Amityville Horror House

A Brief History: The infamous house sits in Amityville, New York. The large home was constructed in 1925 on a narrow strip of property. On November 13, 1974 the residence became the scene of gruesome horror. Ronald Joseph DeFeo Sr, his wife Louise, and their children John, Marc, Dawn, and Allison were found shot to death in their bedrooms. Initially taken to a police station for his own protection, Ronald “Butch” DeFeo Jr was charged with the murders after detectives discovered holes in his stories. During his trial he claimed to have committed the murders because he heard their voices plotting against him. He was convicted of 6 counts of Second Degree Murder and sentenced to 6 consecutive counts of 25 years to life.

Thirteen months later on December 18, 1975 the Lutz family moved into the house on Ocean Avenue. The claims of the paranormal began shortly afterwards. The family asked a priest, Father Ralph Pecoraro to bless the home. In his book on the haunting, Jay Anson claimed the priest who renamed Father Mancusco was harassed by evil forces and told to “Get Out” of the home. However, according to the church this never happened. The Lutz family claimed that throughout their time at the home evil forces menaced them. Some of the claims were rooms filling with flies, the front door being ripped off the hinges, disembodied voices, cold spots, and dealing with “Jodie” a red eyed pig looking creature. The family moved out after living in the home for only 28 days.

Haunted History: The Amityville Horror is subject to much controversy. The Lutz family brought in paranormal investigators to check out the property. He hoped to get others to agree with his claims for Jay Anson’s upcoming book about the subject. The first group brought in was the Parapsychology Institute of America. This organization was run by Stephen Kaplan Ph.D. and his wife Roxanne. According to Mrs. Kaplan, the first time P.I.A. was in the house was during the auction of the Lutzes property, after they had moved out. They were in the house several times after that as well. Mrs. Kaplan also stated to us, “When George realized that Stephen would tell the truth of whatever we did or did not find, he cancelled our investigation, only to call in the Warrens, Hans Holzer, and a TV crew from Ch. 5.”

The Warren’s claimed that the home was haunted. Lorraine Warren claimed that she clairvoyantly felt evil presences in the home. She said that these feeling began before even arriving at the home. She even felt that she encountered the spirit of Ronald DeFeo on the third floor of the home. Warren claimed afterwards that feeling was so sinister she knew it could never be forced from the home. Ed Warren claimed to have encountered shadow like beings in the basement. He felt that these shadows were first trying to push him to the ground, and then trying to lift him up off it. Using the power of prayer he commanded the spirits to leave him alone.

What exactly happened in the home on Ocean Avenue in Amityville who’s to say for sure? There are so many varying claims and opinions it is difficult to say. The claim that the house was built on Native American burial grounds and thus dooming it to evil hauntings seems unfounded. While the truth may be out there, we may never know the full complete story.