You’ve seen the TikToks. You’ve probably binged the Netflix series. Maybe you even remember the grainy courtroom footage from the nineties. But if you drive past 722 North Elm Drive in Beverly Hills today, you won’t see the dark, wood-paneled "den of horrors" portrayed in the shows. You’ll see a construction site.
So, who lives in the Menendez brothers house now?
The short answer: Nobody. At least, not yet.
As of early 2026, the infamous Mediterranean-style villa is in the middle of a massive transformation. After sitting under the same ownership for over two decades, the house was sold in March 2024 for a cool $17 million. The buyers? A wealthy Iranian family based in Los Angeles, the Lahijanis, who purchased the property through an LLC called LAHA ELM.
If you were expecting a ghoulish true-crime fanatic to be sleeping in the master suite, you're going to be disappointed. The Lahijanis are real estate investors, and they aren't just painting the walls. They’ve basically gutted the place.
The $17 Million Sale: Why Now?
The timing of the sale was... eerie.
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The deal closed on March 20, 2024. That is exactly 28 years to the day after Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted of first-degree murder. Was it a coincidence? Most real estate experts say yes. The house had been on the market since December 2023, originally listed for about $20 million.
It ended up selling for 25% below its "market value." Why? Because even in Beverly Hills, a double homicide in the living room is a tough sell. Orell Anderson, a forensic appraiser who specializes in "stigmatized properties," noted that the "bad voodoo" of a murder house usually results in a significant price haircut.
The seller was Sam Delug, a telecommunications executive. He bought the place in 2001 for $3.7 million and stayed there for 23 years. Honestly, he’s the one who lived there the longest. He saw the house through the quiet years before Netflix brought the case back into the global spotlight.
A History of Owners (And Why They Left)
Since José and Kitty Menendez were killed in 1989, the home has changed hands several times. It’s a revolving door of people trying to outrun a legacy.
- The Mystery Buyer (1991): After the murders, the house sat empty. The estate eventually sold it for $3.6 million, which was a loss even back then.
- William Link (1993): Here’s a bit of irony for you. William Link, the co-creator of Murder, She Wrote, bought the house. He lived there for eight years. You can't make this stuff up.
- Sam Delug (2001): Delug was the most "normal" owner. He renovated the exterior but kept the general vibe. He was the one who finally decided to cash out when the market peaked.
- The Lahijanis (2024 - Present): The current owners. They are currently erasing the past with sledgehammers.
What’s Happening Inside the House Today?
If you try to peek through the gates today, you'll see a lot of scaffolding and dust.
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The Lahijanis are doing what most investors do with "stigmatized" mansions: they are stripping it to the studs. Recent reports and neighborhood sightings confirm the interior has been completely gutted. The goal is likely to strip away the "Menendez" aesthetic entirely.
The 9,063-square-foot layout is being modernized. We're talking about removing the specific rooms where the crimes occurred and redesigning the flow of the house so it no longer resembles the floor plan seen in crime scene photos. It’s a classic real estate move—if you change the house enough, the "ghosts" (metaphorical or otherwise) supposedly leave.
The Neighborhood Nightmare
Living on Elm Drive isn't exactly peaceful right now.
Ever since Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story hit Netflix, the street has been packed. Neighbors have been complaining to the Beverly Hills Police Department about "true crime tourists" blocking driveways and taking selfies in front of the gate.
It’s gotten so bad that there’s been talk of increased patrols. For the current owners, this is a double-edged sword. On one hand, the publicity keeps the property value high. On the other, who wants to live in a house where people are constantly filming your front door?
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Can a House Ever Escape Its Past?
The Menendez mansion was built in 1927 and redesigned in 1984 by Mark Slotkin. Before the murders, it had a glamorous history. Prince once rented it. Elton John stayed there. It was a crown jewel of the Beverly Hills flats.
But once the shotgun blasts happened in that den, the narrative changed forever.
The Lahijanis are betting $17 million (plus millions more in construction) that they can reset the clock. By the time they are done, the house will likely look like any other ultra-modern, high-end Beverly Hills estate.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
If you’re following the saga of who lives in the menendez brothers house now, here is what you need to keep in mind:
- Don't trespass: The site is under heavy surveillance. The new owners are private investors, and they aren't interested in tours.
- Check the permits: If you're a real estate nerd, you can track the progress of the renovation through Beverly Hills public building permits. This shows exactly how much of the original structure is being altered.
- Watch the market: Once the renovations are complete, look for the house to hit the market again or for the family to move in quietly. If it hits the market, the listing price will be the ultimate test of whether the "stigma" has finally faded.
The house at 722 North Elm Drive is currently a shell of its former self. It's being rebuilt for a new era, proving that in Los Angeles, even the darkest history can be painted over if you have enough money.
Next Steps for You
Check the latest Los Angeles County property records or the Beverly Hills Building and Safety department's online portal if you want to see the specific architectural changes being made to the 722 North Elm Drive site. Following the "LAHA ELM LLC" filings can also provide insight into the investors' future plans for the property.