If you’ve ever gone down a true crime rabbit hole late at night, you’ve probably stumbled across the case of Erik and Lyle Menendez. Two wealthy brothers from Beverly Hills who shocked America in 1989 when they murdered their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, inside their mansion. But here’s the thing: most people know the headlines, not the details. What actually happened inside that house? How did the Menendez brothers kill their parents—and why did they do it? For true crime fans who want the story laid out clearly—without the sensationalism—this breakdown will walk you through the crime, the investigation, and the courtroom drama that made the Menendez brothers a household name. The Night of the Murders On August 20, 1989, the Menendez family was at home after a quiet evening together. José and Kitty were sitting in the den of their Beverly Hills mansion, watching television. Lyle and Erik, both in their 20s, entered the room armed with 12-gauge shotguns. First shots fired:...