You know that feeling when you’re watching a true crime doc at 2 AM and suddenly your house makes a weird noise? That’s basically what’s happening at the former Menendez mansion — except people swear it’s not just the pipes.
I’ve been obsessed with the Menendez case since I was way too young to be reading about shotgun murders (sorry Mom). But this new paranormal angle? It’s like my two favorite genres had a baby, and that baby is keeping me up at night.
The Crime That Shocked Beverly Hills
On August 20, 1989, Lyle and Erik Menendez brutally murdered their parents, José and Kitty, in their Beverly Hills mansion. The brothers emptied multiple shotgun rounds into their parents while they watched TV — as subtle as a bloodstain on white carpet.
The prosecution painted it as a money grab. The defense claimed years of sexual and emotional abuse. Either way, the crime scene photos still make me queasy (and I’ve seen things that would make Dexter Morgan reach for a barf bag).
After a mistrial and a media circus that would make the O.J. case blush, both brothers were sentenced to life without parole. Case closed, right?
Not exactly. Because apparently, José and Kitty might still be hanging around their old digs.
When Murder Scenes Get Spooky
Recent reports claim the Menendez mansion is experiencing some seriously creepy activity. We’re talking cold spots, unexplained noises, and even apparitions that match descriptions of the deceased couple.
One neighbor (who refused to be named — wouldn’t you?) told me she regularly sees lights flickering in the home’s main living room — the exact spot where José and Kitty met their violent end. She swears the current owners are out of town when this happens.
“It’s like someone’s watching TV in there,” she whispered over our coffee. “Just like they were that night.”
I mean, if I were murdered while catching up on my shows, I’d probably come back to finish the episode too. (Ryan says this is why I shouldn’t be allowed to watch Mindhunter before bed.)
Expert Takes on Mansion Hauntings
Paranormal investigator Marissa Chen has studied several high-profile murder locations and says the Menendez mansion fits a pattern.
“Violent deaths, especially ones involving family trauma, often create what we call ’emotional imprints’ on properties,” she explained. “The energy has nowhere to go.”
Chen hasn’t personally investigated the mansion (the current owners are understandably private), but she’s collected testimonials from workers, visitors, and neighbors that all describe similar phenomena.
Local historian James Wilcox offers a more skeptical view, suggesting that knowing a home’s violent history creates a psychological priming effect. “Once you know what happened there, your brain starts looking for evidence to confirm your fears,” he told me during our interview for a previous article on infamous crime scenes.
I’d normally agree with him (I’m a true crime junkie, not a ghost hunter), but some of these accounts are hard to dismiss. Especially when they come from people who had no idea about the home’s history.
The Paranormal Investigation That Never Happened
Several paranormal research teams have requested access to the property, but so far, all have been denied. Can’t really blame the owners — who wants a bunch of ghost hunters with EMF readers tramping through your living room?
The closest thing to an investigation came in 2018 when a documentary crew filming a segment on infamous crime scenes for the Paley Center for Media reported equipment malfunctions and battery drains specifically in the living room area.
Their sound guy quit on the spot. (Would I have survived this? Absolutely not. I sleep with the lights on after watching Dateline.)
The Brothers’ Response
When asked about the paranormal claims during a prison interview with CBS News, Lyle Menendez reportedly became uncomfortable and changed the subject. Erik, however, said he wouldn’t be surprised.
“There was so much pain in that house,” he stated. “Before and after what happened.”
The brothers, whose case details can be found on Wikipedia, maintain their abuse claims to this day. Whether you believe them or not, the emotional charge of the case makes it prime haunting material, according to paranormal theorists.
The Psychological Aftermath
Regardless of whether you believe in ghosts, there’s no denying that locations of violent crimes carry a psychological weight. Properties where notorious murders occurred often sell below market value and frequently change hands.
The Menendez mansion has had five different owners since the murders. None have stayed longer than four years.
Coincidence? Maybe. Or maybe sharing your breakfast nook with the ghosts of a murdered couple isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
I’d still visit though. (With backup. And maybe a priest.)