Erik Menendez, along with his brother Lyle, is currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the brutal murders of their parents in 1989. However, with the recent resurgence of interest in their case due to the Netflix series “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story,” there is now talk of a possible resentencing. Outgoing Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón has recommended that their case be revisited, and District Attorney-elect Nathan Hochman has expressed his intent to review the case upon taking office on December 3.
Should Erik Menendez be released, he has stated his plans to move to Las Vegas to be with his wife, Tammi, whom he married in 1999. If this were to happen, Menendez would be joining a colorful cast of characters from the 1990s tabloid scene who have made their way to Las Vegas.
Among these infamous personalities is Gennifer Flowers, who gained notoriety in 1992 when she claimed to have had an affair with then-presidential candidate Bill Clinton. After moving to Las Vegas in 1997, Flowers worked as a lounge singer for several years.
Another notable figure is Heidi Fleiss, known as the “Hollywood Madam” for her high-end prostitution ring catering to the elite. Fleiss relocated to Pahrump in 2005 to open a brothel but later shifted her focus to pet grooming businesses and caring for rescued birds.
John Wayne Bobbitt, famous for the sensationalized incident involving his severed penis in 1993, moved to Las Vegas in the mid-90s. Despite facing legal troubles and a tumultuous personal life, Bobbitt found work in various industries, including adult entertainment.
Mike Tyson, the former heavyweight boxing champion, faced his own share of controversies in the 1990s, including a prison sentence for rape. Tyson eventually settled in Henderson and pursued a career in entertainment, appearing in films and a one-man show.
O.J. Simpson, acquitted of murder charges in 1995 but later convicted of armed robbery, made Las Vegas his home after his release from prison in 2017. Simpson was a familiar sight in the Summerlin area and frequented local golf courses until his passing in 2022.
Finally, Michael Jackson, plagued by tabloid rumors throughout his career, spent time in Las Vegas as a guest of Steve Wynn and later made the city his temporary residence. Despite facing legal troubles, Jackson maintained a presence in Las Vegas until his untimely death in 2009.
These larger-than-life personalities from the ’90s tabloid era have left a lasting impact on Las Vegas, adding to the city’s colorful history of celebrity residents and scandals. As Erik Menendez considers a move to Las Vegas, he may find himself in the company of other infamous figures who have called the city home.