Menendez Brothers’ Uncle Milton Andersen Dies, Leaving a Mixed Legacy
In a twist of fate that seems almost scripted for a true crime miniseries, Milton Andersen, the uncle of notorious Menendez brothers Lyle and Erik, has died at the age of 81, succumbing to cancer. This familial tension is rooted in the tragic murders of the brothers’ parents, Kitty and Jose Menendez, in 1989, a case that continues to grip the public’s imagination decades later. Andersen’s passing marks the end of vocal opposition within the Menendez family to the brothers’ potential release from prison, a topic that has sparked heated debate across the nation.
Anamaria Baralt, Milton’s cousin and a recent advocate for Lyle and Erik’s release, confirmed the news via TikTok, urging against celebrating his death. Despite his staunch opposition to the brothers, she expressed empathy towards him, recognizing the complexity of familial loyalties entwined with a history rife with tragedy. As reported by multiple sources including CNN, while the majority of the family has attributed the brothers’ actions to years of sexual abuse at the hands of their father, Milton maintained that their motivations were rooted in greed. His beliefs were further echoed during the brothers’ 1996 murder trial, where he and his late brother Brian testified against them during the death penalty phase.
Currently, Lyle and Erik Menendez are serving life sentences without the possibility of parole, but a resentencing hearing is on the horizon. However, California Governor Gavin Newsom has intervened, calling for a risk assessment investigation by the state’s Board of Parole Hearings, a process that could delay proceedings for several months. This bureaucratic pause leaves the Menendez family in a limbo of sorts, with no other relatives publicly opposing the brothers’ potential release, now that Milton has passed away.
Milton Andersen, a U.S. Army veteran who dedicated 26 years of his life to service, will be honored with a public viewing on Monday. He leaves behind a substantial family legacy, including three children, a wife, 18 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. As the Menendez saga continues to unfold, the passing of Milton Andersen adds another layer of complexity to a story that refuses to die.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and CNN, People Magazine, The Independent
Image Credit: Title: Untitled, Author: No author info, License: [‘cc_attribute’, ‘cc_nonderived’, ‘cc_publicdomain’]
