The 5 Most Shocking Updates On 112 Ocean Avenue: The Amityville Horror House In 2025

The house at 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York, remains one of the most infamous residences in American history, nearly fifty years after the horrific DeFeo murders and the subsequent "haunting" of the Lutz family. As of late 2025, the property is still privately owned, occupied by residents who have successfully distanced themselves from the decades of paranormal spectacle. The owners have taken significant steps, including changing the address and renovating the structure, to deter the constant stream of sightseers and media attention. The chilling saga began on November 13, 1974, when 23-year-old Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered six members of his family in their beds. This true crime tragedy was quickly overshadowed by the sensational claims of the next residents, George and Kathy Lutz, who moved in 13 months later and fled after just 28 days, claiming demonic possession and terrifying paranormal activity. Their story became the foundation for Jay Anson's 1977 book, *The Amityville Horror*, and a massive Hollywood franchise. However, with new developments, including the death of the killer and the release of new media, the narrative of 112 Ocean Avenue continues to evolve.

The Key Figures of 112 Ocean Avenue: A Biographical Profile

The story of the Amityville house is defined by three families: the DeFeos, the Lutzes, and the subsequent, quieter owners.

• Ronald "Butch" DeFeo Jr. (The Killer)
  • Born: September 26, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York.
  • Victims: His father (Ronald DeFeo Sr., 43), mother (Louise DeFeo, 43), and four siblings (Dawn, 18; Allison, 13; Marc, 12; John Matthew, 9).
  • Crime Date: November 13, 1974.
  • Sentence: Six counts of second-degree murder, 25 years to life.
  • Latest Status: Ronald DeFeo Jr. died in custody on March 12, 2021, at the age of 69, while serving his life sentence at the Sullivan Correctional Facility in Fallsburg, N.Y. His death closed the final chapter on the man who started the legend.
• George & Kathy Lutz (The "Haunted" Family)
  • Moved In: December 1975.
  • Fled: January 1976 (after 28 days).
  • Children: Daniel, Christopher, and Missy (from Kathy's previous marriage). George and Kathy later had two more children.
  • Post-Amityville: They divorced in 1988.
  • Latest Status: Kathy Lutz died in 2004 of emphysema. George Lutz died in 2006 of heart disease. Their children have largely stayed out of the public spotlight.
• Subsequent Owners (The Cromartys and Beyond)
  • The Cromartys: Jim and Barbara Cromarty bought the house in 1977. They lived there for 10 years and reported absolutely no paranormal activity. [cite: 2 (from step 1)]
  • Current Owners: The house has changed hands several times since the Cromartys. The current residents purchased the property in the most recent sale and have maintained strict privacy.

5 Shocking Updates on the Amityville Horror House

The infamous address has spent the last few years quietly shedding its macabre reputation, yet the media machine continues to churn. Here are the most significant and recent updates on 112 Ocean Avenue.

1. The Killer’s Death Closes a Chapter (March 2021)

The most definitive and recent event tied to the original crime was the death of Ronald DeFeo Jr. in March 2021. His passing officially ended any possibility of new confessions, parole hearings, or further legal proceedings related to the 1974 murders. For decades, DeFeo’s shifting stories—from claiming he acted alone to suggesting his sister Dawn was involved—fueled conspiracy theories and kept the case in the public eye. His death, while serving his sentence, finally brings a sense of closure to the true crime aspect of the Amityville saga.

2. The Final Sale Price and New Address for 112 Ocean Avenue

The house has changed hands numerous times since the Lutzes fled in 1976. Each sale provides a barometer for how the property’s dark history affects its real estate value. * The Last Sale: The house was last sold in 2017 for $605,000. [cite: 6, 11 (from step 1)] This price was a significant drop from its previous asking price and a clear indication that, despite renovations and a new address, the "Amityville Horror" stigma continues to impact its marketability. * The Address Change: To deter the constant stream of curious tourists and paranormal enthusiasts, the owners successfully petitioned to have the address changed. The original address, 112 Ocean Avenue, is now officially 108 Ocean Avenue (though some reports suggest it has changed multiple times to throw off sightseers). [cite: 9 (from step 1), 14, 15, 16] The iconic quarter-round windows, which gave the house its distinctive "evil eyes" look in the movies, have also been altered or removed in various renovations to further change its appearance. [cite: 12 (from step 1)]

3. The 2024 Film Release Revives the Legend

Even as the real house settles into a quiet existence, Hollywood continues to exploit the legend. A new horror film, *Amityville: Where the Echo Lives*, was released in late 2024. [cite: 3, 5, 7, 9, 10 (from step 3)] This is just the latest in a seemingly endless stream of Amityville-themed movies, highlighting the enduring cultural fascination with the story. These cinematic iterations, however, often blur the lines between the factual DeFeo murders and the highly disputed Lutz haunting, reinforcing the myth for a new generation.

4. The Hoax Debate Gains New Momentum from Investigators

The true nature of the Amityville haunting—real terror or elaborate hoax—remains a central point of contention. The current, fresh perspective leans heavily toward the "hoax" theory, backed by investigative journalism. * Ric Osuna's Investigation: Author and investigative journalist Ric Osuna has spent years researching the case, arguing that the haunting was a fabrication. [cite: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 (from step 3)] His work, *The Night the DeFeos Died: Reinvestigating the Amityville Murders*, is often cited by those who believe the story was concocted by George and Kathy Lutz and their lawyer, William Weber, for financial gain. [cite: 15 (from step 3)] * Lutz Children's Accounts: Furthermore, the children of the Lutz family have given accounts suggesting that the events were significantly exaggerated in the book and subsequent films. [cite: 12 (from step 3)] This insider perspective adds weight to the argument that the "horror" was more of a sensationalized narrative than a supernatural event.

5. The Current Residents Report No Haunting

Perhaps the most reassuring update for the neighborhood is the consistent testimony of the house's subsequent owners. From the Cromartys in the late 1970s to the current residents, no family has reported any of the extreme paranormal phenomena—the green slime, the demonic pigs, the levitating beds—claimed by the Lutz family. [cite: 2 (from step 1)] The current owners live a private life, and the home is simply a renovated, large Dutch Colonial house on a quiet Long Island street. Its current reality is one of peaceful, non-haunted domesticity, a stark contrast to its cinematic reputation.

The Enduring Topical Authority of the Amityville House

The house at 112 Ocean Avenue (now 108 Ocean Avenue) is a perfect storm of true crime and supernatural folklore. It has spawned 11 official films, countless books, and documentaries, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the haunted house subgenre. The ongoing interest stems from the fact that the DeFeo murders were undeniably real, grounding the subsequent ghost story in a concrete, horrific event. The death of Ronald DeFeo Jr. in 2021, the new 2024 movie, and the definitive evidence of the house's address change are the elements that keep the story current and relevant. While the original "Amityville Horror" may have been a lucrative hoax, the house itself remains a powerful symbol of American terror, a magnet for curiosity, and a testament to the power of a story to overshadow reality. As long as the house stands, people will continue to ask: What really happened at 112 Ocean Avenue?