Lyle Menéndez and his brother, Erik Menéndez, turned 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 had 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 important consideration from ladies. In reality, each brothers married whereas behind bars—Lyle doing so greater than as soon as.
Right here’s every little thing you could find out 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 started modeling as a teen for Lord & Taylor earlier than transitioning to modeling in Europe throughout the Nineteen Eighties, as she instructed PEOPLE in 1996.
Eriksson defined that she first wrote to Lyle throughout his trial, sending a message that learn, “Grasp robust,” which began their correspondence. “All I can say is that we’ve related, regardless that we’ve by no means touched,” she instructed the outlet. Eriksson moved to L.A. to be nearer to Lyle, and so they had been married on July 2, 1996, simply earlier than he and his brother had been convicted of their mother and father’ murders.
Nonetheless, 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 happened 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?
Much like Eriksson, Menendez and Sneed started their relationship by way of letters.
On November 20, 2003, Lyle married Rebecca, a former journal editor who had transitioned right into a protection legal professional from Sacramento. They’d been corresponding for practically a decade earlier than their marriage ceremony, which happened 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 Reality and Lies: The Menendez Brothers, he shared, “I’ve discovered I can have a wholesome marriage that’s sophisticated and constructed round dialog and discovering artistic methods to speak, sharing, with out all of the props which are usually there in marriage when it comes to 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 way much less essential 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 most likely have extra intimate conversations than most married spouses do. We try to discuss on the telephone daily, generally a number of instances 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 traumatic atmosphere right here.”
Acknowledging the challenges Rebecca confronted, Lyle stated, “Individuals are judgmental, and he or she has to place up with so much. However she has the braveness to take care of the obstacles. It might be simpler to depart, however I’m profoundly grateful that she doesn’t.”
Is Lyle Menendez Nonetheless Married?
In line with Rebecca, she and Lyle separated “some time” in the past, she wrote in a Fb publish 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 publish. “I proceed to run his Fb pages, with enter from him, and I’m endlessly 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 publish contradicts what Lyle stated about their marriage weeks prior. In line with a press release 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 companion from inside a jail has been difficult. It has additionally modified my life in so many optimistic methods. … Her unwavering help 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 by way of letters.
