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The Monsters' Cooper Koch feels “gratitude” after the Menendez brothers' resentencing


The Monsters' Cooper Koch feels “gratitude” after the Menendez brothers' resentencing

Cooper Koch hopes to see Erik and Lyle Menendez soon – and that this time they will be free.

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced Oct. 24 that he is recommending that the brothers, who are serving life sentences for the 1990 murders of their parents Jose and Kitty, be resentenced because they “pay their debt have paid to the company”.

In response, the 28-year-old chef, who played the role of Erik, responded Monsters: The Story of Lyle and Erik Menendezwrote in a statement on his twin brother Payton's Instagram Stories: “I am overwhelmed with gratitude and hope for the progress we have seen today. Gascón's recommendation sparked a new sense of possibility that Lyle and Erik could finally be released after decades behind bars.”

Cooper Koch's message about the Menendenz brothers.

Payton Koch/Instagram


However, Cooper noted that the “journey is not over” for the brothers.

“There are still crucial steps ahead: the judge must approve the resentencing, and when that happens, the parole board must recognize the time served as appropriate for the crime,” Cooper continued. “Our voices, our unwavering support, remain vital – not only for the brothers’ release, but also for every struggling victim of sexual abuse to have their voices heard.”

He ended the statement by saying that he hoped to “see Erik and Lyle again soon. Free from all of this.”

Nicholas Chavez as Lyle Menendez, Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez, Ari Graynor as Leslie Abramson in Monsters: The Story of Lyle and Erik Menendez.

Miles Crist/Netflix


Since the Netflix series premiered last month, Cooper has been vocal about his support for the brothers' release from prison. He even paid Erik and Lyle a visit with Kim Kardashian at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego, telling PEOPLE “there is an immediate connection” between them.

“I got to hug both of them and sit next to Erik in this circle with all the other detainees telling their stories and they were both so nice. They are great people,” he said.

“I had spoken to both of them (before), so I knew we already had some kind of camaraderie and they knew where I stood. I told them I supported them and that I believed them,” Cooper continued. “I felt like they would welcome me with open arms, but it was still nerve-wracking to meet someone who listened to me and who inspired me.”

He also addressed the criticism the brothers had of the Ryan Murphy series – which Erik called a “disheartening slander” in a statement following the series' premiere.

“I understand. I understand he would feel that way. This is really hard stuff. This is his life, and his life has a lot of trauma. It's a tragedy. And he's still in prison, so I understand how difficult it is.” would be. I stand by his side.”

Brad Culver as Gerald Chaleff, Nicholas Chavez as Lyle Menendez, Cooper Koch as Erik Menendez in Monsters: The Story of Lyle and Erik Menendez.

Miles Crist/Netflix


Cooper's co-star Nicholas Alexander Chavez, who played Lyle Monstershared a similar sentiment with PEOPLE.

“I really feel for the brothers, the fact that this was the most traumatic moment of their lives and that it was then shown on television for the world to see,” Chavez, 26, said at the event grotesque Premiere in New York City. “I would imagine that would be incredibly difficult.”

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Monsters: The Story of Lyle and Erik Menendez can be streamed in full on Netflix.

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