The high-profile case of Erik and Lyle Menendez has been thrust back into the spotlight thanks to hit Netflix series Monsters. Since its release in September, many have spoken out in support of the brothers – who are serving life sentences for the 1989 murders of their parents José and Kitty – including Kim Kardashian.

The reality star – who has become a criminal justice reform advocate over the years – has continued to show solidarity with Erik and Lyle, calling for them to be released. And as she grows closer to the brothers, even visiting them in prison, sources tell Closer that Lyle in particular is lapping up the attention from the A-lister.

An insider says, ‘Kim is a gorgeous woman so it’s no surprise that Lyle’s got this huge crush on her. Getting attention from someone like her has got his head spinning. Not only is she sexy as hell, she’s also world famous, so having her take this interest in his case is a huge ego boost.

‘Of course, Lyle downplays that side of things and goes on about how kind and big hearted she is. He says he can’t believe all the effort she’s put into understanding his case and insists she’s way smarter than people give her credit for. He’s convinced she’s not doing this for the publicity and says she genuinely cares about justice.’

The source continues, ‘Anytime he talks about her he gets a sappy tone in his voice, it’s obvious he has her up on a pedestal. And why wouldn’t he? She’s done him and his brother a huge service, there’s no doubt the attention she’s added to their case has helped them. And she’s in contact with them a lor more than people realise, she just doesn’t publicise everything that she’s doing to help them.’

Erik and Lyle were 18 and 21 when they shot their parents. During their trial, they claimed they committed the murders in self-defence after years of alleged physical, emotional and sexual abuse. The prosecution argued that the murders were premeditated and that they killed their parents to receive a large inheritance. The juries were unable to reach a verdict, resulting in mistrials for both brothers. In a second trial, they were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in 1996.

Kim, 44, first got involved with their case after watching the Netflix true-crime drama, with creator Ryan Murphy explaining, ‘Kim Kardashian called me a month before the show came out and asked to see it, and I said, “Sure.”  She’s a friend, and she is somebody who’s very into prison reform, and she instantly got involved.’

In September, Kim visited the brothers in jail at San Diego County’s Richard J Donovan Correctional Facility. They were among inmates listening to the star – who was said to be with her sister Khloé, her mum Kris and actor Cooper Koch, who plays Erik in the Netflix show – as she spoke about prison reform.

Kim has since urged authorities to reconsider their life sentences, writing in a personal essay, ‘We are all products of our experiences. They shape who we were, who we are, and who we will be. Physiologically and psychologically, time changes us, and I doubt anyone would claim to be the same person they were at 18. I know I’m not!  You think you know the story of Lyle and Erik Menendez. I certainly thought I did.’

She went on to say, ‘I have spent time with Lyle and Erik; they are not monsters. They are kind, intelligent, and honest men. In prison, they both have exemplary disciplinary records. They have earned multiple college degrees, worked as caregivers for elderly incarcerated individuals in hospice, and been mentors in college programs – committed to giving back to others.’

While multiple legal appeals of their convictions have been rejected, in October, Los Angeles district attorney George Gascón recommended a resentencing, saying he would ask for a sentence of 50 years to life with the possibility of parole. He added, ‘However, because of their age under the law, since they were under 26 years of age at the time that this crime occurred, they will be eligible for parole immediately.’

Celebrating the news, Kim said, ‘The Menendez brothers were granted a second chance at life and will wake up tomorrow finally eligible for a parole hearing. Thank you, George Gascón, for revisiting the Menendez brothers’ case and righting a significant wrong.’

Our source adds that Kim’s dedication to their case has given the brothers a ‘big boost’. They explain, ‘The way she’s supporting them and checking in on them has given them both a big moral boost but it’s Lyle that’s started hoping it might turn into something more. Kim is strictly professional, if she’s noticed that Lyle’s got puppy eyes for her, she hasn’t let on, but obviously there’s no chance that she’d ever go out with him. Still, that hasn’t stopped Lyle from bragging to people about how sweet Kim is to him, he’s definitely taking it as a personal win and lapping up every bit of attention she gives him.’

When it comes to their love lives, Erik, 53, has been married to his wife Tammi Saccoman since 1999, while Lyle, 56, was married to Anna Eriksson from 1996 to 2001 before wedding Rebecca Sneed. However, it was recently revealed that he and Rebecca quietly split after more than 21 years together. He’s since been linked to Milly Bucksey, a 21-year-old student from the UK. It’s believed that they became romantically involved after she wrote to him in prison, but she has ‘only visited him once’.

And while they’re both loved-up, our source says that they admire Kim from afar – especially Lyle. ‘Lyle and Erik are both stuck behind bars and talking to Kim, and how could they not find her attractive? She’s determined to get them out of prison and at the same time it’s a dream come true that their guardian angel is the biggest sex symbol they’ve laid eyes on,’ they say.

‘That said, Erik’s married, but Lyle has split from his wife, and he hasn’t fully committed himself to this girlfriend Milly, which makes him free as a bird in the lyrical sense. Lyle’s the one who raves about Kim the most. He seems to be the one with the skirt-chasing tendencies. He likes to have a little flirt with Kim when he can.’

They add, ‘He has a fantasy that when he’s out of prison maybe she’d be interested in keeping in touch. He’d love to take her out for dinner. The rest of the prisoners are probably quite jealous and like to rub it in.’