Time moves differently when you’re behind bars, and for Lyle and Erik Menendez, it’s been a long, strange road since that bloody night in Beverly Hills back in 1989. Honestly, if you grew up in the 90s, you probably remember them as the guys in the cable-knit sweaters who the media painted as spoiled rich kids. But now, decades later, the question of how old are the Menendez brothers isn't just a trivia fact—it's actually a huge part of their fight for freedom.
As of early 2026, the brothers are firmly in their middle-age years. Lyle Menendez is 58 years old (born January 10, 1968), and his younger brother Erik Menendez is 55 (born November 27, 1970). It is wild to think about, but they have now spent more than half of their lives in the California Department of Corrections. They’ve actually lived longer in prison than their parents, José and Kitty, ever did.
The Current Age of the Menendez Brothers and Why It Matters in 2026
You might be wondering why everyone is suddenly googling their birthdays again. It’s not just because of the Netflix shows or the TikTok true-crime deep dives. It’s because their age at the time of the crime has become a legal "get out of jail" card—or at least a very strong lead.
Back in May 2025, a Los Angeles judge made a massive ruling. He resentenced them to 50 years to life. Because they were both under 26 when the killings happened (Lyle was 21 and Erik was 18), they fell under California’s "youthful offender" laws. Basically, the law now recognizes that a 20-year-old’s brain isn’t fully cooked yet.
📖 Related: Erik Menendez Height: What Most People Get Wrong
- Lyle Menendez: Turned 58 this month. He’s spent 36 years inside.
- Erik Menendez: Will turn 56 later this year. He was barely an adult when he was arrested.
The legal system finally caught up to the idea that people change. At their recent hearings, even family members who once stayed silent came out to say the brothers are "universally forgiven." It’s a complete 180 from the 1990s narrative.
Life Inside: What 36 Years in Prison Looks Like
They aren't just sitting in a cell staring at the wall. Both brothers are at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. For a long time, they were kept in separate prisons, which was reportedly devastating for them. They finally reunited in 2018, and since then, they’ve been pretty active in the prison community.
Erik has spent years working with terminal patients in the prison hospice and leading meditation groups. Lyle has been involved in prison government and even helped design a beautification project for the yard. It sounds small, but in a place like that, those things are everything.
👉 See also: Old pics of Lady Gaga: Why we’re still obsessed with Stefani Germanotta
Last year, their bids for parole were actually denied in August 2025. It was a huge blow to the "Free the Menendez Brothers" movement. The parole board basically said they needed more time to prove they weren't a risk to society, especially with the new District Attorney, Nathan Hochman, taking a tougher stance than the previous DA.
Why the World Is Obsessed With Them Again
The resurgence of interest really traces back to the "Monsters" series on Netflix and a massive wave of "new evidence." There was a letter Erik wrote to his cousin, Andy Cano, months before the murders that talked about the abuse. That letter was "lost" for decades.
Then you have Roy Rosselló, a former member of the boy band Menudo, who came forward claiming José Menendez abused him too. Suddenly, the "abuse excuse"—as prosecutors called it in the 90s—didn't look like an excuse anymore. It looked like a pattern.
✨ Don't miss: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes in 2026
The public perception has shifted so much that people see them more as victims of trauma who snapped rather than cold-blooded killers looking for an inheritance. Whether you agree with that or not, it’s the reason their age and their "youthful offender" status are the hottest topics in California law right now.
What’s Next for Lyle and Erik?
The road ahead is pretty narrow. Since their 2025 parole denial, they have to wait for their next scheduled hearing. Their lawyers are still pushing for clemency from Governor Gavin Newsom, but that’s a political minefield.
What you should keep an eye on:
- Parole Board Eligibility: They will likely have another chance to face the board in late 2026 or 2027.
- Habeas Petitions: Their legal team is still trying to get the original 1996 conviction vacated entirely based on the "new" evidence.
- Public Advocacy: The social media pressure isn't going away. If anything, it’s getting louder as the brothers get older.
It’s a complicated mess of 90s nostalgia, modern trauma awareness, and shifting politics. One thing is for sure: Lyle and Erik are no longer the kids the world remembers. They’re men in their late 50s waiting for a second chance that once seemed impossible.
If you’re following this case, the best way to stay informed is to track the Los Angeles County Superior Court filings specifically regarding "youthful offender" resentencing updates. These legal mechanisms are much more likely to result in their release than another Netflix documentary. Focus on the actual parole board transcripts rather than the sensationalized headlines; that’s where the real truth about their rehabilitation is buried.