What Led to Lyle Menendez’s Divorce With His First Wife Anna Erikkson?

When you think of Lyle Menendez, you probably picture him sitting in a prison cell for the infamous murders of his parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. What you might not picture is his romantic side—but surprise! He’s had not one, but two marriages while behind bars.

Yep! Menendez, a man serving a life sentence for killing his parents in 1989, has been in the spotlight for more than just his crime. His love life has had as many twists, and it’s definitely not your typical “meet-cute” story.

In fact, his first marriage was so unconventional that it could make even the most committed bachelor reconsider their dating habits. But like most relationships, it wasn’t meant to last. So what happened? Let’s dive into the details of his love life and what led to the end of his first marriage, before he found (and later lost) love again.

Who Was Lyle Menendez’s First Wife?

In case you missed it, Lyle Menendez’s first wife, Anna Eriksson, was no stranger to the spotlight. Born in Chicago, Eriksson had a whole career as a model—glamorous runway shows and designer clothes.

She worked with Lord & Taylor as a teen and later modeled in Europe during the ‘80s. So yeah, she was living the dream. But somehow, she got caught up in the whirlwind that was Lyle Menendez.

It all started with a letter. Eriksson wrote to Menendez during his trial—her message? “Hang tough,“ she told PEOPLE. It’s honestly, pretty sweet, considering what Menendez was going through at the time. That simple note sparked months of correspondence.

The pair connected in a deep way, despite never meeting in person. Eriksson was smitten, and Menendez seemed to feel the same. She even moved to Los Angeles to be closer to him. On July 2, 1996, right before the brothers were convicted for their parents’ murders, the two tied the knot.

But here’s where it gets interesting: Menendez was still behind bars, and the California Department of Corrections didn’t exactly approve of the way they got married. They called it a “non-legal” marriage because it was done over the phone.

Why Did Lyle Menendez Divorce Anna Eriksson?

Well, this is where things get messy. Menendez’s first marriage to Anna Eriksson didn’t even make it to the five-year mark. In fact, they officially called it quits on April 1, 2001—no, it wasn’t a joke, despite the timing. But the cause of their divorce?

It wasn’t his notorious criminal past or his life sentence behind bars. Nope, the real reason Eriksson pulled the plug was Menendez’s new relationship with another woman (via TODAY).

Yep, Menendez started seeing someone else while still married to Eriksson. Her name was Rebecca Sneed. According to reports, Eriksson found out about the affair, and that was the final straw. Not the easiest thing to digest.

The whole “prison love triangle” situation probably wasn’t what Erikkson signed up for when she first sent Menendez that note. She wanted love and connection, but instead, she got betrayal and heartbreak. So, she filed for divorce. Erikkson was done, and honestly, who could blame her? 

Who Did Lyle Menendez Marry After Divorcing Anna Eriksson?

Fast forward to November 20, 2003, and Menendez’s back on the marriage train. This time, he’s tying the knot with Rebecca Sneed—the same woman who caused his first marriage to implode. Well, they had been writing to each other for nearly a decade before they finally made it official.

Sneed was a former magazine editor turned defense attorney. She started as a supporter of Menendez and Erik’s case, which means she’s no stranger to the Menendez family drama. She and Menendez had a strong emotional connection for years before getting married, but their relationship wasn’t all hearts and roses. They tied the knot in a prison visiting room. 

Menendez described his marriage to Sneed as “healthy” despite the obvious challenges. He said it was all about communication—finding creative ways to connect when physical intimacy isn’t an option. During ABC’s Truth and Lies: The Menendez Brothers, he shared:

I’ve found I can have a healthy marriage that is complicated and built around conversation and finding creative ways to communicate, sharing, without all the props that are normally there in marriage in terms of going out to dinner and having as much intimate time together and so on.

Menendez even told PEOPLE that he and Sneed probably had more intimate conversations than most married couples. So, while they couldn’t go out for a casual dinner date or take a vacation, they made it work.

Is Lyle Menendez Still Married?

And now, the latest chapter in Menendez’s love life: divorce number two. According to a Facebook post from Rebecca Sneed on November 21, 2024, the couple had been separated “for a while,” but she stated that they were still best friends and family. 

They had been through a lot together, so this wasn’t some dramatic breakup. According to Sneed, it wasn’t a “cheating scandal,” which probably means there were no outside affairs involved.

Menendez, on the other hand, wasn’t too vocal about the split until he posted a heartfelt statement reflecting on their 20-year marriage. He called her belief in him a big part of what helped him grow into a better person. Still, despite all the love and gratitude, things had clearly changed between the couple.