This article contains discussions of murder and sexual abuse surrounding the real life and crimes of Erik and Lyle Menendez.
The following contains spoilers forMonsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, now streaming on Netflix
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Storydramatizes the infamous Menendez murders and highlights how quickly the brothers went through a massive fortune left to them. Created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, the second season of their true-crime anthology seriesMonsterexplores the story of Lyle and Erik, the sons of a wealthy and powerful executive in Los Angeles. Initially staging their murder of their parents as an attack, the brothers soon found themselves in court, defending their actions by claiming self-defense against a lifetime of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse.
By theend ofMonsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, the brothers have been arrested and lost much of their fortune. This reflects their fortunes in real life, which shifted dramatically in the months following the death of their parents. The inspiration behindMonsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’s characterscaught the attention of the authorities in partdue to their spending habits, and debts only continued to accrue after they were arrested. Here is how much the Menendez brothers spent of their massive family fortune, and how much that would be worth today.
10 Biggest Details Monsters Season 2 Leaves Out From Lyle & Erik Menendez’s True Story
Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story accurately adapts several real-life events but ends up glossing over a few important details.
Lyle & Erik Menendez Inherited $2 Million After Taxes, Lawyer Fees & Loans
The Menendez Brothers Spent Much Of Their Fortune In Little Time At All
The titular brothers fromMonsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Storyended up claiming only $2 million each of their originally $14 million dollar inheritance. José and Kitty were incredibly wealthy, thanks to the former’s employment at companies like Hertz Global Holdings, RCA Records, and Live Entertainment. Lyke & Erik’s inheritance of their parent’s estate following their deaths was over $14 million, according to reporting byTown and Country. However, the brothers would only have access to it for a year before being arrested in 1990.They subsequently spent much of their collective fortuneon taxes, debts, and legal fees.
Despite initially going on a spending spree with their fortunes, the Menendez brothers were soon faced with daunting amounts of debt like house mortgages and IRS payments. After they were arrested, more of their money went tolawyers like Laurie Abramsonto argue in their defense.The Menendez brothers even sold their home in 1991 at a loss of nearly $1.2 million, all just to pay off other debts. By 1994, Lyle and Erik had gone through roughly $10.8 million of their inheritance, leaving them both with closer to $2 million during much of their highly publicized trials.
Lyle & Erik Menendez’s Inheritance Is Equivalent To Over $5 Million Today
The Menendez Fortune Was Massive
As portrayed inMonsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, the main argument used by the brothers to defend themselves was a deep fear for their safety. Claiming their parents had been emotionally and sexually abusive for years, Lyle and Erik’s defense relied on the jury believing they were acting in self-defense.The prosecution instead focused heavily on the monetary gainthe brothers reaped as a result of the murders, citing that as a chief motivation for their crimes. Given the sheer size of the Menendez fortune, it’s not an unreasonable assumption to make.
Other films, TV shows, and documentaries have been made in the past about Lyle and Erik Menendez’s story.
José and Kitty had amassed a sizable fortune worth over $14 million in 1989, including multiple properties. By using inflation as a comparison point,that would be the equivalent of $36.8 millionat the time of this writing. It’s a truly staggering amount of money, and their prompt spending of it following the deaths of their parents was a major suspicion behind their arrest. As a result, even the eventual fraction they had left by 1994 is the equivalent of over $5 million today.
Monsters Season 2 Soundtrack Guide: Every Song & When They Play In Netflix’s Lyle & Erik Menendez Show
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How Much Of Their Inheritance Lyle & Erik Spent Before Being Caught
Lyle & Erik Spent A Lot Of Money In The Months After Their Murders
Going by the rate of inflation, Lyle and Erik Menendez spent the modern equivalent of $1.8 million of their fortune in the months following the deaths of their parents.Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Storyexplores the darker accusations and elements of the case, delving into the monetary gain and vengeful motivations behindErik and Lyle killing their parents.Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Storyis a brutal show that reflects the differing arguments offered in the real-life case that captured the vivid attention of the world over three decades ago.
Via:Town and Country
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story
Cast
This true crime drama delves into the infamous case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, two brothers who were convicted of murdering their parents. The series examines the complex family dynamics and legal battles that captivated the nation, highlighting the motivations and repercussions of their actions.
