Menendez Brothers Reveal Moment They Were Reunited in Prison After 21 Years Apart: 'Finally a Chance to Heal'

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Erik Menendez (L) and brother Lyle Menendez (R) at a pre-trial hearing on December 29, 1992 in Los Angeles. VINCE BUCCI/Getty Images

The infamous Menendez brothers, still incarcerated for the murders of their parents, are revealing the moment they were reunited in prison after spending 21 years apart, claiming they "finally had a chance to heal."

Erik and Lyle Menendez were convicted for the 1989 shooting deaths of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez.

In 1996, the brothers were sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without parole and transferred to the California correctional facility under the assumption they would be housed together.

Lyle, who's now 56, said that he missed his brother's support and companionship.

"I feared that I could not protect him. I just felt no peace. Like a part of me was just across the state. I fought for decades to be reunited with my brother."

In April 2018, Lyle was granted his one request: to be reunited with his brother Erik.

"I felt like it was finally a chance to heal," says Lyle in the in the new Netflix documentary 'The Menendez Brothers'.

"And I was starting on that day."

"We thought we were going to go to the same prison," Erik, now 53, says in the documentary.

He explains the last time he saw Lyle.

"They put him in one van, and I didn't understand why they were putting me in another van," he said, adding, "I started screaming out to Lyle, and they shut the door. It was the last time I saw him."

When they were first convicted, they had begged to be housed in the same correctional facility, and Erik had gone on a hunger strike when he and Lyle were first separated.

Erik described the moment like a prayer being answered. "The joy of seeing him again and of being able to wrap my arms around him and give a hug was overwhelming."

Now they see each other every day and remain as close as ever.

"It only took 21 years," exclaimed Lyle.

Despite attempts to appeal their convictions over the years, their efforts never proved successful, but now they may have a chance.

On Thursday, October 3, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon announced he would review new evidence his office had received supporting the brother's claim of abuse, giving way for a potential resentencing.

Tags
Los Angeles, Murder
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