Amityville murder house still draws attention nearly five decades later

Nearly 50 years have passed since a family home in Amityville, New York, became the scene of a mass murder that shocked the nation. The crime inspired numerous movies and books exploring theories that the property was haunted by the spirits of the six family members who died there.

"The Amityville Horror" entered true-crime lore through a book published in 1977 and a subsequent film adaptation in 1979 starring Margot Kidder and James Brolin. Since then, several sequels have been released, including "Amityville: Where the Echo Lives," which premiered in October 2024.

The real-life murders occurred on November 13, 1974, when Ronald DeFeo Jr. shot and killed his parents and four siblings inside their Dutch Colonial home. DeFeo was convicted of six counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. He died in prison in March 2021.

Following these events, George and Kathy Lutz purchased the house but left after just 28 days, claiming they experienced paranormal phenomena. Their story became the basis for "The Amityville Horror" book and movie.

Over time, the property has changed ownership multiple times. In an effort to distance it from its past, its address was changed from 112 Ocean Avenue to 108 Ocean Avenue. Despite this change, interest in its history persists.

In recent years, no reports of paranormal activity have surfaced from new owners like Jim and Barbara Cromarty or Kirk and Erin Hurme. The house remains a point of fascination for fans of horror films inspired by its dark history.