ERIK Menendez’s wife has been seen for the first time in years as new evidence could see him and his brother released from jail more than three decades after they murdered their parents.
Tammi Saccoman has been married to the convicted killer since June 1999, after she wrote to him in prison and ignored fierce criticism over their relationship.
Erik and Lyle killed their parents, Kitty and Jose Menendez, at point-blank range with shotguns in their Los Angeles home on August 20, 1989.
They alleged they were abused by their father and that their mother turned a blind eye, but were convicted of murder and sentenced to life behind bars.
In a bombshell twist, a note that Erik sent to his cousin Andy Cano – eight months before Jose and Kitty were killed – could now set him and his brother free.
He wrote in the letter that he lived in constant fear of his father coming into his bedroom at night.
“It’s still happening, Andy, but it’s worse for me now,” he claimed.
Despite being locked up, both brothers married, and Tammi has stood by her man for many years, even though they are not allowed conjugal visits.
The U.S. Sun obtained exclusive images of Erik’s wife in Henderson, Nevada, more than 300 miles from RJ Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, California, where Lyle and Erik are serving time.
It is not known how often Tammi, 62, visits her husband at the jail, but she continues to support him as the brothers fight to be released.
BID FOR FREEDOM
The U.S. Sun understands Tammi runs a dog grooming business nearby and generally keeps a low profile.
In the new photographs, she can be seen with long blonde hair tied in a side ponytail with a pink scrunchie leaving the back exit of the shop.
Tammi wore a work uniform, with a maroon vest featuring a dog paw print and a pair of dark cargo pants with white sneakers.
She opted for a pair of dark shades and was seen carrying her cell phone and a handbag as she headed to her new red Tesla.
She recently shared a statement from Erik about the new Netflix series, Monsters, in which he hit out at the show’s producer and the way the brothers were portrayed.
He wrote, “It is with a heavy heart that I say, I believe Ryan Murphy cannot be this naive and inaccurate about the facts of our lives so as to do this without bad intent.”
Tammi has also launched a Discord channel called ‘The Menendez Hideaway’ in which Erik can communicate with his supporters with audio messages and live calls from prison.
A message written by the admin reads, “This forum was created in response to the negativity and painful toxicity often found in public forums and social media regarding Erik and Lyle.
“Once you subscribe you’ll gain access to exclusive chatrooms, audio messages from Erik, interact with Erik when he calls in, and get all the latest official news about Erik and Lyle.
“This Discord serves as a reliable source for facts about the case, providing exclusive insights about Erik that can’t be found elsewhere.
“The primary goal is to support Erik and Lyle and to continue advocating for their freedom.
“Proceeds from this Discord will contribute to Erik’s ongoing legal battle for freedom and help provide support while he remains incarcerated.”
The Netflix show implied that Erik was struggling with his sexuality after his dad’s alleged abuse and an alleged relationship with another boy before his parent’s deaths.
Scenes also show his character, played by Cooper Koch, flirting with another inmate and showering at the same time as him.
But in a 1996 interview with Barbara Walters, Erik insisted he isn’t gay.
He said, “No, the prosecutor brought that up because I was sexually molested, and he felt that if I was sodomized by my father, I must have enjoyed it, and therefore, I must be gay.”
Erik married Tammi Ruth Saccoman on June 12, 1999, in the waiting room at Folsom State Prison, with a twinkie as their wedding cake.
Tammi faced a lot of criticism but has always defended the killer, even writing a book in 2005, They Said We’d Never Make It.
Erik Menendez's letter to his cousin
A letter Erik Menendez reportedly wrote to his cousin about his dad's alleged abuse has sparked a review of the case that could set him and his brother free from jail. The letter reads in full:
“I’ve been trying to avoid dad. It’s still happening, Andy, but it’s worse for me now. I can’t explain it. He so overweight that I can’t stand to see him.
I never know when it’s going to happen and it’s driving me crazy. Every night I stay up thinking he might come in.
I need to put it out of my mind. I know what you said before but I’m afraid. You just don’t know dad like I do. He’s crazy!
He’s warned me a hundred times about telling anyone, especially Lyle.”
In an interview with NBC to promote the book, she admitted she has questioned herself over the years but called Erik her “best friend.”
She said, “Everybody questions me. You know, is she crazy? Is she nuts? You know I get all that and so it has been a very emotional experience.
“The only one that supports me is my mother, and his family is supportive. But other than that, it is very difficult…”
Talking about how she copes with dating a convicted killer, she added, “It troubles me, but I do know the person that Erik is, and I know his heart, I know his soul, and I do know what happened that night.
“And I do understand. I believe that within everybody put in certain circumstances, you will, you know, be able to kill somebody.
“I mean I do believe that Erik is a very good person. And you know now we‘re speaking out to try to you know get that out in the public, so…”
Tammi and Erik could finally enjoy their marriage like a regular couple if he is released, as stars, including Kim Kardashian, are campaigning for the brothers’ release.
Timeline of the Menendez brothers case
Erik and Lyle Menendez are serving life sentences in prison after being found guilty of shooting their parents to death over 30 years ago.
August 20, 1989 – José and Kitty Menendez are shot to death
March 8, 1990 – Lyle is arrested for the murders
March 11, 1990 – Erik turns himself in
July 20, 1993 – Highly publicized trial begins and ends weeks later in a mistrial
October 11, 1995 – Second trial begins
March 20, 1996 – Menendez brothers are convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder
July 2, 1996 – Menendez brothers are sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole and sent to separate prisons
February 2018 – Lyle is transferred to the San Diego prison where Erik is held
April 4, 2018 – Erik and Lyle are reunited
May 2023 – Attorney representing the Menendez brothers files a habeas petition
September 19, 2024 – Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story comes out on Netflix
October 3, 2024: Los Angeles authorities reviewing new evidence in connection with the brothers’ convictions
On Thursday, October 3, the District Attorney held a press conference to announce that they would be reviewing new evidence in the case.
Tammi posted on X, “We truly value the support we’ve received following the District Attorney’s statement.
“We hold onto hope that this November will bring the resolution we have all been wishing for. We would deeply appreciate your ongoing prayers as we await their official response.”
The sexual assault allegations were examined during the first trial in 1993, but jurors were split over whether the brothers should be convicted of murder or manslaughter, and it ended in a mistrial.
Lyle alleged he was sexually abused by their father from the age of six, while Erik alleged the abuse never ended.
In October 1995, a second trial was held in which prosecutors claimed they lied about the alleged abuse.
The previous evidence linked to the abuse claims was also not allowed at the second trial.
Both were found guilty on charges of first-degree murder.
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