As Erik and Lyle Menendez inch closer to their highly anticipated parole hearing next month, a surprising twist has surfaced—one that could impact the outcome in a big way.
According to TMZ, Erik Menendez, 54, is currently battling a serious medical condition, and his attorney Mark Geragos is urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to step in before it’s too late. Speaking to the outlet on July 22, Geragos didn’t hold back about the urgency of the situation.
“I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag,” he told TMZ. “Erik is having a serious medical condition right now.”
While Geragos declined to share specifics, citing legal and medical privacy, he made it clear that Erik’s health issue is nothing minor.
“I’m not going to violate HIPAA or attorney/client or anything else,” he said. “But if there was ever anybody who should be furloughed, especially right now, a month before the hearing, it’s Erik.”
Geragos also noted that his client is currently undergoing treatment, though the exact nature of the condition remains a mystery. “It’s a serious condition,” he added. “He needs, I think, to be out and focus on the hearing.”
And when pressed by TMZ about whether the condition could be life-threatening, Geragos cautiously responded, “Hopefully not.”
Erik and his brother Lyle are both set to appear before a California parole board on August 22. This comes after their 1996 life sentences for the 1989 murders of their parents—Jose and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez—were recently reduced to 50 years to life, making them eligible for parole as of May.
The judge overseeing the resentencing reportedly stated, “I can’t make a finding that they are an ‘unreasonable risk,’” paving the way for their first real shot at release in nearly four decades.
So far, no official comment has been made by Erik’s wife, Tammi Menendez, or his legal team regarding the exact nature of his condition, although BBC confirmed they’ve reached out for further details.
The latest development comes just as public interest in the Menendez brothers has resurfaced thanks to a wave of documentaries, social media commentary, and even a new wave of supporters who believe their case deserves a second look.
For now, the spotlight remains on whether Governor Newsom will respond to Geragos’ request and grant Erik a medical furlough ahead of the hearing. Whether it happens or not, one thing’s for sure—the August 22 parole hearing just got even more high-stakes.