Lyle Menendez: the story of relationships with two women behind bars
25 november 2024 в 17:37
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 being sentenced to life in prison, the Menendez brothers still attracted significant attention from women. In fact, the brothers got married while behind bars. Lyle married his second wife in the early 2000s after divorcing his first wife.
Here is everything you need to know about Lyle’s relationships with two women while serving 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, even though we never touched», - she told the publication. Eriksson moved to Los Angeles to be closer to Lyle, and they got married on July 2, 1996, shortly before he and his brother were found guilty of their parents' murder.
However, the Los Angeles Times reported that the California Department of Corrections did not «recognize the marriage» and considered it an «invalid marriage» because it took place 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 the marriage after learning about Lyle’s romantic relationship with another woman, Rebecca Sneed.
Like Eriksson, Menendez and Sneed started their relationship through letters.
On November 20, 2003, Lyle married Rebecca, a former magazine editor who became a defense attorney from Sacramento. They corresponded for almost ten years before getting married in the visiting area of the 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 program «Truth and Lies: The Menendez Brothers», - he shared, «I realized I could have a healthy marriage that is complex and based on conversations and finding creative ways to communicate, exchange, without all the trappings that are usually in a marriage, including going out to restaurants and spending time alone 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».
During an interview with PEOPLE, Lyle explained, «Our interactions are 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 counterexample to the unpredictable, very stressful environment here».
Acknowledging the obstacles Rebecca faced, Lyle said, «People judge, and she has to endure a lot. But she has the courage to deal with obstacles. It would be easier to leave, but I am deeply grateful that she does not».
According to Rebecca, she and Lyle «parted ways some time ago», - she wrote in a Facebook message on November 22, 2024, according to E! News.
«Lyle and I parted ways some time ago, but we remain best friends and family», - Rebecca explained in her Facebook message. «I continue to manage his Facebook pages, with his involvement, and am forever committed to fighting for the freedom of Lyle and Erik, as has been evident all these years».
After promising to keep supporters informed about the upcoming hearing for Erik and Lyle, Rebecca clarified, «This is NOT betrayal»
Here is everything you need to know about Lyle’s relationships with two women while serving 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, even though we never touched», - she told the publication. Eriksson moved to Los Angeles to be closer to Lyle, and they got married on July 2, 1996, shortly before he and his brother were found guilty of their parents' murder.
However, the Los Angeles Times reported that the California Department of Corrections did not «recognize the marriage» and considered it an «invalid marriage» because it took place 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 the marriage after learning about Lyle’s romantic relationship with another woman, Rebecca Sneed.
Like Eriksson, Menendez and Sneed started their relationship through letters.
On November 20, 2003, Lyle married Rebecca, a former magazine editor who became a defense attorney from Sacramento. They corresponded for almost ten years before getting married in the visiting area of the 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 program «Truth and Lies: The Menendez Brothers», - he shared, «I realized I could have a healthy marriage that is complex and based on conversations and finding creative ways to communicate, exchange, without all the trappings that are usually in a marriage, including going out to restaurants and spending time alone 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».
During an interview with PEOPLE, Lyle explained, «Our interactions are 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 counterexample to the unpredictable, very stressful environment here».
Acknowledging the obstacles Rebecca faced, Lyle said, «People judge, and she has to endure a lot. But she has the courage to deal with obstacles. It would be easier to leave, but I am deeply grateful that she does not».
According to Rebecca, she and Lyle «parted ways some time ago», - she wrote in a Facebook message on November 22, 2024, according to E! News.
«Lyle and I parted ways some time ago, but we remain best friends and family», - Rebecca explained in her Facebook message. «I continue to manage his Facebook pages, with his involvement, and am forever committed to fighting for the freedom of Lyle and Erik, as has been evident all these years».
After promising to keep supporters informed about the upcoming hearing for Erik and Lyle, Rebecca clarified, «This is NOT betrayal»
© Artemenko Olga
