The True Story Behind the Amityville Horror

The Amityville Horror is one of the most infamous haunted house stories in American history. What sets it apart from countless other ghost tales is its connection to true, horrifying events. The story combines a brutal crime, alleged supernatural activity, and a subsequent cultural phenomenon that captivated millions.

The DeFeo Murders: A Grim Beginning

The Amityville Horror story begins on November 13, 1974, in Amityville, Long Island, New York. On that night, 23-year-old Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered his entire family—his parents, Ronald Sr. and Louise, and his four siblings, Dawn, Allison, Marc, and John Matthew—while they slept. All six were shot with a .35 caliber rifle.

The brutality of the crime shocked the nation, but questions quickly arose. DeFeo claimed he heard voices urging him to kill his family. However, he later gave conflicting accounts of his motives. Ultimately, DeFeo was convicted of six counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. The house at 112 Ocean Avenue, where the murders took place, became infamous as a site of tragedy.

The Lutz Family Moves In

Just over a year after the murders, George and Kathy Lutz purchased the home for $80,000—a bargain given the property’s size and location. The couple moved in with Kathy’s three children in December 1975, seemingly undeterred by the house's gruesome past.

The Lutz family stayed in the house for only 28 days. During that time, they claimed to experience a series of terrifying supernatural events. Among their reported experiences:

• Cold Spots and Foul Odors: Certain areas of the house were inexplicably cold, and strange smells would appear and vanish.

• Swarming Flies: Despite the winter season, rooms were reportedly filled with flies.
• Unexplained Noises: They described hearing strange banging sounds and voices at night.
• Demonic Apparitions: Kathy claimed to have seen a glowing red-eyed figure staring through the windows.
• Physical Harm: George said he woke up at 3:15 AM every night (the approximate time of the DeFeo murders) and experienced violent moods. Kathy reported being levitated in her bed.

The family fled the house, leaving all their belongings behind. They later claimed that the haunting had been too intense to endure.

The Media Frenzy

After the Lutz family vacated 112 Ocean Avenue, their story gained significant media attention. They collaborated with author Jay Anson, who turned their experiences into the book The Amityville Horror: A True Story, published in 1977. The book became a bestseller and was later adapted into a 1979 movie, spawning a franchise of sequels, remakes, and spinoffs.

Critics and skeptics, however, questioned the Lutzes’ account. Neighbors, journalists, and paranormal investigators pointed out inconsistencies in their story. Some suggested the Lutz family may have fabricated or exaggerated their claims for financial gain.

Skepticism and Explanations

Several investigations into the Amityville haunting have yielded little evidence to support the Lutzes' claims. Skeptics argue that:

Environmental Factors: The house’s drafts, creaking sounds, and odd smells could be attributed to its age and location near a swampy area.

Psychological Stress: Moving into a home with a violent history may have heightened the family’s fears, causing them to misinterpret ordinary occurrences.

Fabrication: Some believe the Lutzes knowingly created a hoax to profit from book and movie deals. Even William Weber, Ronald DeFeo Jr.’s defense attorney, later stated that he and the Lutzes had concocted parts of the story over "several bottles of wine."

Paranormal Investigations

Despite skepticism, the house attracted numerous paranormal investigators. Ed and Lorraine Warren, famous demonologists, visited the house in 1976. They claimed it was plagued by malevolent spirits. Lorraine Warren described the property as one of the most terrifying cases they had encountered, though their findings have also faced criticism.

The Legacy of the Amityville Horror

The Amityville house has changed hands several times since the Lutz family fled. Many of the subsequent owners reported no unusual activity, further fueling doubts about the haunting. In 2010, the house was sold for $950,000, and its distinctive windows resembling “eyes” were remodeled to distance it from its infamous reputation.

Despite the lack of conclusive evidence, the Amityville Horror endures as a cultural phenomenon. It raises timeless questions about the nature of evil, the power of suggestion, and the human fascination with the supernatural.

Conclusion

The true story behind the Amityville Horror is a blend of brutal reality and alleged paranormal events. While some see it as a cautionary tale of psychological stress and sensationalism, others view it as proof of the unknown. Whether you believe in hauntings or not, the story continues to capture the imagination of horror enthusiasts worldwide.