Lyle Menendez and his wife, Rebecca Sneed, quietly ended their marriage after more than 21 years together, but she remains a key figure in his life despite rumors of a cheating scandal Sneed says are baseless, PEOPLE has learned.

The couple tied the knot in 2003 while Menendez was serving time for the 1989 murders of his and his brother Erik’s parents.

Lyle Menendez, 56, is just moving on fast from behind bars. The infamous prisoner, who was convicted in 1996 alongside his brother, Erik Menendez, for the 1989 double murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez,

Lyle Menendez’s wife, Rebecca Sneed, addressed rumors that he allegedly cheated on her while revealing that they have separated after 21 years of marriage. “Guys! This is NOT a cheating scandal. Lyle and I have been separated for a while now but remain best friends and family,

As Lyle Menendez has been entangled in a cheating scandal with a young university student, his wife Rebecca Sneed has confirmed that they are splitting after 21 years of marriage

Lyle Menendez’s longtime wife has announced she and her hubby have been separated for some time but insists the breakup has nothing to do with his reported affair with a student 35 years his junior. Rebecca Sneed – an attorney who married the convicted murderer from behind bars in 2003 – said on Facebook Friday that the pair remain “best friends and family” even though they’re no longer together as a couple.

Lyle Menendez’s wife Rebecca Sneed announced she and the convicted murderer have separated after 21 years of marriage. The news comes after rumors began circulating that Menendez was allegedly cheating on his wife with a 21-year-old British college student.