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The Amityville Horror House: 7 Shocking Facts About 112 Ocean Avenue And Its Current Status In 2025

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The notorious house at 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York, remains one of the most famous and chilling properties in American history, largely due to the sensational true-crime story and the subsequent "true haunting" claims. As of late 2025, the house continues to be a private residence, having undergone significant renovations and, most importantly, an official address change in an effort to deter the endless stream of tourists and curiosity-seekers it attracts. The property's dark history is a complex tapestry woven from the brutal 1974 DeFeo family murders and the controversial, short-lived residency of the George and Kathy Lutz family, whose alleged paranormal experiences inspired the book and film franchise, The Amityville Horror.

The saga of this Dutch Colonial home is a constant source of debate, splitting believers who swear by the Lutz family's terrifying account and skeptics who dismiss the haunting as a clever, profitable hoax. Decades after the events, new information continues to surface, keeping the mystery of what truly happened inside its walls alive. This deep dive explores the most current facts, the true-crime origins, and the enduring controversies surrounding one of the world's most infamous addresses.

The Amityville House Profile: From DeFeo Tragedy to Private Residence

The house itself is a beautiful, five-bedroom Dutch Colonial located on a quiet street in Amityville, Long Island, New York. Its idyllic appearance starkly contrasts with the gruesome events that unfolded there, making it a perfect symbol of suburban horror. The property has had a complex and often secretive ownership history since the murders, with multiple families attempting to live a normal life within its infamous walls.

  • Original Address: 112 Ocean Avenue, Amityville, New York.
  • Current Address: 108 Ocean Avenue. The address was changed by subsequent owners (the Cromarty family) to discourage public attention and tourism.
  • House Style: Dutch Colonial.
  • Date of DeFeo Murders: November 13, 1974.
  • The Murderer: Ronald "Butch" DeFeo Jr. (died in prison in 2021).
  • The Victims (The DeFeo Family): Ronald DeFeo Sr. (43), Louise DeFeo (43), Dawn DeFeo (18), Allison DeFeo (13), Marc DeFeo (12), and John Matthew DeFeo (9).
  • The "Haunted" Family: George and Kathy Lutz and their three children (lived in the house for 28 days in 1975-1976).
  • Last Confirmed Sale: March 2017.
  • Last Confirmed Sale Price: $605,000. It had an asking price of $850,000.
  • Current Status: Privately owned and occupied. The distinctive "eye" windows have been altered or removed to change the home's appearance.

The True Crime That Started It All: The DeFeo Murders

The true, undisputed horror of 112 Ocean Avenue is the mass murder that occurred in the early morning hours of November 13, 1974. This event, not the alleged haunting, is the factual foundation of the Amityville legend.

Ronald DeFeo Jr. and the Confession

Twenty-three-year-old Ronald DeFeo Jr., known as "Butch," was the eldest son of the family. He confessed to killing his entire family—his parents, two sisters, and two younger brothers—with a rifle while they slept in their beds.

During his trial, DeFeo’s defense attorney, William Weber, argued that DeFeo was insane and claimed that "voices" from the house made him commit the murders. This claim of a malevolent force influencing the crime became the seed that later blossomed into the "Amityville Horror" haunting narrative. DeFeo was convicted of six counts of second-degree murder and served his sentence until his death in 2021.

The Lingering Question of a Second Shooter

Despite DeFeo's conviction, the crime remains a source of speculation and "new evidence" claims even today. Key questions continue to plague investigators and true-crime enthusiasts:

  • Silence: How could six people be shot with a high-powered rifle without any of the other victims, or neighbors, waking up?
  • Positioning: All victims were found lying face down in their beds, suggesting they were either sedated or someone was present to restrain or position them.
  • DeFeo's Accounts: Over the years, DeFeo gave conflicting accounts, at times claiming his sister Dawn was involved, or that he was part of a mob hit.

While no official evidence has overturned the original verdict, the enduring mystery fuels the narrative that the house itself holds a secret beyond the simple confession, further blurring the lines between true crime and the supernatural.

The Haunting Controversy: Hoax or Hell?

Just 13 months after the DeFeo murders, George and Kathy Lutz purchased the home for a discounted price. They lived there for only 28 days before fleeing, claiming they were terrorized by violent paranormal phenomena.

The Lutz Family’s Alleged Experiences

The Lutz family's account, chronicled in Jay Anson's 1977 book, included bizarre and terrifying events that cemented the house’s reputation. These included:

  • Green slime oozing from walls and keyholes.
  • Strange odors and cold spots.
  • Doors and windows opening and closing on their own.
  • George Lutz waking up every night at 3:15 a.m., the estimated time of the DeFeo murders.
  • The appearance of "Jodie," a demonic pig-like creature.

The Hoax Claims and Lawsuit

The "Amityville Horror" story is now widely regarded by many as a work of fiction, a collaborative effort between George and Kathy Lutz and the DeFeo's original defense lawyer, William Weber. Weber later claimed that he and the Lutzes "created this horror story over many bottles of wine."

Skeptics point out that the Lutzes moved in with the full knowledge of the horrific murders, making them susceptible to suggestion and financial motivation for a sensational story. The Warrens, famous paranormal investigators (Ed and Lorraine Warren), did visit the property, adding a layer of legitimacy for believers, but their involvement is also highly debated.

The Current Reality of 108 Ocean Avenue

The house’s enduring notoriety has made it a nightmare for every subsequent owner. To combat the constant stream of sightseers, the house has undergone significant changes:

Address and Exterior Changes

The most effective measure taken by the owners was the official change of the street number from 112 to 108 Ocean Avenue. Additionally, the distinctive quarter-round "eye" windows that gave the house its menacing look in the film have been removed or altered, fundamentally changing the facade to make it less recognizable.

The Owners Who Tried to Live There

Since the Lutzes fled, several families have owned the property, all reporting a lack of major paranormal activity, or at least choosing not to publicize any:

  • The Cromarty Family: Purchased the house in 1977 and were the first to change the address. They lived there for a decade.
  • The O'Neill Family: Owned the house until 1997.
  • The D'Antonio Family: Owned the house from 2010 to 2017. They were the last known sellers, listing the home for $850,000 before it sold for $605,000 in March 2017.

The current owners, whose identity is kept private, continue the tradition of privacy, hoping to distance their home from the enduring, sensationalized history of the DeFeo murders and the Amityville Horror legend. The house is not currently on the market, but its price remains artificially suppressed by its dark past, yet constantly inflated by its fame.

The Amityville Horror House: 7 Shocking Facts About 112 Ocean Avenue and Its Current Status in 2025
112 ocean ave amityville
112 ocean ave amityville

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