As a paranormal enthusiast, I was captivated when I first heard of the infamous Amityville house where Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered his family in 1974. After researching the home’s haunted history, I wanted to uncover the truth behind the bone-chilling events reported by subsequent residents like the Lutz family. This legendary site still intrigues me decades later as both a true crime and supernatural tale.
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The Beginnings of the Amityville Horror
What sparked the Amityville murders in 1974? On November 13, 1974, Ronald DeFeo Jr. committed the horrific killing of his six family members at 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York. DeFeo used a .35 caliber Marlin rifle to shoot his parents, Ronald Sr. and Louise, along with his two brothers and two sisters, Dawn, Allison, Marc, and John Matthew, as they slept in their beds.
Defeo family tragedy and Ronald’s heinous act
DeFeo initially claimed he found the bodies after the murders and blamed the killings on a hitman. However, he soon confessed that he was responsible for the brutal slayings. DeFeo’s motive remains unclear to this day. Some believe he was after his father’s life insurance money, while others think he had a psychotic break or that his history of drug use played a role. There’s also speculation that supernatural forces influenced him.
DeFeo was found guilty of second-degree murder in November 1975 and was sentenced to six consecutive sentences of 25 years to life in prison. He remained incarcerated until his death in March 2021 at age 69.
How the Amityville Horror story began to unroll
The Lutz Family and the Haunted House
In December 1975, George and Kathleen Lutz purchased the DeFeo house for $80,000, aware of its tragic history. On December 18, 1975, they moved into 112 Ocean Avenue with Kathleen’s three children from a previous marriage.
According to their account, paranormal activity began immediately. They asked a Catholic priest, Father Ralph Pecoraro, to bless the house. He claimed to have heard a voice telling him to “get out” and felt an invisible force slap him. His hands later developed blisters.
George and Kathy Lutz’s 28 days at 112 Ocean Avenue
Over the next 28 days, the Lutz family experienced increasingly disturbing supernatural events, including:
- Green slime oozing from walls
- Windows and doors slamming shut by themselves
- Beds levitating and violently shaking
- A pig creature with glowing red eyes peering in through a window
- George waking up every night at 3:15 am – around the time the murders occurred
- Kathleen physically transforming into a 90-year-old woman with wrinkles and white hair
Paranormal experiences recounted by the Lutz family
On January 14, 1976, the Lutzes fled 112 Ocean Avenue, leaving behind all their possessions. Their ordeal was chronicled in Jay Anson’s 1977 book The Amityville Horror, which was adapted into a popular 1979 horror film starring James Brolin and Margot Kidder.
Lutz family moved: Truth or a clever hoax?
Deciphering Fact from Fiction: The Amityville Hoax Debate
The veracity of the Lutzes’ claims has long been disputed. At the center of the controversy is William Weber, Ronald DeFeo Jr.’s defense attorney, who said the haunting story was fabricated over bottles of wine with the Lutzes.
However, both George and Kathleen passed lie detector tests supporting their account. George maintained until his death that the experiences were real but some details had been exaggerated.
So was the Amityville horror a real supernatural event or an elaborate hoax for fame and fortune? After decades, the debate still rages on.
The role of Jay Anson and William Weber in shaping the Amityville story
Jay Anson, author of The Amityville Horror, used 45 hours of tape-recorded interviews with the Lutz family as the basis for his book. Critics charge that the book and subsequent 1979 film added fictional elements about the haunting.
William Weber’s claim that he concocted the horror story with the Lutzes has fueled skepticism. However, the family denies his allegation and maintains that what they experienced was real.
Arguments supporting the hoax theory
- The Lutzes faced financial problems and had motive to sell a sensational story.
- No paranormal activity has been reported by subsequent owners of 112 Ocean Avenue.
- Details of the story have changed over time and contradictions exist.
- Investigation found inconsistencies in the Lutzes’ account.
Real horror or elaborate fraud?
After almost 50 years, doubts still linger over the Lutzes’ story. While some evidence suggests a hoax, proponents argue that other unexplainable details point to real paranormal phenomena inside the Amityville house. The shocking murders combined with the puzzling events thereafter have cemented the home’s terrifying legacy.
