The Amityville Horror House — The Most Famous Haunted House in America — Paranormal History

Is the Amityville Horror House Haunted?

The Amityville Horror House at 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York, is where Ronald DeFeo Jr. killed his family of six in 1974. The next owners — the Lutz family — fled after 28 days. The house is still standing. The horror is still real.

The Amityville Horror House stands as one of the most infamous haunted locations in American history, a place where tragedy, mystery, and the supernatural converge to create a legend that has endured for decades. The house, a Dutch Colonial style home built in 1924, sits on a quiet residential street in Amityville, a village on the south shore of Long Island. Its unassuming exterior belies the darkness that has been associated with it since the mid-1970s. The combination of a mass murder, subsequent paranormal claims, and the cultural phenomenon that followed has cemented this address in the annals of haunted history. Whether one believes in the supernatural or not, the story of 112 Ocean Avenue remains a compelling and disturbing tale that continues to captivate and terrify audiences worldwide.

History

The DeFeo Family Tragedy

On November 13, 1974, at approximately 3:15 AM, Ronald DeFeo Jr., then 23 years old, entered the bedrooms of his family and shot each of them with a .35 caliber Marlin rifle. His victims included his parents, Ronald DeFeo Sr. (44) and Louise DeFeo (42), and his four siblings: Dawn (18), Allison (13), Marc (12), and John Matthew (9). All were killed as they slept, and the gunshots were allegedly muffled by pillows. DeFeo initially claimed he discovered the bodies when he returned home from work, but inconsistencies in his story led to his arrest. Under interrogation, he confessed to the murders, claiming he heard voices in the house urging him to kill. He was convicted of six counts of second-degree murder on November 21, 1975, and sentenced to six consecutive life terms in prison. DeFeo died in prison on March 12, 2021, at the age of 69.

The Lutz Family and the 28-Day Haunting

In December 1975, George and Kathleen Lutz, along with their three children, moved into the house at 112 Ocean Avenue, unaware of its recent history. The couple purchased the property for $80,000, significantly below market value due to the murders. Their stay lasted only 28 days before they fled in terror, claiming the house was possessed by malevolent spirits. The Lutzes reported a series of increasingly disturbing events, including unexplained cold spots, green slime oozing from walls, a pair of eyes peering from windows, deep guttural voices, and a crucifix that flipped upside down. They also described encounters with a demonic figure and a creature that appeared in the fireplace. The family left most of their belongings behind, unable to return to the house.

Legal Battles and Cultural Impact

The Amityville Horror story gained widespread attention through Jay Anson’s 1977 book, which became a bestseller and was adapted into a 1979 film starring James Brolin and Margot Kidder. The book and subsequent movies spawned a franchise that included numerous sequels, remakes, and documentaries. However, the story has been plagued by controversy and skepticism. Some former tenants and investigators have accused the Lutzes of fabricating the haunting for financial gain. In 1979, William Weber, the attorney for Ronald DeFeo Jr., filed a lawsuit claiming the Lutzes had collaborated with him to create the haunting story. The case was settled out of court. Despite these controversies, the Amityville Horror remains a cultural touchstone, inspiring countless books, films, and television shows.

The House Today

The house at 112 Ocean Avenue still stands, though it has undergone significant renovations over the years. The current owners have changed the address to 108 Ocean Avenue in an attempt to distance the property from its infamous past. The iconic “eye” windows have been replaced, and the house has been updated with modern amenities. Despite these changes, the location continues to attract paranormal enthusiasts, journalists, and curious visitors. The property has changed hands multiple times since the Lutzes, with each new owner reporting no paranormal activity — a fact that skeptics cite as evidence against the haunting.

The Mystery / Paranormal Activity

The Cold Spots and Temperature Anomalies

One of the earliest and most persistent reports from the Lutz family was the presence of unexplained cold spots throughout the house. These areas of significantly lower temperature were reported even during the winter months when the house was heated. The cold spots were described as moving and changing location, often appearing in specific rooms where the murders had occurred. Modern investigators have documented similar temperature anomalies using thermal imaging cameras, though skeptics attribute these to natural drafts, poor insulation, or the house’s age and construction.

