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 have been victims of bodily, emotional, and sexual abuse by the hands of their mother and father. Despite their life sentences, the Menendez brothers nonetheless attracted important consideration from girls. In reality, the brothers acquired married whereas behind bars. Lyle wed his second spouse within the early 2000s after divorcing his first spouse.
Here’s every little thing to learn about Lyle’s relationship historical past with two girls 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 Eighties, as she informed PEOPLE in 1996.
Eriksson defined that she first wrote to Lyle throughout his trial, sending a message that learn, “Hang powerful,” which began their correspondence. “All I can say is that we’ve related, despite the fact that 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.
However, the Los Angeles Times reported that the California Department of Corrections didn’t “acknowledge the marriage” and deemed it “not a authorized marriage” because it occurred over the cellphone. 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 lady — Rebecca Sneed.
Who is Rebecca Sneed?
Similar to Eriksson, Menendez and Sneed started their relationship by means of letters.
On November 20, 2003, Lyle married Rebecca, a former journal editor who had transitioned right into a protection lawyer from Sacramento. They had been corresponding for practically a decade earlier than their marriage ceremony, which occurred within the visiting space of California’s Mule Creek State Prison.
Despite the challenges of their distinctive state of affairs, Lyle described his marriage to Sneed as “wholesome” and “constructed round discovering artistic methods to speak.” During ABC’s Truth 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 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 realized is that your bodily consolation is way much less essential than your reference to the individuals round you.”
During 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 cellphone day by day, typically 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 nerve-racking setting right here.”
Acknowledging the challenges Rebecca confronted, Lyle mentioned, “People are judgmental, and she or he has to place up with loads. But she has the braveness to cope with the obstacles. It can be simpler to go away, however I’m profoundly grateful that she doesn’t.”
Is Lyle Menendez Still Married?
According to Rebecca, she and Lyle separated “some time” in the past, she wrote in a Facebook publish on November 22, 2024, per E! News.
“Lyle and I’ve been separated for some time now however stay finest family and friends,” Rebecca defined in her Facebook publish. “I proceed to run his Facebook pages, with enter from him, and I’m ceaselessly dedicated to the enduring combat 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, “This is NOT a dishonest scandal.” She was seemingly referring to the net rumors that her estranged husband had cheated on her with a youthful lady.
Rebecca’s social media publish contradicts what Lyle mentioned about their marriage weeks prior. According to an announcement obtained by NBC News, Lyle mirrored on his expertise being a husband whereas nonetheless in jail.
“This coming November shall be my twentieth marriage ceremony anniversary,” Lyle wrote in his assertion. “Learning to be a husband and a companion from inside a jail has been difficult. It has additionally modified my life in so many constructive 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 individual.”
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 means of letters.