‘I Got To Hug Both’: Monsters Star Cooper Koch Opens Up About Meeting Erik And Lyle Menendez During Prison Visit With Kim Kardashian

As an ardent fan who has delved deep into the intriguing world of true crime narratives, I must confess that my fascination knows no bounds when it comes to the enigmatic story of Erik and Lyle Menendez. The opportunity to meet these brothers, whom Cooper Koch graced with a visit at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility, was nothing short of a dream come true for me.


Following his portrayal of Erik Menendez in Ryan Murphy’s series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story”, Cooper Koch was granted a chance to meet the brothers at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility.

On September 21, 2024, when Koch encountered both Erik and Lyle at a facility close to San Diego, he shared some inspiring remarks with them.

Speaking with Variety, the actor mentioned that upon their initial encounter, he and Erik shared a prolonged gaze before warmly embracing one another. According to Koch, both Lyle and Erik are characterized as compassionate individuals.

“I got to hug both of them and just be in their presence,” Koch added. 

Cooper Koch expressed his opinion during the conversation, stating that due to their young ages at the time of the crime – 18 and 21 years old – the brothers should receive a fresh trial. He also noted that when the incident occurred, it was difficult for many to accept the notion of “male-on-male sexual abuse.” Regarding the brothers’ case specifically, he emphasized that it was their father who was involved, making the event even more shocking and hard to believe.

“The idea that they murdered their parents for the money is completely absurd, but it was more palatable for folks back then to accept such a narrative,” Koch stated.

Furthermore, he pointed out that with the elapse of 35 years, numerous instances of child sexual abuse and male-on-male sexual abuse have come to light around the globe.

Additionally, Koch conversed with Erik about his criticisms directed at the Netflix series, expressing empathy for his feelings and voicing his solidarity with the show’s creators.

According to Cooper Koch’s account, it was Kim Kardashian who extended an invitation for him to accompany her team to a prison. This group, which included Kim’s sister Khloé and mother Kris Jenner, visited the facility to discuss the topic of prison reform.

Additionally, Koch disclosed that the siblings have been making significant contributions to the penitentiary in various aspects. Notably, Erik conducts meditation workshops and speech lessons. Moreover, the duo is actively engaged in a project aimed at enhancing the prison’s outdoor spaces, which they refer to as the “Greenspace initiative.

1989 saw a notable event involving brothers Erik and Lyle. According to news outlets, these siblings were accused of using 12-gauge shotguns to murder their own parents.

According to Erik and Lyle, Jose and Kitty Menendez, their parents, were tragically murdered, a crime they claimed was in retaliation for years of suspected sexual misconduct.

1996 saw the conviction of these siblings for the cold-blooded murder of their parents, driven by avarice. The court handed down a sentence of life imprisonment with no chance of ever being released on parole.

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2024-09-27 14:27