Erik Menendez being treated in hospital for 'serious medical condition' ahead of parole board hearing
Erik, 54 and Lyle Menendez, 57, referred to as the Menendez brothers, have served than 30 years behind bars for the vicious 1989 shotgun slayings of their parents, José and Kitty, in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.
It's now possible Erik will never return to his cell again.
He is receiving treatment for kidney stones, sources told TMZ on Tuesday.
The killer siblings have a parole board hearing on August 22 where it will be decided if they deserve to be freed.
It's up to Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom to put his stamp of approval on the brothers' release if the parole board recommends it, which would ultimately lead to their freedom.
Erik's attorney Mark Geragos confirmed Erik's condition to TMZ, calling for Mr Newsom to release the 54-year-old immediately before the trial date.
"If there was ever anybody who should be furloughed, especially right now, a month before the hearing, it's Erik," Mr Geros said.
"He's being treated right now. I'll leave it at that. It's a serious condition, and I think he needs to be out so he can focus on the hearing."
Mr Geragos remained tight-lipped on further details of Erik's health but said his kidney stones were "hopefully not" life-threatening.
The youngest of the brothers was transported to an outside medical facility by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on Friday where he remains in a "fair condition", TMZ reported.
The publication's sources said Mr Newsom is currently reviewing Erik's change in health to determine if a "prison furlough" is appropriate.
The California governor in February indicated he is sympathetic towards granting clemency to Erik and Lyle.
He could cut Erik a major break by granting a furlough, allowing him to avoid returning to prison until the parole board reviews his case.
Nevertheless, the length of the furlough if granted could only be until Erik's Kidney stones pass.
The brothers' cousin Anamaria Baralt in February told ABC Erik and Lyle have "cautious optimism" they'll be released after Mr Newsom addressed the brothers' request for clemency and ordered the parole board to investigate if they pose "an unreasonable risk to the public" if released.
"They are the first life without parole prisoners on this path," another cousin Tamara Goodell said.
"So when we look at any advancements...it's definitely with hope, but also understanding that there are no promises."
A Los Angeles judge in May reduced the sentences for the killer siblings from life without parole to 50 years to life with the possibility of parole.
The ruling followed an October 2024 Netflix documentary about the brothers' murders, which sparked significant public discussion and re-examination of their case, particularly regarding the impact of childhood sexual abuse and changing societal attitudes towards male victims.
The defence has claimed Lyke and Erik, who were 21 and 18 at the time, acted in self-defence after years of sexual abuse by their wealthy father.
Prosecutors alleged they killed for money.
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