Telling a true crime story can often be a topic of controversy, especially when the subjects are still alive, and Ryan Murphy’s latest series of Monster, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, has now found itself under harsh scrutiny from users across social media and, reportedly, one of the real-life Menendez brothers. A Twitter/X account which allegedly belongs to the wife of Erik Menendez, Tammi Menendez, has released a statement slamming the series’ approach to the childhood trauma that the Menendez brothers say they suffered at the hands of their parents, as well as the show depicting that the brothers were in an incestuous relationship.

The statement, which the account claims has been shared on behalf of Erik Menendez, reads, in part:

“I believed we had moved beyond the lies and ruinous character portrayals of Lyle, creating a caricature of Lyle rooted in horrible and blatant lies rampant in the show. I can only believe they were done so on purpose. It is with a heavy heart that I say, I believe Jonathan Fuge Ryan Murphy cannot be this naive and inaccurate about the facts of our lives so as to do this without bad intent.
It is sad for me to know that Netflix’s dishonest portrayal of the tragedies surrounding our crime have taken the painful truths several steps backward – back through time to an era when the prosecution built a narrative on a belief system that males were not sexually abused, and that males experienced rape trauma differently than women.”

The statement goes on to accuse Murphy and the show of shaping “his horrible narrative through vile and appalling character portrayals of Lyle and of me and disheartening slander.” The statement concludes, “To all those who have reached out and supported me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” You can read the full statement here via @TammiMenendez1.

Viewers Blast the Series as Inaccurate, Disrespectful & Trash

Audiences have since taken to social media to share their reactions over the twisted portrayal of the Menendez brothers, who were convicted in 1996 of the murders of their parents, José and Mary Louise “Kitty” Menéndez.

“i hope there’s a way for the menendez brothers to sue the hell out of ryan murphy’s ass. how are you gonna tell our story and make it as if my brother and i were in a relationship when you already know that OUR FATHER abused us for years that’s why we’re serving life in prison???” says @llethargicc, while user @mobscene971 adds, “Honestly the show is inaccurate, disrespectful and trash. I’m so sick of Netflix’s gay baits. Ryan Murphy should be ashamed of himself.”

Many have taken issue with Murphy’s obvious embellishment of the facts of the case, with the addition of incest being perceived as nothing more than cheap shock value typical of a lot of Ryan Murphy’s work. “The Menendez brothers were victims of sexual abuse who finally retaliated against their abusers and this disgusting piece of trash has turned their story into an incestuous fanfic. Hell is not hot enough for Ryan Murphy,” says X user @Chungiiie, who has clearly had enough of Ryan Murphy.

Starring Javier Bardem as José Menendez, Chloë Sevigny as Mary Louise “Kitty” Menendez, Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez, Nicholas Alexander Chavez as Lyle Menendez, Nathan Lane as Dominick Dunne, and Ari Graynor as Leslie Abramson, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story dives into the historic case that took the world by storm when, on August 20, 1989, José and Kitty Menendez were brutally murdered in their Beverly Hills home.

Netflix has yet to respond to the comments and accusations.