---
title: "Erik Menendez denied parole after 35 years in prison for parents' murder"
description: "Aug 21 (Reuters) - Erik Menendez, who along with his brother Lyle has served 35 years of a life prison term for the 1989 shotgun murders of their parents in their Beverly Hills, California, home, was denied parole on Thursday."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-22-erik-menendez-denied-parole-after-35-years-in-prison-for-parents-murder/"
published: "2025-08-22T05:21:01"
updated: "2025-08-22T05:21:02"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 91
---

# Erik Menendez denied parole after 35 years in prison for parents' murder

> Aug 21 (Reuters) - Erik Menendez, who along with his brother Lyle has served 35 years of a life prison term for the 1989 shotgun murders of their parents in their Beverly Hills, California, home, was denied parole on Thursday.

By Reuters · Published 22 August 2025, 07:21 SAST · Updated 22 August 2025, 07:21 SAST

## Key points
- After a marathon 10-hour video hearing, Erik Menendez's bid for freedom was denied, with parole officials deeming him still too much of a public safety hazard despite his heartfelt apologies and claims of rehabilitation—guess he’ll have to keep perfecting his prison cooking skills a little longer.
- Erik Menendez appeared via video for a 10-hour parole hearing, claiming rehabilitation and expressing remorse for his past actions.
- Parole Commissioner Robert Barton denied his request, citing ongoing public safety risks.
- The board will evaluate Lyle Menendez's parole eligibility in a separate hearing scheduled for Friday.
- The case continues to draw attention as both brothers seek release decades after their infamous trial.

## Content

The decision was announced after a 10-hour hearing in which Erik Menendez, appearing via video from prison in San Diego, argued that he had been rehabilitated in prison and apologized for the pain he caused family members.

"Based on the legal standards, we find that you continue to pose an unreasonable risk to public safety," Parole Commissioner Robert Barton said to Erik Menendez, according to a media pool report.

The board will consider whether to recommend parole for brother Lyle Menendez on Friday.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward; Editing by Michael Perry)