Notable Incidents and Paranormal Claims Inside the Amityville House
Inside 112 Ocean Avenue: Hauntings and paranormal activities
The Lutzes’ account of their 28-day stay at the house contains many spine-chilling details. Some of the most notable incidents they reported include:
- Green slime oozing from walls and keyholes
- Pig creature with glowing red eyes peering through window
- Bathroom toilets turning black
- Doors and windows slamming violently by themselves
- Beds levitating and shaking intensely
- Mysterious odors appearing and disappearing
- Unexplained extreme coldness felt inside house
- Loud bangings and heavy footsteps heard at night
Famous visits by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren
Famed paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren visited 112 Ocean Avenue after the Lutzes fled. They claimed to sense an overwhelmingly dark, malevolent presence pervading the house. Several time-lapse photos were taken inside, including a now infamous image supposedly showing the ghost of one of the murdered DeFeo children.
Most chilling events reported by the Lutz family and subsequent owners
Some of the most terrifying occurrences reported by the Lutzes include George repeatedly waking up at 3:15 am, feeling paralyzed in bed by an unseen force, and witnessing his wife Kathy levitating off their bed.
Later owners, James and Barbara Cromarty, reported no paranormal activity during their 10 years living there. However, constant harassment by thrill-seekers and onlookers ultimately drove them to change the address to 108 Ocean Avenue.
The Amityville House Today
112 Ocean Avenue: From horror site to a regular family home?
The house today looks quite different from its 1970s appearance, with the exterior and infamous “eye” windows significantly changed.
Since the Lutzes fled, it has had several owners. None reported supernatural experiences like those described by the Lutz family. After being sold for $850,000 in 2016, it was purchased in 2017 for $605,000 – a high but not exorbitant price for such a house in Amityville.
Recent owners and their experiences with the Amityville legacy
Recent owners have had to deal with unwanted public attention due to the home’s legacy. Brian Wilson, owner from 1997-2010, was quite open about showing the public the inside of 112 Ocean Avenue to dispel myths.
The current owners, who purchased the house in 2017, have not spoken publicly about their experiences there. It seems the paranormal activity – real or not – died along with initial publicity from the case.
The Amityville house in media and public fascination
Yet the American public remains fascinated with the Amityville horror story decades later. The house is considered one of the most haunted in the country. And the story continues to inspire new books, documentaries, and horror films like the 2005 remake starring Ryan Reynolds.
Cultural Impact and Continuing Legacy of the Amityville House Horror Story
Horror films and documentaries based on the Amityville story
The Amityville horror story has spawned over 20 horror films since the original 1979 movie adaptation starring James Brolin and Margot Kidder. Numerous documentaries have also analyzed the hauntings and murders.
The sheer number of theatrical and TV treatments has amplified the mystery and intrigue surrounding 112 Ocean Avenue, keeping the public fascinated.
True crime and paranormal enthusiasts’ interest over the years
Beyond horror fans, both true crime readers and paranormal enthusiasts remain captivated by the events surrounding the Amityville killings and alleged haunting. The story encompasses several popular interests – unsolved mysteries, murder, the supernatural, and haunted houses.
This broad appeal partly explains why the public appetite for anything Amityville-related has not diminished, even after claims of a hoax.
Amityville House Horror: A compelling mixture of true crime and supernatural lore
The long-lasting public intrigue underscores the power of a story blending two themes – criminal tragedy and paranormal terror – into one bone-chilling narrative.
The Amityville horror has become the quintessential American haunted house tale, with its mixture of palpable real-world crime and cinematic supernatural horror forever embedded in pop culture.
FAQ – Amityville House
What is the Amityville House?
The Amityville House refers to the property at 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York, famously known for the Amityville Horror haunting incident that occurred in 1974.
Who were the key individuals involved in the Amityville House story?
The story centers around the Lutz family, who moved into the house after the tragic murders of the Defeo family, carried out by Ronald Defeo. The Lutz family claimed to have experienced paranormal activities during their time there.
Is the Amityville House considered a haunted house?
Yes, the Amityville House is infamous for being associated with hauntings and supernatural occurrences, as claimed by the Lutz family and portrayed in movies and books.
What is the real story behind the Amityville House?
The real story behind the Amityville House involves the tragic murders of the Defeo family and the subsequent claims of paranormal activity experienced by the Lutz family, which gained widespread attention.
Who was George and Kathy Lutz in relation to the Amityville House?
George and Kathy Lutz were the occupants of the Amityville House following the Defeo murders. They reported unsettling experiences and claimed to have encountered supernatural phenomena during their brief stay.
Was the Amityville House haunting proven to be a hoax?
The authenticity of the Amityville haunting remains a topic of debate. While some believe it to be a genuine supernatural incident, others suggest that it could have been a well-executed hoax.
What is the connection between the Amityville House and the book/film “The Amityville Horror”?
The book “The Amityville Horror” by Jay Anson and its film adaptations portray the alleged haunted house experience of the Lutz family, based on their claims of encountering paranormal activity in the Amityville House.
