Inside the ‘Amityville Horror’ house today, Long Island’s most notorious mansion

By | March 16, 2021

One of the country’s most famously creepy houses is back in the news.

Ronald DeFeo Jr., the notorious killer at the “Amityville Horror” house — a dwelling whose mystique continues to fascinate the public in the wake of a subsequent book and film franchise — died in prison Friday at 69.  

DeFeo, whose nickname was Butch, spread terror across Long Island following the gruesome 1974 slaying of his family at their home at 108 Ocean Ave. 

The home — its original address was 112 Ocean Ave. but was changed to 108 to deter tourists — was purchased by George and Kathy Lutz one year after the murders. But they ditched the property after only one month due to reported paranormal activity, which inspired a 1977 book and 1979 movie.

On Nov. 13, 1974, DeFeo — who was 23 at the time — shot and killed his parents, Ronald and Louise DeFeo, both 43, and his two brothers and two sisters, ranging in age from 9 to 18.

The house has been on the market four different times since the murders. It was last listed in June 2016 and sold in March 2017 for $ 605,000, according to property records. 

The Post has reached out to the current owners for comment.

Scroll through the photos below to see both past and present shots of the infamous home. 

The property is made up of five bedrooms and four bathrooms.
A photo of the exterior of the home was taken in 2017.
Realtor.com
Two members of the Suffolk County Coroner's Office remove one of six bodies that were found shot in Amityville, N.Y., Nov. 14, 1974.
Two members of the Suffolk County Coroner’s Office remove one of six bodies that were found shot in Amityville, NY, on Nov. 14, 1974.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The siding of the home has since been renovated.
The siding of the home, which includes a terrace, has since been renovated.
Alamy Stock Photo
In this Nov. 14, 1974 file photo, police and members of the Suffolk County Coroner's Office investigate the murder of six people found shot in Amityville, N.Y.
In this Nov. 14, 1974, file photo, police and members of the Suffolk County Coroner’s Office investigate the murder of six people found shot in Amityville, on Long Island.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The formal dining room.
The formal dining room.
Kevin Wohlers – KJW Photography
The formal living room.
The formal living room.
Kevin Wohlers – KJW Photography
Three level of stairs that lead to all five bedrooms.
Three levels of stairs that lead to all five bedrooms.
Kevin Wohlers – KJW Photography
The sun room with a breakfast area.
The sun room with a breakfast area.
Kevin Wohlers – KJW Photography
The foyer opens out to the living area and staircase.
The foyer opens out to the living area and dining room.
Kevin Wohlers – KJW Photography

Described as a “Stately Center Hall Colonial,” the home is made up of five bedrooms and four bathrooms. 

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The property sits on Amityville River and features a large boat house with a boat slip and two-car garage. 

Renovations of the property took place as recently as October. 

The master bedroom.
The master bedroom.
Kevin Wohlers – KJW Photography
One of five bedrooms where the children were murdered.
One of five bedrooms where the family was murdered.
Kevin Wohlers – KJW Photography
Another bedroom.
Another bedroom.
Kevin Wohlers – KJW Photography
The stairs that lead to the foyer.
The stairs that lead to the foyer.
Kevin Wohlers – KJW Photography
The kitchen.
The kitchen.
Kevin Wohlers – KJW Photography
The boat slip.
The boat slip.
Kevin Wohlers – KJW Photography
The river dock behind the home; 2017.
The river dock behind the home in 2017.
Realtor.com
A police department diver enters the swimming pool at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ronald DeFeo in Amityville, N.Y., Nov. 14, 1974. The police were searching for the gun used to kill the middle-aged couple and four of their children. The victims were found shot to death in their beds on Wednesday evening, November 13. (AP Photo)
A police department diver enters the swimming pool at the home of Ronald and Louise DeFeo in Amityville on Nov. 14, 1974. The police were searching for the gun used to kill the middle-aged couple and four of their children.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The boat house with a two-door garage.
The separate boat house with a two-door garage.
Realtor.com

Built in 1925, the single-family home sits on a 10,900-square-foot lot.

DeFeo Jr. was convicted in 1975 of six counts of second-degree murder and received six sentences of 25 years to life.

He was serving his sentence at Sullivan Correctional Facility in Fallsburg, New York, when he died. He had been transferred to Albany Medical Center and pronounced dead at 6:35 p.m.

An autopsy is underway. 

A manicured garden area leading up to the garage.
A manicured garden and patio area lead up to the garage.
Realtor.com
The terrace.
The terrace.
Kevin Wohlers – KJW Photography
Another view of the Amityville house today.
Another view of the infamous Amityville house today.
Realtor.com
Ronald DeFeo Jr., center, leaves Suffolk County district court after a hearing, Nov. 15, 1974. DeFeo was ordered held without bail on one count of second-degree murder. He is accused of shooting his parents, two brothers and two sisters to death in their sleep on early Wednesday, November 13, at their home in Amityville, N.Y. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Ronald DeFeo Jr., center, leaves Suffolk County district court after a hearing on Nov. 15, 1974.
AP

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