5 Decades Later: The True, Tragic Story Of 112 Ocean Avenue, Amityville, And Its Current, Quiet Life

The notorious Dutch Colonial house at 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York, remains one of the most recognizable—and feared—residences in American history, yet its true story is a complex tapestry of brutal tragedy, sensationalized paranormal claims, and a quiet, mundane present. As of December 2025, the house, once the subject of a global media frenzy, stands renovated and occupied by private owners who have purposefully maintained a low profile, successfully distancing the property from its infamous past to live a remarkably normal life.

The name "Amityville" is synonymous with horror, but the reality behind the legend is rooted in a devastating true crime that occurred over 50 years ago, not a ghost story. Understanding the house today requires separating the chilling facts of the 1974 DeFeo family murders from the highly disputed claims of the Lutz family haunting that followed, which fueled the multi-million dollar *Amityville Horror* franchise.

The DeFeo Family Tragedy: A Full Biographical Profile of the Victims

Before it became the setting for alleged paranormal phenomena, 112 Ocean Avenue was the scene of a mass murder committed by the eldest son, Ronald "Butch" DeFeo Jr. On the night of November 13, 1974, Ronald Jr. systematically shot and killed his entire family while they slept in their beds. His motive remains a subject of intense speculation and debate, with various accounts suggesting drug use, financial disputes, or claims of being driven by "voices."

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The victims of the DeFeo murders were:

• Ronald Joseph DeFeo Sr. (Age 43): The father and head of the household, known for his volatile temper and involvement in a local car dealership. He was found shot in the master bedroom.
• Louise DeFeo (Age 43): The mother, found alongside her husband. She had a tumultuous relationship with her husband and was reportedly struggling with her son's behavior.
• Dawn Theresa DeFeo (Age 18): The eldest daughter. Her involvement in the crime was a point of contention during the trial, though Ronald Jr. was convicted of all six murders.
• Allison Louise DeFeo (Age 13): One of the younger daughters, killed while sleeping.
• Marc Gregory DeFeo (Age 12): One of the two younger sons.
• John Matthew DeFeo (Age 9): The youngest victim of the massacre.

Ronald DeFeo Jr. was convicted in 1975 and sentenced to six concurrent sentences of 25 years to life. He died in prison in 2021, marking the end of the primary figure in the house's tragic history.

The Lutz Haunting and the Enduring 'Amityville Horror' Controversy

The house sat vacant for 13 months after the murders until December 1975, when George and Kathy Lutz purchased the six-bedroom Dutch Colonial for a significantly reduced price of $80,000. The Lutz family—George, Kathy, and her three children from a previous marriage—moved in, fully aware of the DeFeo murders. Their residency, however, lasted only 28 days.

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The family claimed to have experienced terrifying paranormal phenomena, including green slime oozing from walls, levitating objects, strange smells, mysterious cold spots, doors flying open, and George Lutz allegedly waking up at 3:15 AM—the approximate time of the DeFeo murders. These claims were detailed in Jay Anson's 1977 book, *The Amityville Horror*, which became a massive bestseller and spawned a long-running film franchise.

Despite the book's success, the Lutz story has been heavily scrutinized and is now widely considered a hoax. Critics and investigators, including journalists and paranormal researchers, pointed to inconsistencies in the narrative and the financial incentives for the family. William Weber, Ronald DeFeo Jr.'s defense attorney, even claimed he "created this horror story over many bottles of wine" with George Lutz to gain a book deal and potentially help DeFeo's appeal.

The controversy established a powerful duality: the house is a genuine site of a horrific true crime, but its fame as a "haunted house" is largely based on a fabricated narrative. This blend of fact and fiction is what maintains the property's topical authority and its morbid fascination for true crime enthusiasts and horror fans alike.

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The Current Status: Who Lives at 112 Ocean Avenue Today (and What They've Changed)

Since the Lutz family fled, the house has been owned by a succession of private families who have all sought to escape the relentless public attention. The owners following the Lutzes—including Jim and Barbara Cromarty, who bought the house in 1977, and subsequent anonymous families—have consistently reported no paranormal activity, suggesting the "horror" ended when the Lutz family left.

The property has been sold several times over the decades, often at a discounted price due to its notoriety, but it continues to function as a regular family residence. Key facts about the house's modern status include:

• Address Change: To deter sightseers and tourists, the official address of the property was changed from 112 Ocean Avenue to a different number, reportedly 108 Ocean Avenue, though the exact current address is kept highly private by the local government.
• Architectural Renovations: The most significant change was the alteration of the house's iconic look. The famous quarter-round "eye" windows on the third floor, which gave the Dutch Colonial its sinister, recognizable face, were removed or altered by one of the post-Lutz owners to make the house less identifiable. The interior has also undergone major updates and design renovations, further erasing the aesthetic association with the 1979 film.
• Last Known Sale: The house last sold in February 2017 for $605,000 to an undisclosed owner. This price was significantly lower than the original asking price, indicating the stigma still affects the property's market value.
• Current Occupancy (2025): As of today, the house is occupied by a private family. They have experienced the only "scares" being the occasional fanatic or tourist who manages to find the location, which is why the owners strive for extreme privacy.

The house at what was 112 Ocean Avenue stands as a quiet reminder of a horrific past, not a supernatural one. The current residents, like their predecessors, simply want to live in their home, free from the sensationalized legend. The true horror of Amityville remains the cold, hard facts of the DeFeo murders, while the paranormal claims have faded into the realm of Hollywood fiction and pop culture history.

The location’s enduring legacy serves as a powerful case study in how a genuine tragedy can be co-opted and transformed by media and sensationalism. For the current owners, the six-bedroom home is just a house—albeit one with a dark past—and not the demon-infested portal depicted in countless books and films.