If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok or caught the Netflix series that blew up recently, you probably feel like you know Lyle and Erik Menendez. But the distance between the grainy 90s courtroom footage of two young men in sweaters and the reality of 2026 is massive. People are constantly asking how old is the Menendez brothers now, and the answer isn't just a number on a birthday card—it’s a reflection of nearly four decades spent behind bars and a legal saga that refuses to stay in the past.
Honestly, it's wild to think about. When the brothers were arrested in 1990, the world was a completely different place. No smartphones. No social media. Just the nightly news and a trial that practically invented the true-crime obsession we all have today.
The Cold, Hard Numbers
Let’s get the math out of the way first because that’s what everyone is looking for.
As of right now in 2026, Lyle Menendez is 58 years old. He hit that milestone on January 10th. His younger brother, Erik Menendez, is currently 55 years old. He’ll turn 56 later this year on November 27th.
It's a strange realization for many who still picture them as the 21 and 18-year-old boys they were on that August night in 1989. They’ve spent more than double their lives in the California prison system. They aren't kids anymore. They are middle-aged men with graying hair, reading glasses, and a lot of history.
How Old is the Menendez Brothers Now and Where Are They?
The question of age is usually followed by "where are they?" For a long time, the brothers were separated. It was a brutal part of their sentence. Lyle was at Mule Creek State Prison, while Erik was hundreds of miles away at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego.
That changed in 2018.
They are finally together. They’re both housed at Richard J. Donovan now. According to various reports and family updates, they actually get to see each other. They live in the same housing unit. For two brothers who haven't known life outside of a cell since the Bush administration, that reunion was everything.
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The 2025 Legal Bombshell
You might’ve heard about the massive update that happened last year. It felt like the internet collectively held its breath. In May 2025, a Los Angeles judge finally did something that many thought would never happen: he resentenced them.
The brothers were originally serving life without the possibility of parole. That’s a "death by incarceration" sentence. But after decades of advocacy and new evidence—including a letter Erik wrote to his cousin eight months before the murders and allegations involving Roy Rosselló from Menudo—the court shifted.
The judge changed their sentence to 50 years to life.
Because they were under the age of 26 when the crimes occurred (Lyle was 21, Erik was 18), they became eligible for what’s called "Youthful Offender Parole" in California. Basically, the law recognizes that the human brain isn't fully developed until the mid-20s.
Are They Getting Out?
This is where things get complicated.
Even though they are "eligible" for parole, the door hasn't swung open just yet. In August 2025, the parole board actually denied their first major bid for release. It was a gut punch for the family. The board cited concerns about whether they had taken "full" responsibility, despite the brothers appearing via video link and giving emotional, remorseful statements.
Erik told the court, "My crime was not just criminal. It was wrong. It was immoral."
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But the commissioners weren't quite there yet. Lyle was given a three-year denial, which means he won't be back in front of the board until roughly 2028. Erik’s situation is similar.
Life Inside at 58 and 55
What do they actually do all day? They aren't just sitting in a cell staring at the wall.
Lyle has been busy. He actually earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from UC Irvine in 2024. He did it while in prison. Now, at 58, he’s reportedly working on a master’s degree in urban planning. He also runs a project called "Green Space," which is all about beautifying prison yards to help with inmate rehabilitation.
Erik has focused a lot on hospice care. He spends a significant amount of time working with aging and terminally ill inmates. It's heavy work.
Both brothers are married, which is something that always surprises people. Lyle married Rebecca Sneed in 2003, and Erik has been married to Tammi Menendez since 1999. Tammi has been his biggest vocal advocate for decades. She’s often the one posting updates on social media, keeping the public informed about their health and their hope.
Health Struggles
Getting older in prison isn't easy.
Last year, Erik had a major health scare. He had to undergo multiple surgeries for large kidney stones. His family shared that he was struggling with complications from those procedures. When you're 55 and living in a correctional facility, your body doesn't bounce back the same way it did when you were a teenager in Beverly Hills.
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Why the Case Still Matters in 2026
The reason people still care about how old is the Menendez brothers now isn't just morbid curiosity. It's about a shift in how we view trauma.
In the 90s, the prosecution laughed at the idea that these two "rich kids" could be victims of abuse. Today, the conversation is different. We understand the "freeze, fight, or flight" response better. We understand the long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse.
There's a massive divide in public opinion. Some people see them as cold-blooded killers who wanted a multimillion-dollar inheritance. Others see two terrified kids who snapped after years of unspeakable torture.
The new District Attorney in Los Angeles, Nathan Hochman, has been a bit more skeptical than his predecessor, George Gascón. While Gascón was pushing for their release, Hochman has taken a "wait and see" approach, arguing that they haven't "come clean" enough about the premeditation of the murders.
What Happens Next?
If you're following this case, you're waiting on two things:
- The Governor's Move: Gavin Newsom has the power of clemency. He could theoretically commute their sentences today if he wanted to. So far, he’s been waiting on risk assessments and parole board recommendations.
- The Next Parole Hearing: Since they were denied in 2025, they have a waiting game. These dates are usually set years out.
The Menendez family remains incredibly close. Dozens of cousins, aunts, and uncles have shown up at every single hearing. They’ve "universally forgiven" the brothers, which is a rare thing in cases like this. Usually, the family is split. Here, they are a united front.
If you want to stay updated on their status, keep an eye on official California Department of Corrections (CDCR) records or the social media accounts run by Tammi Menendez and their cousin, Anamaria Baralt. These sources provide the most direct updates on their health and legal standing. You can also look into the "Green Space" project if you're curious about the work Lyle is doing behind the walls. For now, the brothers remain at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, waiting for another chance to prove they belong in the world they left behind in 1989.