5 Decades Later: 7 Shocking Facts About The Amityville Horror House In 2025
The legend of the Amityville Horror House remains one of the most compelling and terrifying true crime and paranormal stories in American history, even as we move into December 2025. This infamous Dutch Colonial home, located in a quiet Long Island neighborhood, is a site forever stained by the brutal 1974 DeFeo family murders and the subsequent haunting claims made by the Lutz family. Fifty years after the horrific crime, the house stands, occupied by new residents who simply want to live in peace.
The house at 112 Ocean Avenue (now 108 Ocean Avenue) continues to generate intense curiosity, fueled by dozens of books, documentaries, and films. While the structure itself has seen significant changes—including a complete redesign to deter tourists—the chilling debate over whether the haunting was a genuine paranormal event or a sensationalized hoax rages on, especially following the 50th anniversary of the tragedy in late 2024.
The Families: A Complete Biography of The DeFeo Victims and The Lutz Survivors
The history of the Amityville house is inextricably linked to two families: the DeFeos, who were murdered, and the Lutzes, who fled after 28 days.
The DeFeo Family: The Victims of November 13, 1974
The six victims were members of the DeFeo family, all of whom were shot in their beds in the early morning hours of November 13, 1974.
- Ronald Joseph DeFeo Sr. (Age 43): Father and husband, shot twice.
- Louise DeFeo (Age 43): Mother and wife, shot twice.
- Dawn DeFeo (Age 18): Eldest daughter, shot once.
- Allison DeFeo (Age 13): Daughter, shot once.
- Marc DeFeo (Age 12): Son, shot once.
- John Matthew DeFeo (Age 9): Youngest son, shot once.
The sole perpetrator was Ronald Joseph "Butch" DeFeo Jr., the eldest son, who was 23 at the time. DeFeo Jr. initially claimed a mob hitman was responsible, but later confessed to the murders, claiming he was influenced by "voices" telling him to kill his family. He was convicted on six counts of second-degree murder and served his sentence until his death in a New York state prison in March 2021.
The Lutz Family: The Survivors of The Haunting
Thirteen months after the murders, George and Kathy Lutz and her three children from a previous marriage moved into the home in December 1975.
- George Lutz: The stepfather, who reported experiencing an overwhelming sense of dread, waking up at 3:15 AM (the approximate time of the murders), and suffering from chills.
- Kathleen "Kathy" Lutz: The mother, who reported physical manifestations, being lifted off her bed, and having unexplained marks on her body.
- Daniel, Christopher, and Missy: The three children, who also reported various frightening experiences, including a child's pig-like creature named "Jodie" and levitation.
The Lutz family famously fled the house after only 28 days, leaving most of their possessions behind. Their story, chronicled in Jay Anson’s 1977 book, The Amityville Horror, launched the global phenomenon.
The Amityville House Today: Current Status and Estimated Value in 2025
The house itself, a five-bedroom, 3.5-bath Dutch Colonial, remains a private residence in the village of Amityville, Long Island. It is a highly sought-after, yet historically burdened, piece of real estate.
The Disguise: Why The Address and Look Have Changed
In a direct effort to discourage the constant stream of tourists, sightseers, and paranormal enthusiasts, the owners of the house have taken significant steps over the years to distance the property from its infamous past.
- Address Change: The original address, 112 Ocean Avenue, was officially changed to 108 Ocean Avenue. This change was enacted to make it more difficult for people to locate the exact house.
- Architectural Changes: The most recognizable feature of the "Amityville Horror" house—the two quarter-round windows on the third floor that gave the house its distinctive "evil eyes" look—were removed or drastically altered. Subsequent owners have performed renovations to change the facade, making the house look substantially different from the one depicted in the 1979 film.
The current residents are private owners who purchased the property in the last decade and have repeatedly stressed their desire for privacy, often taking legal action against trespassers or those who attempt to exploit the property's history.
Recent Real Estate Transactions and Current Value
Despite its dark history, the Amityville house remains a valuable piece of Long Island real estate. Its price history reflects a continuous struggle between its notoriety and its market value:
- 2010 Sale: Sold for $950,000.
- 2017 Sale: The house was last officially sold in February 2017 to an undisclosed owner for $605,000. This price was notably $200,000 less than the original listing price of $850,000, suggesting the infamous history still affects the final sale price.
- 2025 Estimated Value: As of the latest available estimates following the 2017 sale, the property's value has appreciated, with one estimate placing the current value at approximately $1,066,000. This appreciation reflects the general rise in the Long Island housing market, proving that location and real estate fundamentals eventually outweigh even the most notorious reputation.
The Enduring Controversy: Hoax vs. Haunting in The 50th Anniversary Era
The 50th anniversary of the DeFeo murders in November 2024 brought renewed attention to the central question: Was the Lutz family's experience real, or was it a lucrative fabrication? This debate is the core of the Amityville phenomenon.
The Claim of Hoax and Legal Battles
Skepticism surrounding the Lutz’s story began almost immediately. The most prominent source of the "hoax" claim came from William Weber, Ronald DeFeo Jr.’s defense attorney. Weber claimed that he and George Lutz fabricated the story of the haunting "over many bottles of wine" to create a profitable book.
The Lutz family vehemently denied this. George and Kathy Lutz filed a lawsuit in 1977 against Weber and others involved in spreading the hoax claims. The family insisted that their terrifying 28-day ordeal, which included phenomena like green slime oozing from walls, swarms of flies, and a priest being warned to leave the house, was entirely true.
The Paranormal Investigations and Entity Mentions
The house's notoriety attracted famous paranormal investigators, including Ed and Lorraine Warren, who visited the house in 1976. The famous photo of a supposed "demon boy" peering out from a doorway was taken during their investigation, though the authenticity of this photo is widely disputed.
Entities and phenomena reported by the Lutzes include:
- The Red Room: A hidden, small red room in the basement that supposedly caused extreme discomfort.
- Demonic Presence: The feeling of a malevolent, non-human entity.
- "Jodie": The imaginary pig-like creature that the youngest daughter, Missy, spoke to.
- The 3:15 AM Phenomenon: George Lutz repeatedly woke up at 3:15 AM, the time the DeFeo murders were estimated to have occurred.
Ultimately, the debate remains unresolved. The DeFeo murders are a proven, tragic fact. The haunting is a matter of belief. What is undeniable is the power of the story, which continues to terrify and intrigue new generations, ensuring the Amityville Horror House will remain a cultural landmark for decades to come.
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