Erik Galen Menendez, one of the Menendez brothers known for the highly publicized case involving the homicide of their parents, is of Cuban-American ethnicity.
Erik and his brother Joseph Lyle Menéndez committed a heinous act, taking the life of their parents in their Beverly Hills home.
During the trial, they revealed that fear of being killed by their father drove their action as they endured years of abuse.
Later, authorities detained the brothers, making them a national sensation when Court TV broadcast the trial in 1993.
Both brothers were charged with two offenses, resulting in their sentencing to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Moreover, the Netflix “Monster” true-crime anthology series is set to adapt the Menendez brother’s story and premiere this week.
Erik Menendez’s Father, Jose, Moved To the United States Shortly After the End of the Cuban Revolution!
The offender, Eric, was born on 27 November 1971 to parents José Enrique Menéndez and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez.
José, a Cuban immigrant, moved to the States as a penniless teenager determined to succeed.
Additionally, he was born in 1944 to a father who was a soccer player and owned an accounting firm.
On the other hand, his mother was a star swimmer and a member of the country’s Sports Hall of Fame.
Alongside his two older sisters, Terry and Marta, Eric’s father, Jose, was raised in Havana, Cuba, receiving adoration from his mother.
At the age of 16, his parents decided to send him to the United States to escape the chaotic political situation after the Cuban Revolution.
José attended Southern Illinois University, where he first met Mary Louise “Kitty” Andersen.
In 1963, the couple walked down the aisle and relocated to New York City to further continue his study.
Furthermore, Mary Louise Anderson, nicknamed ‘Kitty’, was born to parents Charles Anderson and Mae Anderson.
Kitty grew up in Oak Lawn, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, and she and her three siblings lived in a middle-class household.
According to the investigators, her father owned a heating and air conditioning business and was often aggressive toward Mae and their children.
Eventually, these experiences caused her to become depressed and withdrawn, struggling to interact with others.
Therefore, Erik’s family history serves as a testament to his Cuban and American roots, celebrating his multicultural heritage.
Additional Information
- On June 12, 1999, Erik married Tammi Ruth Saccoman at Folsom State Prison in a prison waiting room.
- Erik attended Beverly Hills High School where he earned average grades but displayed a remarkable talent for tennis, ranking 44th in the US as a junior.
- Lyle and Erik’s cousin, Diane stated Lyle confessed to her that he was being sexually abused by his father.
