Lyle Menéndez and his brother, Erik Menéndez, grew to become notorious for his or her extremely publicized 1993 trial over the murders of their mother and father. The brothers shot and killed their mom, Mary Louise “Kitty,” and father, José, claiming they have been victims of bodily, emotional, and sexual abuse by the hands of their mother and father. Regardless of their life sentences, the Menendez brothers nonetheless attracted vital consideration from ladies. In truth, each brothers married whereas behind bars—Lyle doing so greater than as soon as.
Right here’s all the pieces you want to learn about Lyle’s relationship historical past with two ladies whereas serving his life sentence.
Who Is Anna Erikkson?
Lyle’s first spouse, Anna Eriksson, was born in Chicago and commenced modeling as a teen for Lord & Taylor earlier than transitioning to modeling in Europe throughout the Nineteen Eighties, as she informed PEOPLE in 1996.
Eriksson defined that she first wrote to Lyle throughout his trial, sending a message that learn, “Cling robust,” which began their correspondence. “All I can say is that we’ve linked, though we’ve by no means touched,” she informed the outlet. Eriksson moved to L.A. to be nearer to Lyle, they usually have been married on July 2, 1996, simply earlier than he and his brother have been convicted of their mother and father’ murders.
Nevertheless, the Los Angeles Occasions reported that the California Division of Corrections didn’t “acknowledge the marriage” and deemed it “not a authorized marriage” because it came about over the telephone. On April 1, 2001, it was introduced that Lyle and Anna had filed for divorce. Eriksson reportedly determined to finish their marriage after discovering Lyle’s romantic involvement with one other girl — Rebecca Sneed.
Who Is Rebecca Sneed?
Just like Eriksson, Menendez and Sneed started their relationship via letters.
On November 20, 2003, Lyle married Rebecca, a former journal editor who had transitioned right into a protection lawyer from Sacramento. That they had been corresponding for almost a decade earlier than their marriage ceremony, which came about within the visiting space of California’s Mule Creek State Jail.
Regardless of the challenges of their distinctive state of affairs, Lyle described his marriage to Sneed as “wholesome” and “constructed round discovering artistic methods to speak.” Throughout ABC’s Fact and Lies: The Menendez Brothers, he shared, “I’ve discovered I can have a wholesome marriage that’s difficult and constructed round dialog and discovering artistic methods to speak, sharing, with out all of the props which might be usually there in marriage by way of going out to dinner and having as a lot intimate time collectively and so forth.”
He added, “One factor I’ve discovered is that your bodily consolation is far much less necessary than your reference to the folks round you.”
Throughout an interview with PEOPLE, Lyle defined, “Our interplay tends to be very freed from distractions, and we in all probability have extra intimate conversations than most married spouses do. We try to speak on the telephone every single day, generally a number of occasions a day. I’ve a really regular, concerned marriage that helps maintain me and brings a lot peace and pleasure. It’s a counter to the unpredictable, very worrying setting right here.”
Acknowledging the challenges Rebecca confronted, Lyle mentioned, “Persons are judgmental, and she or he has to place up with quite a bit. However she has the braveness to cope with the obstacles. It could be simpler to go away, however I’m profoundly grateful that she doesn’t.”
Is Lyle Menendez Nonetheless Married?
Based on Rebecca, she and Lyle separated “some time” in the past, she wrote in a Fb put up on November 22, 2024, per E! Information.
“Lyle and I’ve been separated for some time now however stay greatest family and friends,” Rebecca defined in her Fb put up. “I proceed to run his Fb pages, with enter from him, and I’m ceaselessly dedicated to the enduring struggle for Lyle and Erik’s freedom, as has been so evident over time.”
After vowing to maintain supporters up to date on Erik and Lyle’s upcoming listening to, Rebecca clarified, “That is NOT a dishonest scandal.” She was seemingly referring to the web rumors that her estranged husband had cheated on her with a youthful girl.
Rebecca’s social media put up contradicts what Lyle mentioned about their marriage weeks prior. Based on an announcement obtained by NBC Information, Lyle mirrored on his expertise being a husband whereas nonetheless in jail.
“This coming November might be my twentieth marriage ceremony anniversary,” Lyle wrote in his assertion. “Studying to be a husband and a associate from inside a jail has been difficult. It has additionally modified my life in so many optimistic methods. … Her unwavering assist and perception in me is one thing I’m most grateful for and has performed no small half in my journey to be a greater particular person.”
Is Erik Menendez Married?
As for Lyle’s brother, Erik, he has been married to his spouse, Tammi Saccoman, since 1999. Erik met Tammi whereas in jail, and the 2 started their relationship via letters.
