The $17 Million Secret: Who Bought The Menendez Murder Mansion And What They're Doing To It Now

The infamous Beverly Hills mansion at 722 N Elm Drive, the scene of the 1989 Menendez murders, has once again changed hands in one of the most high-profile real estate transactions of the decade. As of the most current information available in late 2025, the property, which has been shrouded in morbid curiosity for over three decades, was purchased for a staggering $17 million in March 2024, and the new owners are now undertaking a massive, controversial renovation.

The buyer's identity, initially shielded by a limited liability company (LLC), was eventually revealed to be the Lahijani family, a prominent Iranian-American real estate investment group. This purchase marks a new chapter for the sprawling 9,063-square-foot Mediterranean-style villa, moving it further away from its dark past, yet the ongoing makeover has sparked both intense media scrutiny and frustration from its elite Beverly Hills neighbors. The sale price itself underscores the enduring value of prime Beverly Hills real estate, even one burdened by such a notorious history.

The Menendez Murder House: A Complete Chain of Ownership

The history of the 722 N Elm Drive property is a narrative woven through immense wealth, shocking violence, and a curious succession of owners who were willing to look past its grim legacy. The property's ownership chain since the 1989 double murder is a fascinating study in how even the most notorious "murder house" can retain significant market value in a premium location.

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• Jose and Kitty Menendez (Original Owners/Victims): The house was purchased by the family in 1988. It was the site where Jose Menendez, a high-powered entertainment executive, and his wife, Kitty Menendez, were fatally shot by their sons, Lyle and Erik, on August 20, 1989. The murder instantly cemented the home's place in true crime history.
• The Estate of Jose and Kitty Menendez: Following the murders and the subsequent legal battles, the property was managed by the estate before being sold to cover debts and legal fees.
• William Link (1993 Purchase): The first buyer to take on the property's dark reputation was William Link, a television writer and producer best known as the co-creator of the mystery series Columbo and, ironically, Murder, She Wrote. Link reportedly paid $3.5 million for the house in 1993, a significant drop from its pre-murder value, illustrating the initial "stigma discount" applied to the property.
• Samuel Delug (Subsequent Owner): Link later sold the mansion to Samuel Delug, a businessman who owned the property for a substantial period. Delug reportedly made efforts to modernize and distance the home from its past, though its infamous reputation always lingered.
• LAHA ELM LLC / The Lahijani Family (March 2024 Purchase): The most recent and high-profile sale occurred in March 2024. The property was sold for $17 million to an LLC named LAHA ELM, which was later linked to the Lahijani family, a group with deep roots in Iranian-American real estate investment. This sale price reflects the soaring value of Beverly Hills real estate, overcoming the decades-old murder stigma.

The $17 million price tag for the 2024 sale is a crucial piece of information, demonstrating the property's incredible appreciation. When William Link purchased it in 1993, the sale price was a reflection of the murder's immediate impact. Over three decades later, the property’s location in the coveted Beverly Hills Flats area has essentially overridden its macabre history, pushing its value into the ultra-luxury bracket.

The Lahijani Family’s Vision: A Controversial Renovation

The new owners, the Lahijani family, have wasted no time in attempting to erase the final vestiges of the home's grim past by initiating a comprehensive and costly renovation. Their decision to purchase the property through an LLC, a common practice in high-value real estate, initially shielded them from public scrutiny, but their plans for the property have since become a major talking point in the neighborhood.

The goal of the renovation is reportedly to completely modernize the sprawling 9,063-square-foot structure, transforming the 1927-built, 1974-redesigned Mediterranean-style villa into a contemporary luxury residence. This makeover includes significant structural and aesthetic changes to the 7-bedroom, 9-bathroom layout. While the details of the specific changes remain private, the sheer scale of the project suggests a complete overhaul rather than a simple refresh.

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However, the renovation has not been without controversy. Residents on North Elm Drive and surrounding streets have reportedly expressed frustration and anger over the increased traffic, noise, and general disruption caused by the construction. Furthermore, the property continues to attract true crime tourists and curiosity seekers, a problem that has plagued the street for years. The neighbors, accustomed to the quiet anonymity of one of the world's most exclusive neighborhoods, are unhappy that the ongoing work is keeping the "Menendez Murder House" in the spotlight.

Lyle and Erik Menendez: Current Status and The House's Legacy

The sale and renovation of the family home occur against the backdrop of the Menendez brothers' continued incarceration. Lyle Menendez and Erik Menendez, who were convicted of first-degree murder in 1996, have spent decades in the California prison system. This context is critical, as the house represents the life of extreme privilege and alleged abuse that was at the center of their defense.

Timeline of the Menendez Brothers' Incarceration:

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• 1989: Murders of Jose and Kitty Menendez at 722 N Elm Drive.
• 1996: Lyle and Erik are convicted and sentenced to two consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole.
• Separate Imprisonment: For over 20 years, the brothers were housed in separate facilities—Lyle at Mule Creek State Prison and Erik at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility—a standard practice for co-defendants.
• 2018: The brothers were finally reunited in the same facility, R. J. Donovan Correctional Facility, marking a significant emotional moment for them after decades apart.
• Recent Legal Updates: As of 2025, the brothers have faced recent parole hearings, but their release has been consistently denied by the California parole board. The ongoing legal efforts to secure their freedom, often based on claims of abuse by their father, continue to keep their case in the media spotlight.

The physical destruction of the original house's interior through the 2024 renovation symbolizes a final, tangible break from the crime. While the brothers remain in prison, the home where the crime was committed is being systematically scrubbed of its past. The $17 million sale price and the Lahijani family's investment demonstrate a powerful market confidence that a luxury makeover can successfully overcome even the most notorious of true crime histories, turning a "murder house" into a high-value piece of Beverly Hills real estate.

The Enduring Market Value of Infamy and Location

The story of the Menendez mansion's sale to the Lahijani family for $17 million is a perfect case study in the dynamics of high-end real estate and the concept of "stigmatized property." While the murder of Jose and Kitty Menendez in the home is a permanent part of its history, the property's location in the heart of Beverly Hills ultimately proved to be the more dominant factor in determining its value.

Real estate experts often note that in ultra-luxury markets like Beverly Hills, the stigma of a property eventually fades when the location is irreplaceable. The 722 N Elm Drive address is in a highly desirable area, known for its large lots, proximity to world-class shopping, and general exclusivity. The Lahijani family's purchase, executed through LAHA ELM LLC, suggests a calculated investment strategy: acquire a prime asset at a potentially slight discount due to the stigma, then invest heavily in a renovation to maximize its value. The ongoing makeover is not just about modernization; it's a deliberate act of "de-stigmatization" through architectural transformation.

The market's willingness to pay $17 million in 2024, a figure that is fully in line with comparable non-stigmatized homes in the area, sends a clear message: in the world of ultra-prime real estate, location is the ultimate victor over even the most gruesome history. The renovated Menendez mansion is set to become a symbol of this phenomenon, a testament to the fact that money and a new coat of paint can, at least on the surface, wipe away the darkest of shadows.