The Amityville Horror House: 5 Shocking New Facts About 108 Ocean Avenue And Its $1.46 Million Sale

The infamous house at 108 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York, remains one of the most recognizable and chilling addresses in modern American history. Over fifty years after the horrific DeFeo family murders and decades after the alleged Lutz family haunting, the property continues to captivate—and terrify—the public, largely due to the enduring popularity of *The Amityville Horror* franchise. As of late 2024, the house is no longer a public listing, having been quietly sold to a new, anonymous owner, marking the latest chapter in its dark and complex legacy. This article dives into the fresh, unique details and the most current status of the Dutch Colonial home, revealing facts the movies often leave out.

The history of this five-bedroom, four-bathroom residence, originally known as 112 Ocean Avenue, is a tapestry woven with brutal crime, supernatural claims, and persistent real estate intrigue. The most recent transaction in 2023 confirms that despite decades of notoriety, the house remains a highly sought-after, albeit controversial, piece of property on Long Island’s South Shore, a testament to the power of the Amityville legend.

The True History of 108 Ocean Avenue: Murders, Hauntings, and an Address Change

To understand the current status of the Amityville house, one must first grasp the foundational events that cemented its place in horror lore. The house itself is a classic, three-story Dutch Colonial Revival structure, built in 1927, but its beauty was irrevocably stained by the violence that occurred inside.

• The Surprise Vegas Wedding And Shared Grief 5 Shocking Details Of John Schneider And Dee Dee Sorvinos Whirlwind Romance Ohirf

The DeFeo Family Murders: A Night of Unspeakable Horror

The tragedy began on November 13, 1974. In the early hours of that morning, Ronald Joseph DeFeo Jr., then 23, systematically murdered his entire family as they slept in their beds. The victims included his parents, Ronald DeFeo Sr. (43) and Louise DeFeo (43), and his four younger siblings: Dawn DeFeo (18), Allison DeFeo (13), Marc DeFeo (12), and John Matthew DeFeo (9). Ronald Jr. used a .35-caliber Marlin rifle and claimed during his trial that "voices" told him to commit the murders, a defense that was ultimately rejected. He was convicted on six counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years to life, eventually dying in prison in 2021 at the age of 69.

The Lutz Family’s 28 Days of Terror

Just 13 months after the murders, in December 1975, George and Kathy Lutz purchased the home for a drastically reduced price of $80,000, fully aware of its bloody history. They moved in with Kathy's three children from a previous marriage. Their stay, however, lasted only 28 days. The Lutzes fled the house on January 14, 1976, claiming they had experienced a host of terrifying paranormal phenomena, including strange odors, cold spots, levitation, and the manifestation of a demonic pig-like creature named "Jodie."

Their story became the basis for the best-selling 1977 book and the 1979 film, *The Amityville Horror*, which launched a massive media franchise and cemented the house's global reputation as the most famous haunted house in America.

• The Unseen Story Jessica Simpsons Battle For Privacy And Body Image In A Digital Age Mlvqa

The Real Reason for the Address Change

The house was originally located at 112 Ocean Avenue. The address 108 Ocean Avenue is the current, official address. This change was not a supernatural event, but a deliberate, practical action taken by one of the subsequent owners to discourage the constant stream of tourists, curiosity seekers, and trespassers drawn by the book and film. The new address, combined with significant exterior modifications, was an attempt to regain privacy and normalcy for the residents.

The Latest Real Estate Transaction: The $1.46 Million Sale in 2023

Despite its dark past, 108 Ocean Avenue remains a valuable piece of Long Island real estate, largely due to its desirable location near the water. The history, however, continues to affect its value and the process of its sale.

• The 2023 Sale Price: The property was last sold on January 24, 2023, for a price of $1.46 million. This figure was notably below the final asking price of $1.7 million, suggesting that even with its desirability, the house’s notorious reputation still warrants a discount in the competitive real estate market.
• Anonymous Owners: The new purchasers of the house have chosen to remain completely anonymous, a common practice for owners of the home since the Lutz family fled. This anonymity is crucial for maintaining privacy and avoiding the constant public scrutiny and unwanted visitors that plague the address.
• No Reported Hauntings: Owners who have lived in the house *after* the Lutz family have consistently reported no paranormal activity. Jim and Barbara Cromarty, who purchased the house in 1977, lived there for over a decade and publicly stated they never experienced anything unusual. This pattern has been repeated by subsequent owners, leading many to believe the Lutz haunting was either exaggerated or fabricated for the book, possibly in collaboration with the DeFeo’s defense attorney, William Weber.

Myths and Facts About the Amityville House’s Appearance

One of the most enduring visual aspects of the Amityville story is the house’s iconic, menacing appearance, particularly the two quarter-round windows on the third floor that resemble eyes staring out from the facade. The owners have worked hard over the decades to change this image.

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

• The Eye Windows: The famous "eye" windows, a key feature in the book and all subsequent movies, have been altered several times to change the house's distinctive, recognizable look. The current windows are different from the ones seen in the original 1979 film.
• The "Relocated House" Myth: A persistent rumor suggests the actual house was physically moved to a different street, such as Brooks Road, to deter tourists. This is a common misconception. The house at 108 Ocean Avenue is the original DeFeo/Lutz residence. The confusion may stem from the fact that the house used for the exterior shots in the 1979 film, which was located in Toms River, New Jersey, *was* physically moved and altered to hide its identity. The real Dutch Colonial home remains firmly on Ocean Avenue.
• Exterior Changes: In addition to the address change and window modifications, the exterior has seen different paint colors and landscaping changes over the years, all in an effort to make the property blend in with its neighbors and shed its gruesome identity.

The story of 108 Ocean Avenue is a powerful blend of true crime and urban legend. The 2023 sale confirms that the house, now under the stewardship of anonymous owners, continues to exist as a private residence—a quiet, expensive piece of property that will forever be haunted by the real-life tragedy of the DeFeo murders and the enduring, terrifying claims of the Lutz family’s 28-day stay.

Key Entities and Topical Authority Keywords

The following entities are central to the history and legend of 108 Ocean Avenue:

Ronald Joseph DeFeo Jr., Ronald DeFeo Sr., Louise DeFeo, Dawn DeFeo, Allison DeFeo, Marc DeFeo, John Matthew DeFeo, George Lutz, Kathy Lutz, Jim Cromarty, Barbara Cromarty, William Weber, 112 Ocean Avenue, Amityville, New York, Long Island, Dutch Colonial Revival, November 13, 1974, December 18, 1975, January 14, 1976, 28 Days, The Amityville Horror (Book), The Amityville Horror (Film), $1.46 Million, Brooks Road (Myth), .35-caliber Marlin rifle, High Hopes (Boat Name).