Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s release from prison prompted social media users to question why the Menendez Brothers, who also claim parental abuse, are still serving life without parole.

Gypsy Rose wasreleased from prisonon parole on Thursday, December 28, after spending eight years behind bars for second-degree murder in connection with the death of her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard.

She was granted parole in September, with the Missouri Department of Corrections scheduling her release for December 28, three years before her release date.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard’s release from prison sparked questions about why the Menendez Brothers, who also claim parental abuse, are still serving life sentences

Two men in blue prison uniforms sitting in a courtroom, highlighting the Menendez Brothers' case.

Image credits:Ted Soqui/Sygma/Getty Images

Gypsy Rose and her then-boyfriend, Nicholas “Nick” Godejohn, conspired to kill her mom Dee Dee after the woman had subjected Gypsy Rose to painful and needless medical procedures for years,with somestill affectingGypsy Rose to this day.

One of the many forms of abuse Dee Dee inflicted on her daughter was forcing her to use painful feeding tubes, and making friends and family believe she had leukemia after shaving Gypsy Rose’s head. She would also trick doctors into diagnosing and treating different illnesses.

In a similar tragedy, Lyle and Erik Menendez murdered their parents after claiming years of sexual abuse.

Person in a prison uniform with an ID badge, discussing the Menendez Brothers' freedom.

Image credits:Dr. Phil

They were subsequently sentenced to life in prison without parole in the 1990s, sparking social media users to question why Gypsy Rose was released on parole, but the siblings, infamously dubbed the “Menendez Brothers”, didn’t get a shot at a second chance.

One TikToker said in a video: “So you mean to tell me that Gypsy Rose was released from prison but the Menendez Brothers had life without parole and they’re still in there?”

“Because from my knowledge, they were in there for the same reason,” the user added.

Gypsy Rose was released from prison on parole on December 28, after spending eight years behind bars for the second-degree murder of her mother

Person in costume with curly wig and tiara sitting in a themed restaurant.

Image credits:Dee Gyp Blancharde

Another social media user exclaimed: “You finally did right with Gypsy, release [the Menendez Brothers.] They were victims of so much!

“Their court case was so sad to watch them breaking down over and over again and people just thinking it was for money, it’s truly sickening to me.”

Another TikToker expressed in a video: “If Gypsy Rose can get out of prison, so should the Menendez Brothers.”

A separate individual chimed in: “They released Gypsy Rose, now it’s time to release the Menendez Brothers!”

Person in court testifying, wearing a blue sweater, representing Menendez brothers' freedom case.

Lyle and Erik gained infamy in the early 1990s for brutally murdering their wealthy parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home in 1989.

The brothers initially staged the crime scene to look like a random act of violence, but their lavish spending and questionable behavior raised suspicions.

The trial revealed a history of alleged abuse and dysfunctional family dynamics, leading to a sensationalized case that captivated the public.

In 1996, Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.

In a similar tragedy, Lyle and Erik Menendez murdered their parents after claiming years of sexual abuse

Man in a courtroom setting wearing a dark sweater, associated with Menendez Brothers' legal case.

“So you mean to tell me that Gypsy Rose was released from prison but the Menendez Brothers had life without parole and they’re still in there?” a TikToker said

Appearing on Rosie O’Donnell’s podcast “Onward”, Lyle recalled the time they were put on trial: “There was no internet. There was no contacting friends. There was no school counselor asking what’s going on at home.

“Nobody knew there was a problem with sex abuse with boys. Nobody asked those questions. There was just no cultural mechanism to believe or to understand what was going on,” Lyle said.

“If Gypsy Rose can get out of prison, so should the Menendez brothers,” another woman argued

At the time, the defense reportedly argued self-defense, saying the boys suffered from years of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of their father, Jose.

According to testimony, Jose was an emotionally distant and demanding father with a short temper who quickly turned to physical violence to discipline his sons. The brothers also alleged their mother, Kitty, was aware of the abuse but did nothing to stop it.

The Menendez brothers’ first trial ended in two hung juries and a mistrial.

But 34 years later, Lyle said the family feels hopeful as in May 2023, attorneys of the Menendez brothers reportedlyfiled a habeas petitioncitingnew evidencesupporting sexual abuse allegationsthat they hope will overturn their clients’ convictions and life sentences.

“It’s time to release the Menendez brothers,” a separate TikToker demanded

“The need to be recognized and believed for what happened to you is really powerful for healing. So, to go through a whole trial where there’s a whole prosecutor’s office trying to tell the public this is not true, don’t believe it… It’s a horrifying thing in itself,” Lyle said.

People claimed the siblings should’ve “never been to prison”

Comment stating “Mendez brothers should have NEVER been to prison,” showing support for their release.

Comment supporting Menendez Brothers' release, expressing relief.

Comment advocating for Menendez brothers' freedom with 2902 likes.

Comment on social media supporting Menendez Brothers' release: “Exactly I was thinking the same thing how was this fair”.

“Comment demands Menendez brothers' freedom, includes emoji and 1035 likes.

Comment expressing sympathy for the Menendez Brothers with 1951 likes.

Comment supporting freedom for Menendez Brothers with 309 likes.

Comment supporting Menendez Brothers' release, mentioning they “should be released”.

Comment supporting Menendez Brothers' release, expressing frustration over their imprisonment for self-defense.

Comment on Menendez Brothers case, stating differences in times and details, with 9209 likes.

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