Monsters star Cooper Koch says Erik Menendez is ‘so excited’ after resentencing hearing

Cooper Koch has revealed that he spoke to Erik Menendez following the convicted murderer’s resentencing hearing.

Erik and his brother Lyle were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being convicted of the 1989 murder of their parents, José and Kitty, at their Beverly Hills mansion.

However, last week, a judge in Los Angeles shortened their sentences to 50 years to life – with the possibility of parole – giving them a shot at freedom after 35 years behind bars.

Now, Koch, who played Erik in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, has spoken about the reduced sentences. The gay star told Variety he was “so happy”, and described judge Michael Jesic as amazing. 

“I’m so grateful that that happened and so is Erik, I spoke to him yesterday and he is so excited,” Koch said.

‘That is so beautiful’

“The most inspiring” thing Koch took from the conversation was how “passionate” Erik was about his future. “He wants to start a lot of change in the prison system. He is going to be an advocate for people [serving life without parole]. 

“His life is going to surround making change in the prison system, and I think that is so beautiful.”

Cooper Koch on the Menendez brothers’ resentencing: “I actually spoke to Erik yesterday.” pic.twitter.com/1jUpNVePhD

— Variety (@Variety) May 21, 2025

During their time behind bars, the brothers have served as mentors and care-givers and earned college degrees. Former Los Angeles county district attorney George Gascón had recommended resentencing the brothers in the light of new evidence backing their original claim to have been abused by their father.

However, Gascón’s successor, Nathan Hochman, opposed the move.

Renewed interest in the case was sparked by Netflix’s dramatisation of the murders, but it was labelled a “naive and inaccurate” portrayal of the brothers by Erik, while some viewers accused Murphy of creating “incestuous fetish porn”.

Neither brother has ever identified as gay, despite perceived innuendo in the series.

Murphy credited himself for the renewed media attention, which led to Kim Kardashian and Koch visiting the jailbird brothers, who earlier this year claimed they had been bullied and assaulted at the Richard J Donovan Correctional Facility, in San Diego.

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