Read the letter from Erik Menendez to his cousin before the murders

Attorneys representing Lyle and Erik Menendez, who are serving life in prison for the 1988 shooting deaths of their parents, are seeking to get their convictions overturned or have them be resentenced, citing new evidence in the case.

A piece of that evidence is a letter written by Erik to his cousin Andy Cano in 1988, months before the murders, in which he alludes to abuse by his father. Although they’ve never denied killing their parents, the brothers have maintained they acted in self-defense and suffered years of physical and sexual abuse from their father.

Read the letter below.

If you or someone you know is dealing with the aftermath of sexual assault, there are organizations that can help.

National Domestic Violence Hotline Call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788

Available 24/7. Can connect callers with local resources and immediate support. Also available through online chat tool.

National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

Provided by RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network). Available 24/7. Also available through online chat tool.

Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741

Available 24/7 for victims of abuse and any other type of crisis.

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-422-4453

Available 24/7 in 170 different languages.

Find a list of resources organized by state here, provided by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office on Women’s Health.