True story behind Menendez brothers and O.J Simpson's connection after Netflix viewers were left puzzled by scene

Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault which some readers may find distressing

One of the most hotly-debated - and downright bizarre - moments from Netflix's Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story has left fans baffled as to whether Erik Menendez really did know O.J. Simpson.

Finally, we can uncover the truth of the matter...

Who are the Menendez brothers?

As the series recounts, Beverly Hills brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez brutally murdered their parents José and Mary Louise 'Kitty' with a shotgun at close range at their Los Angeles home back in 1984.

The pair claimed they had been subjected to years of emotional, physical and sexual abuse at the hands of their father, all while their mother knew and did nothing.

After confessing the crime to his therapist, Erik and his older brother Lyle - 18 and 21 at the time - were arrested, with their televised court case going on to become a national sensation.

The Netflix series

The duo were subsequently sentenced to life in prison without parole, unaware that over 30 years later, their case would inspire one of the most controversial television crime dramas of all time.

The real-life Erik and Lyle Menendez have publicly condemned both Netflix and the series' creator Ryan Murphy for including 'blatant lies' in their portrayal.

The real-life brothers were sentenced in 1994 (Ted Soqui/Sygma via Getty Images)

And, as we say, one of the most controversial moments from the show saw former sportsman O.J Simpson rock up to the prison where Erik was being held while awaiting trial, before the two begin catching up through the cell walls.

O. J. in the show

While Simpson is never actually shown, his voice could be heard during a conversation with the younger of the Menendez siblings, where he even appears to give him legal advice.

In the scene, when Erik seemingly compares their two cases - with Simpson having been arrested on suspicion of the murder of estranged wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman - the athlete bites back: "I tell you what, I'm not going to be in here long, 'cos I didn't f**king do it, you know? Nicole hit me.

"Do you hear what they're saying out there about me?"

Following the series' release - amongst countless other questions that spectators have about the real crime and subsequent court case - is whether Erik really did meet Simpson behind bars, or whether both high-profile families actually knew each other before the Menendez murders.

Simpson awaited trial in the same prison as Erik Menendez (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

"Wait you’re telling me the Menendez brothers and O.J. Simpson actually really were friends with each other in prison?! lmao," one penned on social media this week.

Another added: "Not O.J. Simpson in jail with the Menendez brothers in this Netflix series".

"Not they tried to throw O.J. Simpson in this Menendez brothers show real quick," a third confused fan continued.

"So O.J. Simpson was in the cell next to the one of the Menendez brothers? Wow," another added.

The truth

It turns out that the Menendez family and the Simpson family actually do go way back.

Not only did Erik meet Simpson in prison - later describing him to press as a 'upbeat, charming person' - but their father and Simpson actually worked together.

José and OJ Simpson both worked for Hertz rental cars (ABC)

Prior to his death, José Menendez worked as an executive for the car rental company Hertz, whilst Simpson was actually an ambassador for the brand.

The former once invited the latter to his home to meet his sons.

"O.J. Simpson came over to our house several times," Lyle told People in 2017. "I certainly never thought that we’d be later meeting in prison, facing murder charges."

And reflecting on Simpson's time behind bars, the real Erik Menendez told author Robert Rand that he was 'treated like royalty'.

"Everyone was in awe of him. Everyone wanted to talk to him."

The pair also believe that Simpsons' not-guilty verdict had an impact on their own sentencing.

"O.J.’s verdict had a very negative effect on our case," Erik added.

Speaking in the true crime documentary The Menendez Murders: Erik Tells All, he went on: "There was this sense that an extreme injustice had happened.

"And now we’re gonna have to right it with every defendant that comes up. We were the next defendant.”