s been sitting on this for a long time. He requested a "comprehensive risk assessment" in early 2025, but he’s been hesitant to sign a release order, likely due to the political sensitivity of the case.
- New Evidence Appeals: Their lawyers are still pushing the "new evidence" angle, specifically the 2023 claims from Roy Rosselló (a former member of the band Menudo) who alleged Jose Menendez also abused him. If a court eventually decides this evidence should have been in the original trial, the whole conviction could be vacated.
Why People Are Still Divided
It’s been over three decades, yet the Menendez case is just as polarizing as it was in the 90s. One side sees two victims of horrific sexual abuse who "snapped" and have more than paid their debt. They look at the 35 years served and say, "Enough is enough."
The other side sees two young men who executed their parents to get a $14 million inheritance and then went on a shopping spree for Rolexes and Porsches. To them, 35 years is a light sentence for double murder.
Whatever side you're on, the reality is that the Menendez brothers are now middle-aged men who have spent their entire adult lives behind a fence.
Key takeaway for followers of the case:
If you are tracking their release, keep your eyes on the California Governor’s office. While the parole board said "no" in 2025, executive clemency is the only thing that could get them out before 2028. For now, they remain at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, continuing their education and waiting for a legal miracle.
To stay updated on the specific legal filings, you should regularly check the Los Angeles County Superior Court portal for case number SA002728. This is where any new motions regarding their 50-year-to-life sentence or habeas corpus petitions will be officially recorded.