Things to Understand About the Wives of Lyle Menendez and Erik Menendez
Lyle Menendez, at the age of 28, tied the knot with model and salon receptionist Anna Eriksson on July 2, 1996. This was the same day that Lyle and his brother Erik Menendez received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the double murder of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez in 1989.
Anna began correspondences with Lyle in 1993 during his first trial, which ended in a mistrial. She later relocated to California in 1994 to be closer to him. She stood by his side throughout the months-long retrial that began in 1995 and concluded with convictions in March 1996, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Due to the circumstances, Lyle and Anna were unable to exchange vows in person. Instead, Lyle recited his vows over the phone, with the groom in custody and the bride in the office of defense attorney Leslie Abramson.
There appeared to be hope that Lyle would be able to marry Anna in person once his final destination was determined.
“We do have a marriage proceeding,” confirmed California Correctional Institution spokesman Lt. Jack Pitko to the LA Times in September 1996, after Lyle and Erik were assigned to separate prisons. “There’s a waiting list…But I don’t see why he shouldn’t be able to get married if he follows all the rules.”
Anna initiated divorce proceedings in 2001 following reports at the time alleging that Lyle was engaging in correspondence with other women.