The Haunting of 112 Ocean Avenue: Amityville's Chilling Mysteries

In 1977, the world was introduced to the most infamous haunted house in history, famously located at 112 Ocean Avenue in the once-quiet suburb of Amityville, New York. The Amityville Horror, a book by Jay Anson, recounts the spine-chilling experiences of the Lutz family, who moved into this house a week before Christmas in 1975. Their unsettling encounters began subtly with inexplicable cold spots and mysterious odors. Yet, as time passed, the paranormal phenomena escalated, including levitations, demonic apparitions, and eerie footprints in the snow. They even called in a priest for an exorcism, which took a sinister turn. Within just 28 days of moving in, the Lutz family fled the house in terror, leaving behind their belongings. While the story claims to be true, skepticism abounds. However, the most chilling aspect of the tale is an undisputed fact: six people were brutally murdered in that very house a year prior to the Lutz family's arrival, a crime that remains shrouded in mystery.

On the fateful morning of November 13, 1974, 23-year-old Ronald 'Butch' DeFeo left his family home at 112 Ocean Avenue. While Butch typically had a routine of lounging at his father's car dealership, this day was different, as his father, usually punctual, had not shown up for work. Concerned, Butch called home but received no answer. Oddly, there was no one in the house to answer the phone, which was unusual for a family of six. Despite his growing unease, Butch proceeded with his day, visiting his girlfriend and meeting friends at a bar.

Throughout the day, Butch repeatedly called home, yet no one answered. Worried, he left the bar to check on his family. Upon returning home, he made a gruesome discovery—his entire family lay dead in their beds. Shocked and terrified, Butch called the police, who arrived to a horrific scene. His parents and four siblings had been shot in their beds with no signs of forced entry or theft. Puzzled, the police questioned Butch about anyone who might want to harm his family.

Butch pointed to his great uncle, a member of the Mafia, who had harbored a hitman in their home. Tensions had arisen between Butch's father and the hitman, possibly leading to retribution. Fearing for his own safety, Butch was placed in custody. While investigating the crime scene, the police made a crucial discovery in Butch's bedroom—empty cardboard boxes that had contained Marlin rifles, the same type used in the murders. Suspicion mounted, and Butch's initial alibi began to unravel. He confessed to the killings, describing his gruesome actions and a chillingly normal day that followed.

But, puzzling elements surrounded the case. How did no one hear the gunshots in a quiet neighborhood, especially when guns are loud, and the house was surrounded by neighbors? Butch had claimed to lace the family's dinner with drugs, yet no evidence supported this. Additionally, the motive for the murders remained unclear, particularly regarding the other five victims. Butch's relationship with his father had soured, but there was no apparent reason to target his siblings.

The story then shifts to the Amityville Horror, where the Lutz family claimed supernatural occurrences. They were supported by a polygraph test, which indicated truthfulness. However, skeptics point out discrepancies between the book's accounts and actual facts, as well as a confession by Butch's defense attorney that he had concocted the story with the Lutzs over wine. Furthermore, subsequent occupants reported no supernatural phenomena.

In the end, the truth of what haunts 112 Ocean Avenue remains a mystery. Despite all the stories, one undeniable horror lingers—the brutal 1975 massacre of six people. Butch DeFeo passed away in prison in March 2021, and the full details of that tragic night may never come to light. The only certainty is that the events of Amityville were truly horrifying.