Biography
Joseph Lyle Menendez was born on January 10, 1968, in New York. Lyle is known for his involvement in the gruesome murder of his parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez.
If you are also reading about them for the first time, then let us tell you that the new titles coming to Netflix include the terrifying second installment of Ryan Murphy’s Monsters, which focuses on Lyle Menendez and Erik Menendez. This article concerns Lyle Menendez’s wife, age, early life, biography, etc.
Wiki
Full Name | Joseph Lyle Menendez |
Nick Name | Lyle Menendez |
Born (Date of Birth) | January 10, 1968 |
Age (as of 2025) | 57 years old |
Birthplace | New York City, New York, USA |
Gender | Male |
Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
Hometown | Beverly Hills, California, USA |
School | Princeton Day School (New Jersey) |
College | University of Southern California |
Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in Psychology |
Profession | Convicted murderer (formerly, a student and basketball player) |
Nationality | American |
Citizenship | United States |
Religion | NA |
Father | Patriarch Jose Menendez (deceased, murdered in 1989) |
Mother | Kitty Menendez (deceased, murdered in 1989) |
Siblings | 1 Brother |
Sister | NA |
Brother | Erik Menendez |
Spouse | Anna Eriksson (1996 to 2001) and Rebecca Sneed (m 2003) |
Children’s | NA |
Son | NA |
Daughter | NA |
Favourite Food | NA |
Debut | NA |
Famous For | Being convicted of the 1989 murders of his parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez |
Birthday
Birthday | January 10, 1968 |
Physical Stats
Eye Colour | Brown |
Hair Colour | Bald |
Date of Birth
Date of Birth | January 10, 1968 |
Age
Lyle age as of 2025 is 57 years.
Age | 57 years old |
Height
Height in Feet | 6 feet |
Height in centimetres | 183 cm |
Height in Meters | 1.83 meters |
Weight
Weight in KG | 86 kg |
Weight in Pounds | 190 lbs |
Marital Status
First Marriage (1996-2001): Lyle married Anna Erickson on July 2, 1996 in a ceremony in prison. But they divorced on April 1, 2001. The main reason for their divorce is Lyle cheating on Anna Erickson.
Second Marriage (2003-Present): He married his old friend, whom he had known for about 10 years. Rebecca Sneed and Lyle married in November 2003 in a ceremony in a visiting area of Mule Creek State Prison.
Marital Status | Married |
Spouse | Anna Eriksson (1996 to 2001) and Rebecca Sneed (m 2003) |
Girlfriend | NA |
Controversy | NA |
Children
Layal was in jail for murder before his marriage, so he did not expand his family. He has no children.
Children | None |
Son | None |
Daughter | None |
Family
Lyle’s father, patriarch Jose, was the CEO of Live Entertainment, and his mother, Kitty Menendez, was a homemaker. He shifted with his family to California in his childhood. His early life was relatively normal; he grew up in a wealthy family. The Menendez family moved to Beverly Hills, California, where Lyle attended prestigious schools along with his younger brother.
Father | Patriarch Jose Menendez (deceased) |
Mother | Kitty Menendez (deceased) |
Sister | None |
Brother | Erik Menendez (brother, co-defendant in the case) |
Educational Qualification
Lyle attended Princeton Day School in New Jersey before studying at the University of Southern California (USC). Lyle earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. During his time at USC, Lyle also played basketball in college. However, despite high academic and athletic ability, his life took a different turn, and he became involved in one of the most sensational murder cases in American history.
School | Princeton Day School, New Jersey |
College | University of Southern California (USC) |
Educational Qualification | Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (USC) |
Awards | NA |
The Murders of José and Kitty Menendez
On August 20, 1989, Kitty and Jose Menendez were shot dead in their Beverly Hills mansion. When police arrived at the scene, the first people officers found were Lyle, who was just 21, and Erik, who was 18. They both returned home to find their parents dead, he told police.
But, when police began investigating, the way the brothers started spending money after their parents’ murder raised alarm bells. Lyle went ahead and bought several luxury items like a Rolex watch and a Porsche and also opened a restaurant. Erik also left no stone unturned. He spent money on private tennis lessons and other high-life activities.