The Green Slime and Oozing Walls

George Lutz described witnessing a thick, green substance oozing from the walls and doorframes of the house. This phenomenon was reportedly witnessed by multiple family members and visitors during their 28-day stay. The substance was described as having a foul odor and appearing despite attempts to clean it. While this claim has been met with significant skepticism, it remains one of the most memorable and disturbing aspects of the Amityville legend. No physical evidence of the substance has ever been recovered, and it has never been independently verified.

The Voices and Demonic Presence

Both the DeFeo family and the Lutzes reported hearing voices in the house. Ronald DeFeo Jr. claimed the voices told him to kill his family, while George and Kathleen Lutz described deep, guttural voices that commanded them to “get out.” The Lutzes also reported feeling a pervasive, oppressive presence throughout the house, describing it as a dark energy that seemed to grow stronger over time. They claimed to have witnessed apparitions, including a figure with red eyes and a demonic entity that appeared in the fireplace. These reports have led many to believe that the house was haunted by demonic forces rather than human spirits.

The Eyes in the Window

One of the most iconic images associated with the Amityville Horror is the pair of glowing eyes seen peering from a second-story window. George Lutz reported seeing these eyes on multiple occasions, describing them as red and menacing. The image of the eyes became synonymous with the Amityville legend and has been featured in numerous books and films. While the original windows have been replaced, visitors and photographers have reported capturing similar phenomena in modern images, though these claims are often disputed.

Evidence and Investigations

Personal Testimonies

The Lutz family’s account remains the primary source of evidence for the haunting. George and Kathleen Lutz have maintained their story for decades, despite widespread skepticism. In interviews, they have described the events in vivid detail, including the physical and emotional toll the experience took on their family. George Lutz stated, “I saw the eyes — two glowing eyes in the window. They were watching me. And then I heard the voice: ‘Get out.’” The family’s willingness to submit to polygraph tests and their consistent retelling of the story have lent credibility to their account, though detractors argue that financial motivations may have influenced their narrative.

Professional Investigations

The Amityville Horror House has been the subject of numerous paranormal investigations. In 1976, a team led by Ed and Lorraine Warren conducted an investigation at the property, documenting unexplained phenomena and claiming to have captured evidence of supernatural activity. The Warrens, renowned paranormal investigators, reported witnessing cold spots, disembodied voices, and other anomalies during their visit. Subsequent investigations by various paranormal teams have yielded mixed results, with some capturing EVPs and thermal anomalies while others found no evidence of supernatural activity.

Expert Opinions and Skepticism

Skepticism surrounding the Amityville Horror is extensive. Joseph Nickell, a paranormal investigator and skeptic, has argued that the Lutzes’ account contains numerous inconsistencies and that many of the reported phenomena could be explained by natural causes. Hans Holzer, a parapsychologist who investigated the case, initially believed the haunting was genuine but later expressed doubts about certain aspects of the story. The scientific community has largely dismissed the Amityville claims, attributing them to a combination of suggestion, psychological stress, and the power of a compelling narrative. However, the sheer volume of reports and the emotional intensity of the accounts continue to fuel debate.

What Do You Think?

The Amityville Horror House presents a complex case for those interested in the paranormal. On one hand, the account of the Lutz family is detailed, consistent, and has been maintained for decades. The fact that they fled the house, leaving behind most of their belongings, suggests that their experience was genuinely traumatic. The combination of physical phenomena — cold spots, slime, voices — and the emotional impact on the family lends credibility to their claims.

On the other hand, the controversy surrounding the story, including the lawsuit by DeFeo’s attorney and the lack of concrete physical evidence, raises legitimate questions. The fact that subsequent owners have reported no paranormal activity and that the house has been renovated without incident further complicates the narrative. Skeptics argue that the Amityville Horror is a cautionary tale about the power of suggestion and the human tendency to find meaning in coincidence.

Ultimately, the truth of the Amityville Horror may lie somewhere between belief and skepticism. The house at 112 Ocean Avenue remains a symbol of the unknown, a place where the boundaries between the natural and supernatural blur. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, the story of the Amityville Horror serves as a reminder that some mysteries may never be fully explained.

Summary

The Amityville Horror House is at 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York
Ronald DeFeo Jr. killed his family of six in 1974, claiming he heard voices in the house
The Lutz family fled after 28 days, reporting cold spots, green slime, voices, and a demonic presence
The house was the subject of a bestselling book and film that spawned a franchise
Bottom line: The Amityville Horror House remains the most famous haunted house in America, with a story that continues to captivate and divide believers and skeptics alike