Erik Menendez Diagnosed With 'Serious' Medical Condition – Report

More than three decades after the infamous Beverly Hills murders that stunned the nation, Erik Menendez's future may now hinge not on legal arguments, but on a medical crisis.

Erik Menendez's attorneys have formally requested that California Governor Gavin Newsom release him from prison immediately, citing a serious medical condition ahead of his parole hearing in August 2025.

According to attorney Mark Geragos, who appeared on TMZ Live on July 22, 2025, Erik's health issue is "serious." He added that although his client is currently receiving treatment in prison, accessing specialist care outside the facility would be appropriate and, based on the seriousness of the issue, essential.

TMZ has since confirmed that Erik is being treated for kidney stones.

Erik and his brother Lyle are scheduled to appear before the California parole board on August 21 and 22, 2025. Their parole hearing was initially scheduled for June 13, 2025, but was postponed to give the state parole board more time to complete assessments.

This marks their first eligibility for parole since a judge resentenced them. While Lyle's hearing remains on schedule, Erik's medical situation could prompt an earlier review.

Governor Newsom had previously expressed sympathy for both brothers and continues to consider their requests for clemency and parole.

Erik and Lyle were originally sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in Beverly Hills — a case that captivated the nation and led to two highly publicized trials in the 1990s.

Despite their conviction, the brothers have maintained the support of more than 20 family members, many of whom have publicly backed their efforts to be released from prison.

In May 2025, after a lengthy legal campaign, the Menendez brothers were resentenced to 50 years to life under California's youthful offender statute — making them eligible for parole for the first time since their incarceration 35 years ago.

However, eligibility is only the beginning. The parole process is complex and can take years before a decision is finalized.

During the resentencing hearing, both brothers addressed the court through video statements recorded in prison. In a moment of unflinching accountability, Lyle declared:

"I killed my mom and dad. I give no excuses."

He also admitted to perjury, acknowledging that he had lied in court during the original trials. He apologized for years of dishonesty and the pain caused by the murders.

Erik followed with his statement of remorse, saying, "I committed an atrocious act. My actions were criminal, selfish, and cowardly. No excuse. No justification for what I did."

The judge overseeing the resentencing acknowledged the brutality of the crime but was moved by letters from correctional officers attesting to the brothers' good behavior, educational contributions, and personal growth behind bars.

In early 2025, Governor Newsom directed the California parole board to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment to determine whether Erik and Lyle would pose a danger to society if released — a key step in both the clemency and parole processes.

While clemency and parole are separate legal paths, both are being actively reviewed in this case. The clemency request is proceeding independently of the parole hearings, and the governor has stated his intention to ensure a thorough and impartial evaluation of all evidence before making any decision.

On an episode of his podcast "This Is Gavin Newsom," on July 20, 2025, the governor spoke with television producer Ryan Murphy, whose Netflix series "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story" reignited interest in the case.

Newsom confirmed that he has refrained from watching the dramatized series, explaining that viewing it could cloud his judgment in an active matter under his review.

Murphy, meanwhile, shared that the process of developing the series had caused him to shift his opinion and now support the brothers' release. He pointed to their youth at the time of the crime, their record of rehabilitation, and the support they've received from family and correctional staff as contributing factors.

Although the governor holds the authority to grant clemency at any time, the parole decision ultimately rests with the state parole board. Their evaluation, set for August 21 and 22, 2025, will assess whether the Menendez brothers meet the legal standards for rehabilitation.

This includes consistent good behavior during their decades of incarceration, psychological assessments, and whether they present a reduced risk to public safety.

If the board issues a favorable recommendation, the case will return to Governor Newsom's desk for review. He has indicated that a final decision could come as early as Labor Day, though the timeline remains contingent on the outcome of the parole board's findings.

Murphy quipped that the governor could watch the series over the Labor Day holiday, to which Newsom replied, "I'm going to see if I made the right decision. Like, 'Jesus, I should've watched this before.'"