The Menendez Brothers Have Been In Jail For Years

In 1989, Lyle and Erik Menendez shocked the country when they murdered their wealthy parents in their Beverly Hills home. The young brothers seemed to have it all, a full life ahead of them — the case has always intrigued people. Some are still so enthralled with the mysterious case that ABC is airing a new Menendez documentary, Truth and Lies: The Menendez Brothers, on Thursday, Jan.5. But, it's been many years since the crime and time has passed, so you may be wondering how old were the Menendez brothers when they murdered their parents?

On August 20, 1989, nearly three decades ago, Lyle and Erik Menendez killed their mother, Kitty, and father, Jose. According to ABC News, Lyle was 21 at the time of the murder and Erik was only 18. After their conviction in 1996, the brothers were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. They have now spent most of their lives in prison, 26 years to be exact. Lyle turns 49 this month and Erik is 46 years old. And, the brothers have not seen each other in years, since they were sentenced to separate prisons in 1996. Their last joint appearance was that year when Barbara Walters interviewed them for a 20/20, according to ABC.

The new ABC documentary will air footage from the Barbara Walters interview, the trial, new interviews, and even a new phone call with Lyle Menendez — so viewers can catch up with the brothers all these years later.