Lyle & Eric Menendez Reunite In Prison For The First Time In 22 Years

Brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez meet again for the first time since 1996 after Lyle was transferred to the same prison as Erik.

The two were convicted for the murder of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. Prosecutors argued that the brothers murdered them in order to obtain the family fortune. However, their attorney said it was self-defense for a lifetime worth of abuse they experienced.

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Initially, Lyle had been serving his time at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, California, which was 500 miles away from Erik. However, Lyle’s security classification lowered, which allowed them to be put in the same unit of R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. The two reunited on Wednesday night.

Lyle had applied for a prison change six times, before finally being granted a change to the same prison as his brother. The brothers are not currently cellmates, but do live in the same housing unit that features rehabilitative and educational programs.

Robert Rand, author of the upcoming book The Menendez Murders, explained that the reunion between the sibling was extremely emotional for the both of them, given that it was the first time they talked in person in over two decades.

“The prison officials allowed them to meet together in a room for about an hour,” Rand said. “And both brothers immediately became very emotional. They hugged each other. And they are so excited to be reunited after all these years.”

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In a previous interview, Lyle explained that they have only been able to communicate through family members and writing letters since they were not allowed to call each other on the phone.

Their aunt Marta Menendez Cano explains that she’s been praying for this reunion for years. “I think it’s an answer to prayer,” she told Today. “I’ve been praying for many, many years that this would happen.”

Both brothers are currently serving life in prison without parole.