Cooper Koch, the actor who recently portrayed Erik Menendez in the controversial Monsters series has made a shocking admission about the infamous brothers' case.
Koch, 28, has been very vocal about his involvement in the Netflix nine-parter after it received a heap of criticism, namely due to its 'incest' storyline and the various inaccuracies covering the true crime case.
While show creator, Ryan Murphy, has fiercely defended the series and even said the Menendez brothers 'should be sending him flowers' in a bold statement, Koch seems to have taken a totally different approach entirely.
Speaking to Vanity Fair last week (10 October) about Erik and Lyle, who are currently serving life sentences without the possibility of parole and claim that the 1989 murders of their parents stemmed out of fear from a lifetime of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, "I believe both of them." Koch told the outlet.
Advert
"I believe everything that they said on the stand to be true."
His co-star, Nicholas Alexander Chavez who played Lyle, however, appears to have a more hesitant view on the matter.
"I came to a really unique conclusion, but I’ve also come to the conclusion that I don’t really want to share what that is with anyone, and that I really want to keep that part of my artistry and my interpretation to myself," he explained.
Advert
Koch, who visited Erik in prison alongside Kim Kardashian, said he 'seemed okay', adding: "The first thing he said was, 'I’ve heard nothing but great things about you and about episode five, and that you’re going to win an Emmy. And I hope that you do'.
"He was very, very sweet about that, and he said he would watch it eventually. He needs to take his time."
Sympathising with the brothers and why Erik critiqued the Monsters series, Koch continued: "It makes sense that he would feel that way..
"This is the worst part of his life being televised for millions of people to see, and not to mention in this dramatised, fictionalised, Hollywood TV way. I get how he feels, and I stand by him."
Advert
Koch ended the trip by giving both Erik and Lyle a hug, recalling: "I got to give them a hug and look them in the eyes and just tell them that I believe them and I stand with them, and I’ll do everything I can to advocate for them."
Opening up about how he feels with the public reception of the series, the actor assured: "I feel really calm.
"And I know where I stand. I know what my point of view is, and that point of view aligns with all of the people on TikTok who support them.
Advert
"I know that I did everything that I could to support them and advocate for them in my performance, and portray them as authentically as possible. And if people are criticising it, I know that I did everything I could."
Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story is currently available to stream on Netflix.
Topics: Netflix, Menendez Brothers, True Crime, US News, TV And Film, Celebrity
Rhiannon Ingle