Lyle Menendez: his life and relationships with women in prison
19 september 2024 в 23:37
Lyle Menendez and his brother, Erik Menendez, became famous due to their widely publicized 1993 trial for the murder of their parents. The brothers shot their mother, Mary Louise «Kitty», and father, Jose, claiming they were victims of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse by their parents. Despite their heinous crimes and life sentences, the Menendez brothers still attracted significant attention from women.
Here is everything you need to know about Lyle’s romantic relationships with two women during his life sentence.
Lyle’s first wife, Anna Eriksson, was born in Chicago and began a modeling career as a teenager for Lord & Taylor before transitioning to modeling in Europe in the 1980s, as she told People magazine in 1996.
Eriksson explained that she first wrote to Lyle during his trial, sending a message that said, «Hang in there». This started their correspondence. «All I can say is that we connected, although we never touched each other», - she told the publication. Eriksson moved to Los Angeles to be closer to Lyle, and they married on July 2, 1996, shortly after he and his brother were found guilty of killing their parents.
However, the Los Angeles Times reported that the California Department of Corrections did not «recognize the marriage» and deemed it «invalid» as it was conducted over the phone. On April 1, 2001, it was announced that Lyle and Anna had filed for divorce. Reports indicate that Eriksson decided to end their marriage after learning about Lyle’s romantic relationship with another woman, Rebecca Sneed.
Like Eriksson, Menendez and Sneed began their relationship through letters.
On November 20, 2003, Lyle married Rebecca, a former magazine editor who transitioned to become a defense attorney from Sacramento. They corresponded for almost ten years before their wedding, which took place in the visiting area of Mule Creek State Prison in California.
Despite the challenges of their unique situation, Lyle described his marriage to Sneed as «healthy» and «based on finding creative ways to communicate». During the ABC Truth and Lies: The Menendez Brothers special, he shared: «I realized that I could have a healthy marriage that is complex and based on conversations and finding creative ways to communicate, sharing, without all the trappings that are usually present in marriage, like going out to restaurants and spending time together and so on».
He added: «One thing I realized is that your physical comfort is much less important than your connection with the people around you».
In an interview with PEOPLE, Lyle explained: «Our communication is usually free from distractions, and we probably have more intimate conversations than most spouses. We try to talk on the phone every day, sometimes several times a day. I have a very stable, engaged marriage that helps me and brings a lot of peace and joy. It’s a counterpoint to the unpredictable, very stressful environment here».
Acknowledging the obstacles Rebecca faces, Lyle said: «People judge, and she has to deal with a lot. But she has the courage to face the obstacles. It would be easier to walk away, but I am deeply grateful that she does not».
As for Lyle’s brother, Erik, he has been married to his wife, Tammi Saccoman, since 1999. Erik met Tammi while in prison, and they began their relationship through letters
Here is everything you need to know about Lyle’s romantic relationships with two women during his life sentence.
Lyle’s first wife, Anna Eriksson, was born in Chicago and began a modeling career as a teenager for Lord & Taylor before transitioning to modeling in Europe in the 1980s, as she told People magazine in 1996.
Eriksson explained that she first wrote to Lyle during his trial, sending a message that said, «Hang in there». This started their correspondence. «All I can say is that we connected, although we never touched each other», - she told the publication. Eriksson moved to Los Angeles to be closer to Lyle, and they married on July 2, 1996, shortly after he and his brother were found guilty of killing their parents.
However, the Los Angeles Times reported that the California Department of Corrections did not «recognize the marriage» and deemed it «invalid» as it was conducted over the phone. On April 1, 2001, it was announced that Lyle and Anna had filed for divorce. Reports indicate that Eriksson decided to end their marriage after learning about Lyle’s romantic relationship with another woman, Rebecca Sneed.
Like Eriksson, Menendez and Sneed began their relationship through letters.
On November 20, 2003, Lyle married Rebecca, a former magazine editor who transitioned to become a defense attorney from Sacramento. They corresponded for almost ten years before their wedding, which took place in the visiting area of Mule Creek State Prison in California.
Despite the challenges of their unique situation, Lyle described his marriage to Sneed as «healthy» and «based on finding creative ways to communicate». During the ABC Truth and Lies: The Menendez Brothers special, he shared: «I realized that I could have a healthy marriage that is complex and based on conversations and finding creative ways to communicate, sharing, without all the trappings that are usually present in marriage, like going out to restaurants and spending time together and so on».
He added: «One thing I realized is that your physical comfort is much less important than your connection with the people around you».
In an interview with PEOPLE, Lyle explained: «Our communication is usually free from distractions, and we probably have more intimate conversations than most spouses. We try to talk on the phone every day, sometimes several times a day. I have a very stable, engaged marriage that helps me and brings a lot of peace and joy. It’s a counterpoint to the unpredictable, very stressful environment here».
Acknowledging the obstacles Rebecca faces, Lyle said: «People judge, and she has to deal with a lot. But she has the courage to face the obstacles. It would be easier to walk away, but I am deeply grateful that she does not».
As for Lyle’s brother, Erik, he has been married to his wife, Tammi Saccoman, since 1999. Erik met Tammi while in prison, and they began their relationship through letters
© Puhova Marina
