Back on August 20, 1989, brothers Lyle (21) and Erik (18) Menendez murdered their parents Jose and Mary "Kitty" at the family's home in Beverly Hills at 722 North Elm Drive. Jose was shot point blank in the back of the head with a Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun while watching the James Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me. Kitty who was sleeping in her room was awakened by the gunshot and ran down the hallway and was shot in the leg, causing it to break. Then Kitty was shot several times in the arm, chest, and face, leaving her unrecognizable. Both Jose and Kitty were shot in the kneecaps to make the murders appear related to organized crime.
For roughly 6 months after the death of their parents, the Menendez brothers lived a lavish lifestyle spending close to $1 million on cars, travel, restaurant businesses, and penthouse apartments. On March 8, 1990, Lyle was arrested after Erik confessed the murders to his psychologist who after being threatened by Lyle told the police. Indictments were not issued to the brothers until December 1992 after tapes of Erik's conversation with his psychologist were finally admissible in court.
Prosecutors contended that the sons killed out of hatred and greed, but the brothers countered at their trial that they killed in fear and self-defense after years of abuse.
The trial of the Menendez brothers became a national sensation when Court TV broadcast the trial during 1993. Eventually, they were both found guilty after a couple of trials and the brothers were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on July 2, 1996. The rather surprising story here is that the Menendez brothers have been married in prison even considering that the state of California doesnt allow conjugal visits for murderers.
So what does this bloody and cruel murder in Beverly Hills have to do with the SFV? While the Menendezes were living in a rented home in Beverly Hills where the infamous murder took place, the Menendez family owned a home in Calabasas that was under renovation at the time. Additionally, Erik and Lyle also attended Calabasas High School.
That home is located at 24969 Mulholland Highway which has been available on the market for quite some time. The home measures 6 Beds/7 Baths on 7, 170 sqft on a total lot size of 11.72 acres built in 1982. The home was first listed on July 6, 2013 for $3,499,000 and is currently available for $2,999,000. The home was previoulsy listed in September 11, 2012 for $3.9 million but removed on January 1, 2013. The home was purchased by Vera and Raymond Stewart for $1.325 million on October 12, 1994 at an auction at the Beverly Hills Courthouse as part of a probate sale which was the only bid submitted. The listing description states:
REDUCED!!! Amazing opportunity to own an exclusive and private gated vineyard estate in Calabasas. Situated on nearly 16-acres of open and majestic park-like grounds that is usable for horses, this estate is adorned with almost 2 acres of fenced mature Syrah vines. Over 7,000 square feet that includes five bedrooms, seven baths. The Formal Living Room is bright and spacious with French Doors that open to the wrap around balcony. A large center island kitchen is complete with granite counters, three-ovens, and Sub Zero side-by-side refrigerator freezer. The Master Suite offers a private retreat with wood-burning fireplace. Four secondary bedrooms are located on the lower level, and all feature en suite baths. Verdant rear grounds offer a backdrop to the pool area, fruit trees provide shade to the expansive patios, while the dark-bottomed pool and spa offer panoramic views of the Saddlepeak Mountains. Amenities include a well with water storage tanks, one-bedroom one-bath guest quarters above the six-car garage, and a fully lit tennis court. This property has 2 legal parcels fenced, gated and private. Only minutes to the 101 freeway and Malibu Canyon. Located in Las Virgenes school district, close to Viewpoint
Speaking of spoiled kids who commit crime from the West Valley, I forgot to add this story to my controversial post, Dont Raise Your Kids In The West Valley: A Retrospective Review of Young Adult Crime In The West Valley which discusses other murders by kids raised in the West Valley. Also, the Will Smith/Jada Pinkett estate is just down the street from this home which is rumored to be available as a pocket listing.
For further reading, I recommend an LA Times article regarding the sale of the Calabasas home, Wikipedia, Murderpedia for gruesome crime photos, and People magazine article about Erik's marriage in prison.
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| Images courtesy Sotheby's International Realty |
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