Netflix, TikTok made the Menendez mansion into a true-crime landmark. Beverly Hills isn’t happy
As a curious observer, I find myself captivated by the intriguing mix of emotions that surround the Menendez mansion in Beverly Hills. On one hand, we have tourists who flock to this site like pilgrims visiting a sacred place, drawn by the allure of a sensational story that has transcended national borders. On the other hand, we have locals who carry with them a heavy burden of loss and grief, tinged with a sense of disbelief and sadness, as they walk past this infamous residence.
Initially, a car driver was seen gradually reducing their speed to a near stop, gesturing while passing by an ornate Spanish-architecture house, enveloped in elm foliage and shielded by a seclusion barrier.
Next, a gaggle of adolescent girls burst from a vehicle for photo-taking, which then halted motorcyclists out of curiosity regarding the commotion. Eventually, everyone found themselves wondering the same thing. (Paraphrased)
“Is that the right house?”
Over the past few weeks, the tranquility of the upscale Beverly Hills community has been disrupted by a surge of tourists and true crime enthusiasts flocking to catch a glimpse of the Menendez mansion on Elm Drive – notorious as the scene of the double murder committed by two brothers against their parents in 1989. The case has once again captured public interest following a Netflix series and documentary about their story, as well as L.A. County Dist. Atty. George Gascón’s announcement that he plans to reconsider their sentences based on new evidence suggesting they had been abused by their father. This fresh evidence might make them eligible for parole.
Over the past month, Beverly Hills authorities report that they’ve handled 18 incidents involving noise disturbances and trespasser issues near the mansion, as per their records.
As a resident on Elm Drive, I can’t help but notice the late-night activity – cars pulling up at all hours and sometimes even blocking our driveways. For my own safety due to the influx of recent visitors, I chose not to disclose my full name.
Now, she and her fellow neighbors have taken to contacting the local police and tow services to deal with the increased number of people. Previously, it was only the rare tour bus passing through their community, according to Mindy.
She explained, “I hadn’t realized before, but the grand house is right next door, having just moved here a few years back. Things have been rather peaceful here until the Netflix series debuted.
In September, Netflix unveiled its dramatization of the infamous Menendez brothers’ case titled “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” as part of their ongoing true crime series. A month later, they released a two-hour documentary featuring fresh interviews with the siblings entitled “The Menendez Brothers.” This scripted series and documentary have reintroduced the Menendez case to a new audience, who may remember their parents and grandparents being captivated by the first trial in 1993.
One innovative way to rephrase this passage is as follows: This groundbreaking televised trial sparked a fascination for a fresh American genre – true crime stories. The public was captivated by the saga of these two charming yet troubled young men, who appeared to have it all in terms of wealth and good looks. However, their lives took a tragic turn when they brutally killed their parents using shotguns.
The revitalized fame surrounding the house now serves as a rich source of viral material for TikTok creators, who record the mansion, recount grisly aspects of the crime scene for their online followers, or spark discussions about possible ghostly occurrences.
In this TikTok clip, which garnered over 2.5 million views, the caption reads: “This psychic stopped by at the Menendez residence. Is it you who perceives what I perceive?” The video then focuses in on an upstairs window, hinting at a shadow that could be Jose Menendez’s face.
Natasha Gardena, a surgical technician residing in Pomona, mentioned that some content creators are jumping over the fence on social media to snap pictures from the porch, aiming to recreate a photo of the brothers posed in front of the mansion.
25-year-old woman explored a mansion on Wednesday during her free time from work, captivated by her interest in true crime documentaries. She had previously visited Benedict Canyon in Beverly Hills, the site of the Manson murders. Watching the Netflix series about the brothers also stirred feelings of empathy towards their purported experiences of abuse at the hands of their father.
Gardena stated, “The system let them down.” She believes it was unjust that the trial primarily centered on the brothers’ extravagant spending following the murders, without giving due consideration to the sexual assault allegations. “If they were women, they would have been dismissed much earlier. However, since they are men, their claims of being sexually abused were not taken seriously at that time.
Despite no longer being the property of the Menendez family, having been purchased for $17 million in March and currently undergoing renovations which have left it empty, it seems that its allure remains both within our borders and overseas.
Recently on a midweek afternoon, it seemed like there was hardly a moment when people weren’t passing by the house, whether walking or driving. Among these passersby were travelers from France and South Africa, who paused to snap photos of the mansion’s grand facade and the address numbers on the driveway.
Fabrizio Serra, a 23-year-old tourist visiting Los Angeles, found the Menendez mansion intriguing. He expressed that it’s captivating to explore this location because it’s something he’s accustomed to seeing on screens, but now has the chance to experience it in reality.
For others, seeing the residence brings up a deep sense of personal loss and grief.
Rebecca Hecht, slightly older than Erik Menendez as they both attended Beverly Hills High School, resides approximately a mile from his former residence. On a recent afternoon, she strolled past the house with her labradoodle companion by her side.
“I just feel a very heavy presence being here,” Hecht said. “It feels very ominous on the street.”
In her words, it was Adam, her brother, who instructed Erik on playing tennis. Coincidentally, during the same summer when the murders took place, Adam himself vanished without a trace – an unsolved mystery to this day.
In 1989, Hecht tearfully expressed that she believed she had tragically lost three brothers of hers. To this day, she finds it hard to accept that a childhood friend of hers has been serving a long prison sentence. She empathizes with their experiences because she too grew up in the same town and shared a similar father figure. However, she asserts that the abuse they endured was much more severe than what she had experienced.
After fresh interest in the case, she eventually found the fortitude to view all parts of the Menendez trial online. Although she doesn’t approve of murder, she feels they might merit another opportunity due to the alleged mistreatment.
Hecht remarked that they behave exemplary within the prison system, surprisingly so, as it may even have improved their lives compared to before. This is likely why they prospered there.
As for the Netflix show, Hecht said it’s too personal to watch it.
As a movie buff, I’m hopeful that the spotlight cast by the media on this story has influenced both the general public and officials to support the two brothers’ cause.
She expressed that any form of public attention, positive or negative, can be beneficial. Currently, she perceives an intense wave of interest surrounding the topic, which she believes is driving towards their upcoming release.
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2024-10-29 13:33