Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were sentenced to life in prison in 1996 for the murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, are hoping for a chance at freedom. As they await a crucial parole hearing, Kim Kardashian has emerged as one of their most vocal supporters—revealing a surprising personal connection to the brothers.
Kim, 44, has visited Erik and Lyle in prison and has publicly stated that she does not believe they are “monsters.” In the latest episode of The Kardashians, her mother, Kris Jenner, opened up about their family’s history with the Menendez brothers.
While on a road trip to Joshua Tree with her daughters Kim and Khloé Kardashian, Kris asked Kim if she had finished watching Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story on Netflix. Kim, who was one episode away from completing the series, sparked Kris to share a memory involving her late ex-husband, Robert Kardashian.
"Those two guys used to come over to our house and play tennis with your dad on the weekends," Kris recalled. "One day, they said, ‘Oh, we have a surprise for Robert.’"
She went on to explain that Erik and Lyle had restrung Robert’s tennis racket as a kind gesture. "If you had a freshly strung racket, you had a better tennis game, and Erik did that for Robert and dropped it off," Kris shared in a confessional.
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Reflecting on the shocking crime, Kris admitted, "When I heard on the news about the murders, I was in shock. It was something that just didn’t happen in Beverly Hills at that time."
Kris also revealed that she has been “fascinated” by the case ever since.
Kim, for her part, has immersed herself in uncovering the details. "I am so deep into the Menendez brothers’ story, trying to figure out all of the facts," she said. "Were they abused? Weren’t they abused? What’s the real evidence?"
She expressed her growing sympathy for the brothers, adding, "Knowing what I know now about life and the media—how they could have portrayed this case in a certain light—it all started clicking for me. I just have to know more."
The episode aired just as the Menendez brothers prepare for a significant legal hearing on June 13. Governor Gavin Newsom revealed on his new podcast that a risk assessment is being conducted by the parole board, which will be sent to both his office and a judge for review. If the judge decides to resentence the brothers and they receive a lighter sentence, they could be released based on time already served.
New episodes of The Kardashians Season 6 premiere every Thursday on Hulu.
