Rosie O’Donnell has unveiled a unique bond she has formed with Lyle Menendez, a convicted killer currently serving a life sentence for murdering his parents. In a recent interview with the New York Times, O’Donnell outlined the nature of their relationship and how it has evolved over time.

The Background of the Menendez Case

In 1996, Lyle Menendez, accompanied by his brother Erik, was convicted for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Mary “Kitty” Menendez. The trial highlighted claims of lifelong abuse suffered by the brothers, with their defense arguing that they acted in self-defense. Since the sentencing, both have been serving their sentences in San Diego.

A Connection Forged Through Communication

O’Donnell, now 63, recounts how her friendship with Lyle began during the infamous trial. She recalled her appearance on Larry King Live in 1996, where she expressed her belief in the brothers’ defense. Following this, she received a letter from Lyle thanking her for her support.

“He thanked me for my support and stated his belief that I ‘knew’ from a personal place that what he was saying was true,” O’Donnell shared.

However, at that time, she was not ready to engage in a correspondence and chose to leave Lyle’s letter unanswered.

Reconnection Years Later

Years passed before O’Donnell and Lyle reconnected after she watched a documentary in 2022 that presented new evidence related to the Menendez brothers’ claims of abuse. After she defended them in a TikTok video, Lyle’s wife reached out to see if O’Donnell would be interested in speaking with him directly.

The initial phone call lasted several hours, leading to regular communication between the two. O’Donnell expressed feeling safe for the first time to be vulnerable around a man, stating, “I felt safe enough to trust and be vulnerable and love a straight man.”

Controversial Friendship

Despite the unusual nature of their relationship, O’Donnell mentioned that some friends expressed concern, admonishing her by stating, “‘Ro, he’s a murderer.'” Nonetheless, she chose to visit Lyle in prison, discovering that he was involved in a program that trains dogs to assist blind and autistic children.

Inspired by this initiative, O’Donnell adopted a Labrador mix, Kuma, for her son, Clay, who has autism. This decision profoundly impacted her son’s life, showcasing the positive influence that service dogs can have.

Documenting the Experience

O’Donnell’s experience with the service dog program has inspired her to produce a documentary titled Unleashing Hope: The Power of Service Dogs for Autism, which is set to premiere on Hulu on April 22. Reflecting on the changes in her son since adopting Kuma, she said, “I noticed the difference in Clay immediately.”