Erik Menendez, who was all over the headlines in the 1990s along with his brother Lyle over the murder of their parents Jose and Kitty Menendez, now lives as a faithful person in prison. The man convicted for two life imprisonments without parole has been sharing the Gospel to his fellow inmates, according to a close relative.
The prisoner's aunt on their father's side, Marta Cano, told ABC News that Erik has been teaching the Gospel to a group in prison and that her nephew had asked her for some religious books to share with the inmates.
"He was really making sure that the prisoners knew that there is a God that loves us," Cano said. "That was marvelous to me because he never got that at home."
Erik was only 18 when he went to trial with Lyle, 21, for the gruesome murders of their parents in their house in Beverly Hills. Police grew suspicious of the brothers in the months following the crime after they allegedly spent their parents' money lavishly.
The defense argued that their parents abused the boys physically, emotionally and sexually; the prosecution said they wanted their parents' wealth. The case gained national attention in the media when two sets of juries came to a deadlock.
The retrial, however, sealed the brothers' fate in prison. Erik and Lyle were sent to separate correctional facilities. This April, the Menendez brothers finally reunited after 22 years apart when officials decided they could be placed in the same housing. The brothers burst into tears when they saw each other at San Diego's R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility for the first time again.
Cano expressed happiness upon knowing that her nephews are together again, albeit in prison. She said she continues to pray for Erik and Lyle's freedom. She also stated her belief that her nephews are not criminals and that their actions stemmed from childhood trauma.
"The only help you can give them is prayer," she added, according to ABC.
