As someone who grew up in the era of these Amityville Horror movies and books, I can’t help but be intrigued by the legend of this seemingly haunted house. However, after conducting my own research into the true events that took place within its walls, I have come to a different conclusion than many others.
During autumn’s crisp days with falling leaves, it’s ideal for preparing your Halloween watchlist filled with spine-tingling classics. In the realm of “haunted house” tales, The Amityville Horror, a contemporary classic, continues to captivate. While Stuart Rosenberg’s 1979 adaptation with James Brolin and Margot Kidder is popularly preferred over Andrew Douglas’ 2009 remake featuring Ryan Reynolds and Melissa George, many are unaware that this film franchise has given birth to an impressive 26 sequels or spin-offs.
As a fan, I can tell you that the horrifying events in the “Amityville Horror” films wouldn’t have unfolded without the real-life haunting of the infamous Long Island house. On November 13, 1974, a gruesome mass murder took place within its walls. And just a year later, the property was sold at a bargain price, but the new owners were driven out only 28 days after moving in due to the hauntings. To make your upcoming “Amityville Horror” universe binge-watching experience even more chilling on Peacock, here’s what you need to know about the true story behind this infamous residence.
Where is the Amityville Horror house located and does it still exist?
The large Dutch Colonial house at 112 Ocean Ave. in Amityville, New York, gained notoriety as the “horror house” following a series of murders and later became known as “The Amityville Horror” house after the release of the 1979 movie. Originally built in 1927, this three-story residence has undergone numerous renovations and changes in ownership. To discourage tourists from flocking to the site, the address was altered to 108 Ocean Ave. In 2016, it was reportedly sold for $850,000. The house’s dark past includes rumors of being built on a Shinnecock burial ground and one of its former owners being a Satanic worshipper. However, these allegations remain unverified and are likely products of the numerous horror films and books that have been inspired by the property. Despite its controversial history, people continue to reside in this house.
What happened in the Amityville Horror house in 1974?
1. In contrast to how the Amityville Horror movies portray eerie hauntings and supernatural occurrences within the house, it was actually the gruesome murders committed by Ronald Joseph DeFeo Jr. on November 13, 1974, that triggered those paranormal-like symptoms. At only 23 years old, DeFeo Jr. shot his parents and four siblings: Dawn (18), Allison (13), Marc (12), and John (9). Following the murders, he fled to a nearby bar and claimed that he needed help since he believed his family had been shot. However, as trial transcripts reveal, DeFeo Jr. initially lied about a mob hitman being responsible for the crimes. When faced with intense interrogation and presented with the hitman’s solid alibi, DeFeo Jr. eventually confessed to committing the murders and concealing incriminating evidence.
1. In a court trial, DeFeo Jr. claimed insanity as his defense and was found guilty. His sentence included six terms, each for 25 years to life, due to the number of victims. He passed away in prison in 2021.
Who bought the home after the Amityville murders?
After the passing of all other DeFeo family members, except for Ronald, their house stayed empty until it was offered for sale a year later. In the last month of 1975, George and Kathleen Lutz bought this house for an unusually low price of $80,000 due to its grisly past. They relocated their combined family, consisting of her kids from a previous marriage, into the house before Christmas. As a religious gesture, they invited Father Ralph J. Pecoraro, a Catholic priest, to bless their new home. However, during the blessing on Christmas Eve, according to Anson’s book, the family claimed that Father Ralph was instructed by a voice to leave the property immediately. Strange occurrences reportedly took place in the house, causing the Lutz family to abandon it on January 14, 1976. They quickly arranged for their belongings to be packed and returned the house to the market. It later became the residence of James and Barbara Cromarty, who lived there for a decade without any reported paranormal encounters.
How true is The Amityville Horror book and subsequent movie adaptations?
1977 saw the release of Anson’s book “The Amityville Horror,” sparking widespread rumors about the haunted Amityville house. In October of the following year, Stuart Rosenberg’s film adaptation hit theaters, solidifying its place as a classic horror movie. However, doubts began to surface by 1979 regarding the Lutz family’s accounts, the details of Father Ralph J. Pecoraro’s blessings, and even if such events actually occurred. The subsequent owners, the Cromartys, disputed many of the stories, claiming that the “greenish-black slime” and the so-called “Red Room” (which was just a closet) never existed. Independent investigations revealed that the cloven hoof prints in the snow were impossible because there was no snow during the Lutz family’s residence in the house. The most damning evidence, however, came from a messy lawsuit over the story rights, in which Ron DeFeo’s defense lawyer, William Weber, admitted that the entire story was fabricated by him and the Lutz family.
Over the following years, the Lutz family, along with their children who lived there, continued to stand by the events that caused them to leave the house. Numerous books and documentaries have been produced, aiming to either support or debunk these stories. However, the films are purely for entertainment, while some elements based on the DeFeo murders remain factual. The rest of the plot points and supernatural features in these movies bear little resemblance to reality.
1. Since the Lutz family vacated the Amityville house, it has passed through several different hands. Notably, it was sold twice, in 2010 and 2016. Throughout this entire period, no new owner has reported any hauntings, supernatural occurrences, or anything suspicious whatsoever.
You can express it as: “Starting in September, Peacock will stream the entire Amityville Horror series collection which consists of ‘Amityville II: The Possession’ (1982), ‘Amityville 3-D’ (1983), ‘The Amityville Haunting’ (2016), ‘The Amityville Harvest’ (2020), ‘The Amityville Moon’ (2021), ‘Amityville: The Awakening’ (2022), and ‘Amityville Uprising’ (2022).”
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2024-07-30 16:16