7 Shocking Truths And Latest Updates About 112 Ocean Avenue: The Amityville Horror House In 2025

The house at 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York, remains one of the most notorious addresses in American history, forever cemented in the public consciousness by the gruesome 1974 DeFeo family murders and the subsequent 'Amityville Horror' haunting claims. As of this current date, December 15, 2025, the house still stands, occupied by residents attempting to live a normal life in the shadow of a dark and sensationalized past, with the 50th anniversary of the tragedy having recently passed, renewing interest in the true story versus the Hollywood legend.

The story of 112 Ocean Avenue is a complex tapestry woven from mass murder, paranormal claims, and decades of intense media scrutiny. While the initial tragedy is undeniable, the subsequent 'haunting' narrative that captivated millions through books and films continues to be a source of controversy, with new details and the death of the convicted killer, Ronald DeFeo Jr., bringing a finality to one chapter of this chilling saga. This deep-dive explores the facts, the fiction, and the current status of the world's most famous "haunted" colonial mansion.

The DeFeo Family Tragedy: A Timeline and Key Figures

The true horror of 112 Ocean Avenue began not with ghosts, but with a brutal mass murder on November 13, 1974. The victims were six members of the DeFeo family, all shot in their beds while they slept.

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Key Figures in the DeFeo Murders

• Ronald DeFeo Sr. (43): Father and victim.
• Louise DeFeo (43): Mother and victim.
• Dawn DeFeo (18): Daughter and victim.
• Allison DeFeo (13): Daughter and victim.
• Marc DeFeo (12): Son and victim.
• John Matthew DeFeo (9): Son and victim.
• Ronald "Butch" DeFeo Jr. (23): Eldest son and convicted killer.

Ronald DeFeo Jr., known as "Butch," was the sole survivor and perpetrator. He confessed to using a .35-caliber lever action Marlin rifle to carry out the murders, claiming during his trial that "voices" had compelled him to commit the heinous act.

The motive for the crime remains a topic of debate, with theories ranging from drug use and financial disputes to the insanity defense he unsuccessfully employed.

DeFeo Jr. was convicted on six counts of second-degree murder in 1975 and sentenced to six concurrent sentences of 25 years to life. A significant update to the story occurred in March 2021 when Ronald DeFeo Jr. died at the age of 69 while serving his sentence in state prison, closing the final legal chapter on the original crime.

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The 'Amityville Horror' Phenomenon: Fact vs. Fiction

Thirteen months after the DeFeo murders, the house was purchased by George and Kathy Lutz and their three children in December 1975.

The Lutz family claimed they were driven out of the house after only 28 days due to terrifying paranormal incidents, including strange smells, green slime oozing from walls, levitating objects, and the house's infamous "eye" windows watching them. This 28-day ordeal became the basis for Jay Anson's 1977 bestseller, The Amityville Horror: A True Story, and the subsequent blockbuster film franchise.

Key Entities and Controversies

• The Lutz Family: George Lutz, Kathy Lutz, and her three children from a previous marriage. They fled the house on January 14, 1976.
• Father Pecoraro (Father Mancuso): The priest who allegedly attempted to bless the house and was warned by a voice to "GET OUT!"
• The Hoax Theory: The most persistent and compelling counter-narrative suggests the haunting was a lucrative hoax. Court transcripts and statements from key figures, including William Weber (DeFeo Jr.'s defense attorney), indicate that the paranormal story was fabricated by the Lutzes and Weber over many bottles of wine.
• Disputes Over Accuracy: The book's claim that the house remained empty for 13 months after the murders has been fact-checked, and various elements of the haunting narrative have been heavily disputed by investigators and former residents.

The debate over whether the house was truly haunted or if the events were an elaborate fabrication continues to fuel public fascination, ensuring the Amityville Horror remains a cultural touchstone. The controversy itself serves as a powerful engine for the legend, blurring the lines between true crime and supernatural fiction.

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112 Ocean Avenue Today: What Happened to the Infamous House?

Despite its horrifying reputation, the three-story Dutch Colonial revival mansion on Ocean Avenue has been continuously occupied by various owners since the Lutz family fled in 1976.

The Current Status of the Amityville House

The current residents live a private life, and the property is heavily protected from the constant stream of tourists and curiosity seekers. To discourage unwanted attention and maintain their privacy, several key changes have been made over the decades:

1. The Address Change: The most significant change was the official alteration of the house's street address. The exact new number is not publicly disclosed to protect the current owners, but the property is no longer officially 112 Ocean Avenue. This address change is a common tactic for owners of infamous true crime or "haunted" properties.

2. Architectural Modifications: The house's exterior has been deliberately altered to look less like the iconic image from the films. The most famous feature—the two quarter-round attic windows that resembled menacing "eyes"—have been replaced or significantly modified to look like standard rectangular windows.

3. Multiple Owners: The house has changed hands several times since the Lutzes, with owners including the Cromarty family, the O'Neills, and the D'Antonio family, none of whom reported any paranormal activity that matched the sensational claims of the book. The house was last reported to be sold in 2017 for a price around $605,000.

4. The 50th Anniversary: The 50-year anniversary of the DeFeo family tragedy in November 2024 brought a fresh wave of media coverage, reminding the world of the house's dark history and the lasting impact of the Amityville murders.

In 2025, the house at 112 Ocean Avenue stands as a physical testament to the power of storytelling. While the tragic mass murder committed by Ronald DeFeo Jr. is a grim fact, the house's reputation as a terrifyingly haunted location is largely a commercialized legend. It remains a private residence, a suburban home on Long Island, forever burdened by a history that continues to intrigue and terrify generations.