TAMMI Saccoman married Erik Menendez 10 years into the life sentence he’s serving for killing his parents.
Here we get to know Tammi’s former husband Chuck Saccoman, who gave her permission to write to the infamous murderer.
Tammy Saccoman pictured at Folsom Prison on the day she married Eric Menendez, June 12, 1999[/caption]
Who is Chuck Saccoman?
Chuck Saccoman was Tammi‘s husband and lived with his wife and her teenage daughter from a previous relationship.
Not much is publicly known about his early life, background or profession.
However, his actions would ultimately have a profound impact on Tammi’s life and lead her to Erik Menendez.
Connection to Erik Menendez
In 1993, while still married to Chuck Saccoman, Tammi began following the highly publicized trial of the Menendez brothers.
She felt compassion for Erik Menendez and decided to write him a letter while he was incarcerated.
Interestingly, her former husband gave Tammi permission to contact the convicted killer.
As Tammi recalled in an interview with People: “I told [Chuck Saccoman] that I was going to write to Erik. He said to go ahead.”
Erik Menendez told the same publication: “I saw Tammi’s letter and I felt something.
“I received thousands of letters, but I set this one aside. I got a feeling.
“And I wrote her back. Tammi and I continued to correspond. I enjoyed writing to her.
“It was a slow friendship. It was special to me because it was not associated with the trial and the media.
“Tammi was someone not in the craziness.”
Alleged assault
In 1996, a series of horrific events unfolded that would change Tammi’s life forever.
She discovered that her husband had allegedly been sexually abusing her teenage daughter, starting when she was 15 years old.
Tammi’s love was a major step in my choosing life
Erik Menendez
Mr Saccoman turned himself in to the police, but just two days after confessing to the authorities he died by suicide.
At the time of his death, Saccoman and Tammi shared a nine-month-old daughter named Talia.
Profound impact
Saccoman’s death and the revelation of his alleged abuse had a profound impact on Tammi.
In her grief and turmoil, she reached out to Erik Menendez, who had been responding to her letters.
Tammi told People: “I reached out to Erik. He comforted me; our letters started taking on a more serious tone.”
Tammi Menendez pictured exiting her grooming business Snooty LaRue Pet Spa & Play in Henderson, Nevada on October 2, 2024[/caption]
Chuck’s passing occurred in June 1996, just a month before Lyle and Erik Menendez were sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Today, Tammi is known as Tammi Menendez, having married Erik in prison in 1999.
She has become an advocate for the Menendez brothers, co-parenting her daughter Talia with Erik and maintaining their relationship despite the challenges of his incarceration.
In 2005, Menendez told People: “Tammi’s love has propelled me to become a better person.
“I want to be the greatest possible husband to her. And this affects the choices I make every day in prison.
“Tammi has taught me how to be a good husband.”
He added: “Tammi’s love was a major step in my choosing life.
“Having someone who loves you unconditionally, who you can be completely open with, is good for anybody — to know that this person loves me as I am.”
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, chat on 988lifeline.org, or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
