Wisconsin teen charged with killing mother says he was inspired by Netflix’s 'Menendez Brothers' documentary

The 15-year-old allegedly admitted to killing his mother, telling police he was influenced by a Netflix documentary.

A 15-year-old Wisconsin boy has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide after allegedly stabbing his mother to death—a crime he claims was inspired by watching The Menendez Brothers documentary on Netflix.

According to court documents obtained by local news outlets, Reed R. Gelinskey was arrested on March 4 in Caledonia, a suburb of Racine. Police responded to his home at around 10:30 p.m. after a witness reported receiving a Snapchat message from Gelinskey showing a woman lying in blood.

When officers arrived, Gelinskey allegedly walked outside, dropped a kitchen knife on the stoop, and told them, “She is dead from what I did.” Police noted his clothing was stained with blood and took him into custody.

Authorities say Gelinskey admitted to hitting his mother in the head twice with a dumbbell before stabbing her five times with a steak knife. He allegedly told investigators she asked him, “Why?” before he replied, “Pain.”

The criminal complaint states that Gelinskey, who had been taking his brother’s anxiety medication, came home from school that day feeling depressed. He reportedly searched for a hammer to kill his father but couldn’t find one large enough. While watching The Menendez Brothers documentary, he said he formed a plan to kill both parents, specifically during the “shotgun scene.”

The Menendez brothers, Lyle and Erik, were convicted in 1996 of murdering their parents, José and Kitty Menendez, in 1989. They claimed years of abuse led them to act in self-defense, but prosecutors argued they were motivated by financial gain. The brothers are currently seeking to overturn their life sentences, citing newly discovered evidence, including a 1988 letter from Erik Menendez describing abuse and allegations from a former Menudo band member who claims José Menendez sexually assaulted him.

A judge is currently reviewing their case, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office has yet to decide on potential resentencing or a retrial.

Meanwhile, prosecutors described Gelinskey's crime as a “violent, but planned offense” and charged him as an adult. His father has also requested contact with him, which a judge approved.

He is currently being held in a juvenile detention center with bond set at $1 million.