In 1990, when both Lyle and Erik were arrested, authorities learned that Erik had told his psychiatrist, Dr. Jerome Oziel, how he and Lyle killed their parents. Trial and Conviction The Menendez brothers’ case gained a lot of popularity after its initial broadcast as part of a miniseries on YouTube.
Their defense argued that their father had emotionally, physically, and sexually abused them for years, which led them to kill their parents in self-defense. The prosecution painted a very different picture, arguing that the brothers killed their parents.
Trial and Conviction
The Menendez brothers’ case gained a lot of attention after its initial broadcast as part of a miniseries on YouTube. Their defense argued that their father had emotionally, physically, and sexually abused them for years, causing them to kill their parents in self-defense.
The prosecution painted a very different picture, arguing that the siblings killed their parents because they were going to have a lot of money after their deaths. Years after the trial was publicly broadcast, the Menendez trial was declared a mistrial after two juries found both not guilty.
The two were convicted in 1996 of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, after most evidence of abuse on the part of prosecutors was dismissed in 1995.
Life in Prison
Lyle is currently incarcerated at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, California. Initially, the two were sent to different places, but years later they were rehoused in the same facility in 2018.
Since then, Lyle has participated in extracurricular activities such as educational programs with other inmates and has shown great leadership skills. In various interviews, he mentioned his regret and remorse for what happened.
Social Media
KulFiy | Lyle Menendez |
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Snapchat | NA |
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YouTube | NA |
Media and Pop Culture
The Menendez brothers‘ case has garnered media attention ever since it happened. It is considered one of the most shocking homicides in America. Owing to its intrigue, it has resulted in multiple documentaries and films such as:
“Law and Order: True Crime: The Menendez Murders” (2017): A drama series depicting the infamous Middle Eastern law and order.
“The Menendez Murders: Erik Tells All” (2017) -a documentary featuring Erik Menendez himself.
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (2024) – a Netflix series produced by Ryan Murphy.
Legacy and Public Perception
Public opinion on the Menendez brothers is very divergent. Social media users relentlessly argue whether they were indeed cold-blooded killers or merely abused victims acting in self-defense. These conversations have reignited interest into the case, making some believe there is a need to reopen the case.
It is a very common notion that homicide should be punished by life in prison. However, these brothers claim to have been abused in a way that warrants understanding from their supporters. While they remain imprisoned, none of the legal attempts to overturn their sentences have been fruitful.
Net Worth
Lyle Menendez’s net worth as of 2025 is effectively zero. He was barred from inheriting his family’s estate, valued at approximately $14.5 million, due to California’s “slayer law” after being convicted of murdering his parents in 1989.
Currently, Lyle is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, California, limiting his ability to generate income.
Net Worth 2021 | NA |
Net Worth 2022 | NA |
Net Worth 2023 | NA |
Net Worth 2024 | NA |
Net Worth 2025 | NA |
FAQs
Who is Lyle Menendez?
Joseph Lyle Menendez was born on January 10, 1968, in New York. Lyle is known for his involvement in the gruesome murder of his parents Jose and Kitty Menendez.
Is Lyle Menendez married?
Lyle has married twice in prison.
Does Lyle Menendez have a kid?
Layal was in jail for murder before his marriage, so he did not expand his family. He has no children.
How old is Lyle Menendez?
Lyle age as of 2025 is 57 years.
Who is Lyle Menendez married to?
Lyle married Anna Eriksson (1996 to 2001) and Rebecca Sneed (m 2003). He married Anna Erickson on July 2, 1996, in a ceremony in prison. But they divorced on April 1, 2001. Rebecca Sneed and Lyle married in November 2003 in a ceremony in a visiting area at Mule Creek State Prison.
Where to watch Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story?
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” is available for streaming on Netflix.
How tall is Lyle Menendez?
Lyle height is 6 feet.
Who are Lyle Menendez’s parents?
Lyle’s father patriarch Jose was the CEO of Live Entertainment and his mother Kitty Menendez was a homemaker.