Did Lyle Menendez Wear a Hairpiece in Netflix’s New ‘Monsters’ Series?

Netflix’s limited series, “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” has sparked renewed interest in the infamous case and trial that captivated the public during the 1990s.

This fictionalized account recounts the tragic murders of José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, committed by their sons Lyle and Erik Menendez in August 1989. This series marks the second chapter of Ryan Murphy’s “Monsters” anthology, following the success of “Monster: The Jeffery Dahmer Story,” which debuted in 2022.

The narrative revolves around the lives of Lyle Menendez and Erik Menendez, portrayed by Alexander Chavez and Cooper Koch, as they navigate the events leading up to the murders and their subsequent trial. The intricate layers of this case have given rise to years of speculation, debates, and controversy, solidifying it as a significant example in the true crime genre.

Creators, including co-creator Ryan Murphy, have faced criticism regarding perceived inaccuracies in the series, with members of the Menendez family openly calling it “full of lies.” This ongoing discourse has drawn viewer interest to separate fact from fiction.

One key area of interest concerns Lyle Menendez’s alleged hair loss and the use of hairpieces. Viewers are left wondering what is fact and what is fictionalized. Here’s what has come to light.

In a pivotal scene from “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” the action unfolds around the dinner table. In this moment, a 20-year-old Lyle expresses his desire to marry his girlfriend, leading to a heated discussion with his parents about his readiness for marriage.

As Lyle argues that his parents, José Menendez (played by Javier Bardem) and Kitty (Chloë Sevigny), married at the same age, Kitty reacts by ripping off his hairpiece in a fit of frustration, exposing an almost entirely bald head beneath it. Mortified, Lyle retreats to the guesthouse to reattach his hairpiece, with Erik following closely behind. This interaction eventually leads the brothers to share their experiences of abuse inflicted by their father and promises of mutual support.

This scene is depicted as one of the key turning points leading to the eventual murders.

In terms of factual accuracy, Lyle Menendez did, in fact, wear hairpieces, a detail he acknowledged during his court testimony. He recounted an altercation with his mother just days before the tragic events took place, mentioning that the argument at one point centered around his hairpiece.

During cross-examination, he described his mother as “out of control, flailing her arms and screaming.” He recalled, “She reached and she grabbed my hairpiece and she just ripped it off.” Lyle explained how he wore the hairpiece, detailing that it was attached using a solvent glue on his skin. The removal was painful, as it required a special chemical for safe detachment.

Lyle revealed that he started losing hair around age 14, with his father being the one to recommend wearing a toupee. Reports and the book “The Menendez Murders” by Robert Rand indicate that Lyle had grown increasingly obsessed with his hair loss, with his father stressing the importance of a full head of hair for future success.

Additionally, Lyle was said to shave the top of his head to attach the toupee properly, which had a reported cost of up to $1,450, equivalent to more than $3,000 today. It is said that he owned several high-quality pieces, but hairpieces are not permitted in jail. Recent mugshots have shown Lyle with a completely bald head, as he couldn’t wear the pieces while incarcerated, although he was allowed to during court appearances.

The series depicts him as nearly entirely bald during this time in his life, yet witnesses’ testimonies and “The Menendez Murders” suggest that he was likely dealing with thinning hair rather than complete baldness.

The significance of the hairpiece incident is debated. For some, it is viewed as a possible “final straw” that led to the murders of José and Kitty Menendez.

According to testimony from the brothers and details in “The Menendez Murders,” Erik followed Lyle to the guesthouse where he sought to reattach the toupee after the confrontation with their mother. In that private space, the brothers shared their burdens, with Erik disclosing the sexual abuse inflicted by their father—a claim both brothers lodged against José in court. They also discussed plans for Erik to live with Lyle when he began school at Princeton.

The allegations of abuse were central to their defense during the trial, yet both brothers were ultimately convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy, receiving sentences of life without parole.

Source: USA TODAY