Brother ofMonstersStar Cooper Koch Says He 'Cares Immensely' for Victims amid Backlash Over Menendez Brothers Series

Mar. 15, 2025

Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez in ‘Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story’.Photo:Courtesy Of Netflix

Courtesy Of Netflix

Cooper Koch playsErik MenendezinRyan Murphy’s latest installment of theMonstersanthology series, and now, the actor’s brother is speaking out amid backlash to the show.

On Sept. 19, Cooper’s brother Payton shared a carousel ofphotoson Instagram from the set ofMonsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story— in which Cooper stars as Erik andNicholas Alexander Chavezplays Lyle — as he wrote that he’s “never felt more proud” of his brother than after seeing him take on the role of Erik.

One person referencedErik’s statement about the series — which he said was full of “blatant lies”— which prompted Payton to respond.

“I won’t speak for Cooper but I will say that he cares immensely for the boys and stands with them and all victims of abuse,” Payton wrote in a comment on Sept. 20.

Brad Culver as Gerald Chaleff, Nicholas Chavez as Lyle Menendez, Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez in ‘Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story’.Miles Crist/Netflix

Miles Crist/Netflix

“He did everything he could to ensure their stories of abuse were seen on screen and I think in episode 5, it is abundantly clear where he stands,” Payton continued of the series, which seesJavier BardemandChloë Sevignyplay the brothers' slain parents José and Kitty.

Payton, who is a film editor who has worked onOnly Murders in the Building, added that actors are “only vessels for the writers/producers of the show. Any true story portrayal is going to be tough, but please trust me when I say he does care about them and their story ❤️‍🩹.”

They were tried three separate times following the murders before they were convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in 1996 and sentenced to life in prison. They both remain at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego.

Lyle (left) and Erik Menendez sit in Beverly Hills Municipal Court where their attorneys delayed making pleas on behalf of the brothers who are suspected in the murders of their millionaire parents, Jose and Mary Louise (Kitty) Menendez, in Beverly Hills, Calif., last Aug., March 12, 1990.AP Photo/Nick Ut

AP Photo/Nick Ut

In 2017, Lyle spoke to PEOPLE about the trial in a rare interview from prison ashe called the murders “the most astounding and regrettable thing that has happened in my life.”

Regarding his and Erik’s allegations of sexual abuse, Lyle said, “There’s always going to be skepticism. People think I just hopped up on the witness stand and told a story that a sleazy defense attorney made up. But many people knew there was sexual abuse in this family.”

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Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Storyis now streaming on Netflix.

source: people.com