It’s not just a house—it’s a legend. Nestled in the peaceful suburban streets of Amityville, this home has a history that blends true crime with pop culture and paranormal intrigue. Here are some fascinating, and downright spooky, facts about one of Long Island’s most notorious addresses.
- Built in 1927, this stately colonial gained infamy after a tragedy on November 13, 1974, when Ronald DeFeo Jr. fatally shot six members of his family while they slept.
- Strangely, none of the neighbors heard gunshots, and all victims were found face down in their beds, leading to speculation about how the events unfolded.
- Over the years, DeFeo gave conflicting accounts, including a claim that a mafia hitman was responsible. He was ultimately convicted and spent his life in prison before passing away in 2021.
More than a year after the murders, the Lutz family moved into the home, purchasing it for $88,000. They stayed for just 28 days, later claiming they experienced terrifying supernatural events.
- Their story inspired the 1977 bestseller The Amityville Horror, which has sold over 10 million copies, and the iconic 1979 film starring James Brolin and Margot Kidder.
- Despite experts debunking the haunting as a hoax (including a confession from the Lutz family’s lawyer), the legend persists. The Lutz children, now adults, have described unsettling but exaggerated experiences in documentaries.
Even today, people are drawn to the house, though its appearance has changed. Its famous quarter-moon windows are gone, and the address was altered from 112 Ocean Avenue to 108 Ocean Avenue to discourage curiosity-seekers.
The house’s value has fluctuated dramatically over the years:
- Sold for $55,000 after the Lutz family left, the property’s price climbed to $950,000 in 2010.
- It was listed for sale again in 2016 and eventually sold in 2017 for $605,000.
Although current owners have reported no supernatural activity, the Amityville Horror house remains a haunting icon, forever tied to its eerie legacy.
Photo: Seulatr, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
