Rosie O’Donnell has revealed an unexpected and deeply personal connection with convicted killer Lyle Menendez, sharing details of their evolving relationship in a recent interview with *The New York Times*.
Lyle Menendez, along with his brother Erik, are serving life sentences without the possibility of parole for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Mary “Kitty” Menendez. The brothers were convicted in 1996, maintaining that they acted in self-defense after enduring years of alleged abuse and molestation at the hands of their parents.
O’Donnell’s involvement with the case dates back to the initial trial nearly three decades ago. She publicly voiced her support for the Menendez brothers during a 1996 appearance on “Larry King Live,” believing in their defense. Following this, Lyle sent her a letter expressing gratitude and asserting that she intuitively understood the truth of his situation. O’Donnell admitted she didn’t respond at the time, citing personal reasons and a reluctance to delve into painful family history within herself.
“At that point, I had not ventured anywhere near this in my family or in my therapy,” she explained.
The connection was rekindled years later after O’Donnell viewed a documentary highlighting new evidence supporting the brothers’ claims. She subsequently defended them on TikTok, prompting Lyle’s wife, Rebecca Sneed, to reach out and facilitate communication between her and Lyle.
“He started calling me on a regular basis from the tablet phone thing they have,” O’Donnell stated. “He would tell me about his life, what he’s been doing in prison and, for the first time in my life, I felt safe enough to trust and be vulnerable and love a straight man.”
Their conversations, initially lasting several hours, blossomed into a consistent correspondence. While acknowledging concerns from some friends regarding this unusual relationship – “Ro, he’s a murderer” – O’Donnell remained steadfast, choosing to visit Lyle in prison herself.
During that visit, she learned about a unique rehabilitation program within the correctional facility where Lyle and his fellow inmates train dogs for placement with blind veterans, disabled individuals, and children diagnosed with autism. Inspired by this initiative, O’Donnell decided to participate, seeking a companion for her 12-year-old son, Clay, who is autistic.
She dedicated two weeks to daily commutes to the prison, eventually bringing home Kuma, a Labrador mix trained by an inmate convicted of armed robbery. “I noticed the difference in Clay immediately,” she said. “I was shocked to find out that all the stories I heard from other mothers of autistic children were true.”
This experience prompted O’Donnell to document the program’s impact, resulting in a forthcoming documentary entitled “Unleashing Hope: The Power of Service Dogs for Autism,” scheduled to premiere on Hulu on April 22nd.
- The Menendez brothers are serving life sentences without parole for their parents’ murders.
- Rosie O’Donnell publicly supported the brothers during their trial in 1996.
- O’Donnell’s own experiences with family abuse contributed to her belief in the brothers’ defense.
- She reconnected with Lyle Menendez after viewing a documentary and learned about a prison dog training program.
- The program provides service dogs for veterans, disabled individuals, and children with autism.
- O’Donnell obtained Kuma, a Labrador mix trained by an inmate, for her autistic son Clay.
- She is producing “Unleashing Hope: The Power of Service Dogs for Autism,” which will debut on Hulu April 22nd.
“I was shocked to find out that all the stories I heard from other mothers of autistic children were true,” O’Donnell stated, highlighting the profound impact of the program and her involvement.
