• Erik Menendez was denied parole after a nearly 10-hour hearing, marking a significant denial 36 years post-parents' murder.
• Lyle Menendez faced a similar fate just a day later, with both brothers’ prison behaviors contributing to the decision.
• The board criticized their history of prison misconduct, including recent illegal cellphone use and institutional violence.
• Both brothers can seek reconsideration in three years, but they also have avenues for clemency from the governor.
• The case has gained renewed public interest through several documentaries and shows, illustrating their long-term imprisonment.

Erik Menendez was denied parole during a hearing held on August 21, 2025, precisely 36 years after he and his brother murdered their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in Beverly Hills. The California Parole Board's decision was based on concerns regarding his behavior in prison, notably his repeated violations, including the possession of contraband cellphones and engagement in prison misconduct. "Today is the day all my victims learned my parents were dead," Erik expressed during the hearing, reflecting on the trauma of his family's past, according to Los Angeles Times, ABC News, and Reuters.

Just one day after Erik’s hearing, Lyle Menendez was also denied parole when he appeared virtually before a separate panel. The board's decision remained influenced by both brothers' conduct while incarcerated. Lyle presented his remorse, describing the pain inflicted on his family and asserting he acted without a plan during the fatal incidents in 1989. He stated, "I will never be able to make up for the harm and grief I caused everyone in my family," as reported by BBC, Los Angeles Times, and ABC News.

The board acknowledged the brothers' positive contributions while incarcerated, including educational programs and mentorship roles, but maintained that these efforts were overshadowed by their rule violations, such as Erik's possession of illicit cellphones and prior criminal associations in prison, highlighting a "selfish" attitude that presents a risk to public safety, according to South China Morning Post and India Times.

Both Erik and Lyle are eligible to reapply for parole in three years, despite the recent denials. Additionally, the brothers have expressed a desire to seek clemency from California Governor Gavin Newsom, which could alter their sentences outside the parole framework. This ongoing legal battle transcends mere criminal justice, intertwining with cultural narratives and public interest highlighted through various media portrayals, including a Netflix series and countless documentaries that have revived public engagement in their case, as noted by HuffPost and Al Jazeera.