{"id":262531,"date":"2024-10-16T21:38:17","date_gmt":"2024-10-16T21:38:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/16\/family-statements-on-lyle-erik-hollywood-life\/"},"modified":"2025-06-25T17:10:49","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T17:10:49","slug":"family-statements-on-lyle-erik-hollywood-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/10\/16\/family-statements-on-lyle-erik-hollywood-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Family Statements on Lyle & Erik \u2013 Hollywood Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Image Credit: Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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As Erik Menendez<\/strong><\/a> and Lyle Menendez<\/strong><\/a>\u2018s upcoming court hearing approaches, their family members held a press conference, calling for a possible re-sentencing<\/a>. On Wednesday, October 16, several relatives spoke out in support of the brothers, including Kitty Menendez<\/strong><\/a>\u2018s sister, Joan Anderson VanderMolen<\/strong>. Lyle and Erik fatally shot Kitty and Jos\u00e9<\/strong><\/a> in August 1989, but their family has stood behind them since their 1990s trials.<\/p>\n

During the recent press conference, the family announced the launch of a coalition and website titled \u201cJustice for Lyle and Erik.\u201d The event\u00a0took place just hours after the Los Angeles District Attorney released Erik\u2019s letter<\/a> that was written to his late cousin, Andy Cano<\/strong>, in 1989, revealing that Erik informed his cousin of his father\u2019s abuse.<\/p>\n

Find out what the Menendez brothers\u2019 family said at the press conference, below.<\/p>\n

Kitty\u2019s Sister Blames Jos\u00e9<\/h2>\n

While taking to the podium in front of reporters, Joan called the murders of Lyle and Erik\u2019s late parents \u201ctragic\u201d but emphasized that the siblings committed the crime as a result of their father\u2019s \u201ccruelty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir actions, while tragic, were the desperate response of two boys trying to survive the unspeakable cruelty of their father,\u201d Kitty\u2019s sister said, according to Daily Mail<\/em><\/a>. \u201cThe truth is, Lyle and Erik were failed by the very people who should have protected them\u2014their parents, the system, and society at large.\u201d<\/p>\n

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At the Menendez Brothers press conference, their aunt explains the importance of understanding the impact of the trauma from sexual abuse: “Abuse has long lasting effects. Victims of trauma sometimes act in ways that are very difficult to understand” pic.twitter.com\/fxsR5DpSG0<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) October 16, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Kitty\u2019s Nephew Says Lyle & Erik are \u2018Not Villains\u2019<\/h2>\n

Brian Andersen Jr<\/strong>., one of Kitty\u2019s nephews, said that he\u2019s \u201cknown Erik and Lyle [his] whole life,\u201d according to the outlet.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve known Erik and Lyle my whole life. I can tell you without a doubt that they are not the villains they\u2019ve been portrayed as,\u201d Brian said. \u201cThey were boys, young, scared and abused by their father in ways no child should ever experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jos\u00e9\u2019s Niece Says Family Would Benefit From Menendez Siblings\u2019 Release<\/h2>\n

Anamaria Baral<\/strong>, one of Lyle and Erik\u2019s cousins, said that the incarcerated brothers \u201cdeserve a chance to heal, and our family deserves a chance to heal with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Per TODAY<\/em><\/a>, she continued, \u201cBoth sides of the family, united, sharing a new bond of hope. Hope that with the reexamination of the case a new outcome will be reached. Hope that this 34-year nightmare will end and we will be reunited as a family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jos\u00e9\u2019s Sister\u2019s \u2018Prayer\u2019 for Erik & Lyle<\/h2>\n

Anamaria read aloud a letter from her mother, Jos\u00e9\u2019s sister, which read, \u201cMy prayer is that I live long enough to see my nephews again and to hug them once more,\u201d according to Daily Mail<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Since their 1996 convictions, Lyle and Erik have maintained the claim that they killed their parents out of self-defense after years of alleged emotional, physical and sexual abuse at home.<\/p>\n

If you or anyone you know has been sexually abused, call the\u00a0<\/i>National Sexual Assault\u00a0Hotline<\/i><\/a>\u00a0at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). A trained staff member will provide confidential, judgment-free support as well as local resources to assist in healing, recovering and more.<\/i><\/p>\n

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