Life, love, and lockdown: Will the Menendez story change?
Lyle and Erik Menendez have been serving life sentences in prison for nearly 30 years. Despite being behind bars, both are in long-term marriages, having married their partners after receiving their sentences. What are their relationships with their spouses like?
8 October 2024 10:49
The Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, are among the most infamous criminals in the United States. Their notoriety stems from the brutal killing of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, at their home in Beverly Hills. The crime took place in 1989, and since then, the media has regularly followed the brothers, who were sentenced to life imprisonment. There have been ongoing calls for the men to be released from prison.
The Menendez brothers' case recently gained new attention thanks to a Netflix series. It is currently one of the hottest topics online—not just in the United States. Among those who have weighed in on the public debate is Kim Kardashian, who claims the brothers should be free. Lyle and Erik's lawyers have filed new documents aiming to re-evaluate the murder case from over 30 years ago. Soon, the men will be questioned once again.
Love in the shadow of crime
The brothers initially tried to conceal their guilt by staging the murder scene, but the investigation quickly revealed their involvement. After a series of trials that attracted significant media attention, the brothers were sentenced in 1996 to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
The Menendez brothers claimed their actions were a result of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse they allegedly suffered at the hands of their father, a well-known businessman in Hollywood. They also accused their mother of ignoring the situation. However, the prosecution argued that the motive for the crime was greed. Shortly after the murder, the brothers began spending large sums from their parents' estate on luxuries.
Interestingly, their notorious reputation did not prevent them from meeting women or getting married.
Who are the wives of the Menendez brothers?
Both Lyle and Erik are currently married. Interestingly, their wives were well aware that they were convicted of double murder. Erik enjoys a more stable romantic life than his brother. Since 1999, he has been married to Tammi Saccoman. Their relationship began through exchanging letters while Erik was already serving his sentence. Tammi detailed their unusual relationship in the book "They Said We'd Never Make It: My Life with Erik Menendez."
During a 2005 interview on NBC, she mentioned that entering a relationship with Erik wasn’t her original plan but acknowledged that it has turned out very positive. However, she openly admits that the limitations on visitation in prison pose significant challenges for them as a couple.
The couple has no children, but Erik is a stepfather to Tammi's daughter from her previous relationship. For obvious reasons, the spouses do not have the opportunity for intimacy. Tammi discussed this topic in an interview with "People" magazine.
Not having sex in my life is difficult, but it’s not a problem for me. I have to be emotionally attached, and I’m emotionally attached to Erik... My family does not understand. When it started to get serious, some of them just threw up their hands - she explained.
Menendez speaks equally warmly about his wife, with media reports citing that she "keeps him alive".
Husbands behind bars, wives on the outside
Lyle Menendez has walked down the prison aisle twice. His first wife was model Anna Eriksson, whom he married in 1996. The couple divorced five years later, reportedly because of Lyle's infidelity.
In 2003, Menendez married Rebecca Sneed for the second time. He had known her for over a decade before they wed. During that time, Rebecca worked as a journalist. However, she switched careers and is currently a lawyer. Menendez and Sneed have no children.
Even though Lyle is in prison and will likely never be released, their relationship is stable. The couple maintains regular contact, mainly over the phone.
Our interaction tends to be very free of distractions and we probably have more intimate conversations than most married spouses do, who are distracted by life's events - Lyle praised his marriage to Rebecca in "People" magazine in 2007.
If the brothers convince the court of their motives for the crime and thus gain freedom, they will be able to be with their wives daily. It would be a true test of their long-distance marriages.
