Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual assault which some readers may find distressing
Erik Menendez’s daughter, Talia, has issued a message to the public after receiving abuse about her relationship with her dad.
The Menendez brothers were convicted of the murders of their parents, Kitty and José Menendez, in Beverly Hills back in 1989 and are now serving life sentences without the possibility of parole.
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They maintain that the murders resulted from a lifetime of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse at the hands of their parents.
New evidence has now recently emerged that could support their sexual abuse claims and lead to retrial, something which Talia has previously spoken out about.
Talia is Erik's step-daughter after her mum and him became pen pals in 1993 before she moved them to California from Minnesota.
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The child visited Erik for the first time at Folsom State Prison aged just two-years-old in 1997.
She's since been advocating for his freedom on Instagram under the handle @seterikmenendezfree.
Just last week, Talia shared one of the many hateful messages she's received on social media which read: "I mean how can he help raise you from prison?
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"He's a step parent that isn't there to help raise you. He can't take you to drs, take care of you when you're sick, can support you financially, can't physically be there for you. Being a parent is more than just emotional support from prison. Just saying..."
Posting the message to her story on Instagram, Talia hit back: "Don't you think now that I'm an adult I would feel some type of resentment towards him if he wasn't in fact being a good father to me?
"I visited him 2 - 4 times a week since the age of 2. He would help me with my homework, speech, writing, we played board / card games, soccer, football, he would tell me funny stories, eat together etc. he has helped me through break ups and some of the toughest times of my life.
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"He was more of a father to me than most dads that are blessed with freedom. Although it may not seem understandable to you, he is a good father."
Talia continued to share with her 87k further hate messages thrown her way, before assuring fans with a written statement: "I've received an outpouring of love and support in my messages, and while I appreciate it deeply, I won't deny that the negative comments affect me a bit.
"I'm a kind hearted person and truly believe that what you put out into the world comes back to you."
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She admitted that she's 'not accustomed' to receiving 'such hurtful remarks' adding: "To many he may be 'Erik Menendez', but to me, he's simply my dad, and I grew up with the reality of having an incarcerated father.
"Thank you to everyone who stands by me and sends such thoughtful
messages, your support means everything to us."
In a follow-up story statement, Talia added: "The hate will not be tolerated on this page."
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivors Trust for free on 08088 010 818, available 10am-12.30pm, 1.30pm-3pm and 6pm-8pm Monday to Thursday, 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm on Fridays, 10am-12.30pm on Saturdays and 6pm-8pm on Sundays.
Topics: Crime, Menendez Brothers, True Crime, US News, Parenting
Rhiannon Ingle