Few haunted house tales have captured public imagination as strongly as the Amityville Horror. However, separating fact from fiction can be challenging. This article aims to provide an accurate account of the events and the subsequent myths that have surrounded them.
The Origin of the House
Address: The house is located at 112 Ocean Avenue, Amityville, Long Island, New York.
Built in 1927, the iconic Dutch Colonial house with its unique quarter-moon windows became infamous in the mid-1970s. Prior to the events that put it on the map, it was simply a residence among many in Amityville.
The DeFeo Murders: The True Horror
The real-life horror story began on November 13, 1974, when 23-year-old Ronald "Butch" DeFeo Jr. murdered his entire family — parents and four siblings — while they slept in their beds. He used a .35 caliber rifle, and strangely, no family members appeared to have been awakened by the gunshots.
DeFeo initially tried to play the concerned son, suggesting a mob hitman was responsible. But after police investigation and his own inconsistent statements, he confessed to the murders. His defense during the trial was that voices in the house drove him to commit the crimes. He was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to six consecutive life terms.
DID YOU KNOW-The DeFeos Were All Found In The Same Position! The uniform arrangement of the bodies is unsettling on its own, implying that someone intentionally positioned the victims in that manner. However, the eerie nature of the situation is heightened by additional peculiar details: Although the authorities ascertained that the rifle used in the incident was not equipped with a suppressor, which theoretically should have alerted the DeFeos to the danger, there was no indication that they had struggled. Furthermore, there was no evidence to suggest that any sedatives had been administered to incapacitate the victims or silence them, adding to the strangeness of the circumstances. In an odd twist, the neighbors reported not hearing any gunshots; the only disturbance noted was the sound of the family dog barking.
The Lutz Family and Their 28 Days
In December 1975, about a year after the DeFeo murders, George and Kathy Lutz and their three children moved into the house. They were aware of its history but decided to buy it because it was priced below market value.
They lived there for only 28 days. According to the Lutzes, during that time, they experienced a series of terrifying and unexplainable events. Some of their claims included:
- Seeing a pig-like creature with red eyes.
- Swarms of flies, despite it being winter.
- George waking up at 3:15 am every night, the time the DeFeo murders occurred.
- Mysterious cold spots and foul odors.
- A priest being told to "get out" when trying to bless the house.
These experiences led the Lutzes to abandon the home, leaving their belongings behind.
Media Explosion
In 1977, Jay Anson published a book titled "The Amityville Horror," which recounted the Lutzes' experiences. The book was an instant bestseller, and in 1979, a film adaptation was released, followed by numerous sequels, spin-offs, and even a remake in 2005.
Controversies and Skepticism
Over the years, many have questioned the veracity of the Lutzes' claims:
- Neighbors reported never noticing anything unusual during the Lutzes' stay.
- Ronald DeFeo Jr.'s lawyer, William Weber, admitted that he and the Lutzes concocted the haunted house story "over many bottles of wine."
- Investigators like Dr. Stephen Kaplan and authors like Ric Osuna have pointed out inconsistencies and fabrications in the Lutzes' account.
DID YOU KNOW- The Famous “Demonic Boy” Photograph Is From The Amityville Investigation. Search for “demonic boy photograph” on Google, and this particular image is likely to appear. It has achieved an iconic status, capturing the attention of many, regardless of their belief in the supernatural. Even if you are not familiar with its origin, chances are high that you have encountered this photo, especially if you have an interest in paranormal phenomena. The photo was captured by renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (the very same) a few weeks after the Lutzes vacated the premises. It eerily appears to depict a young boy with luminescent eyes standing in a doorway to the left in the photograph, despite the fact that no children were present in the house at that time.
The House Today
Numerous families have lived in the Amityville house since the Lutzes and none have reported anything supernatural. The house still stands, though its address has been changed to discourage tourists and onlookers.
DID YOU KNOW- A comprehensive collection of 21 movies is associated with the Amityville Horror franchise, with productions ranging from 1979 all the way to the present. The majority of these films were released directly to video. However, four of them achieved widespread theatrical release, namely: "The Amityville Horror" (1979), "Amityville II: The Possession," "Amityville 3-D," and the 2005 remake of "The Amityville Horror."
Conclusion
The Amityville Horror remains a captivating tale, weaving together true crime and supernatural elements. Whether you believe in the haunting or view it as a clever concoction, its place in horror lore is undeniable.
As Always, Thanks For Reading
Rick
References:
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Anson, Jay. "The Amityville Horror." Prentice Hall, 1977.
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Kaplan, Dr. Stephen & Roxanne Salch Kaplan. "The Amityville Horror Conspiracy." Lantern, 1995.
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Osuna, Ric. "The Night the DeFeos Died." Writers Club Press, 2002.