This Netflix miniseries from Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan doesn’t definitively conclude that Lyle and Erik had been abused nevertheless it does lend some actual credence to their claims. Murphy himself advised Leisure Tonight that “in the event you watch the present, I’d say 60-65% of our present heart across the abuse, and what they declare occurred to them. We do it very rigorously and we give them their day in courtroom, they usually speak brazenly about it.”
Whereas Monsters can’t supply up a last reply on the subject of the Menendez’ motive, it does no less than elevate the query once more in a compelling method. With that in thoughts, we thought it could be time to check out that query ourselves. With Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story as a leaping off level, right here is every thing we all know in regards to the Menendez Brothers’ true motive and whether or not their claims have benefit.
Different sources consulted for this piece embrace: This Reddit thread compiled by u/kimiashn, CNN’s Court docket TV archives, and trial footage.
Lyle Menendez’ Hair Loss Might Be Proof of Abuse
Youthful viewers experiencing the Lyle and Erik Menendez story for the primary time have been captivated by one factor particularly: Lyle’s hair loss. As depicted by Monsters‘ Lyle actor Nicholas Alexander Chavez, the true life Lyle Menendez wore a hairpiece so costly and life like that his brother supposedly didn’t even notice it was a wig till his mom snatched it off Lyle’s head 5 days earlier than the murders.
No definitive clarification has ever been supplied up as to why Lyle started to lose his hair at an unusually younger age (reportedly round age 16). Not one of the different males within the Menendez household seem to have skilled untimely balding, suggesting that it wasn’t a hereditary situation. It’s been well-documented, nevertheless, that stress can contribute to hair loss at any age, together with stress associated to sexual trauma.
Lyle’s hair loss as a symptom of abuse was introduced up by the protection throughout his trial. Skilled witnesses, together with Dr. Ann Tyler, additionally pointed to behaviors like hypersexualization, sensitivity to the touch, and performing out as proof of Lyle having been abused. Skilled testimony shouldn’t be first-hand proof and must be weighed appropriately. Moreover, it was totally established that each Menendez boys skilled vital ranges of stress because of their overbearing father normally, so Lyle’s hair loss may very well be attributed to that and never sexual abuse.
