The Amityville Horror

On December 18, 1975, the Lutz family moved into 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York - a house where Ronald DeFeo Jr. had murdered his entire family just 13 months earlier. Twenty-eight days later, the Lutzes fled, claiming they had experienced a terrifying haunting. Their story became one of the most famous - and controversial - paranormal cases in history.

The DeFeo Murders

November 13, 1974:

• Ronald DeFeo Jr.
• Killed six family members
• As they slept
• With rifle
• Claimed demonic voices

The Lutz Family

New owners:

• George Lutz
• Kathy Lutz
• Three children
• Newlyweds
• Knew house history

The House

112 Ocean Avenue:

• Dutch Colonial
• Distinctive windows (“eyes”)
• Bought at discount
• Furnished partially
• Scene of murders

Moving In

December 18, 1975:

• Priest blessed house
• Allegedly experienced trouble
• Told to “GET OUT”
• Family unaware
• Moved in anyway

The Claims

The Lutzes reported:

• Green slime on walls
• Swarms of flies (winter)
• Demonic pig creature
• Temperature extremes
• Foul smells

Personality Changes

George Lutz:

• Became obsessed with fireplace
• Woke at 3:15 AM
• (Time of murders)
• Personality altered
• Aggressive behavior

Kathy’s Experiences

She reportedly:

• Levitated from bed
• Scratched by unseen force
• Saw red eyes outside
• Nightmares constant
• Terrified

The Children

They experienced:

• Imaginary friend “Jodie”
• A pig-like creature
• Behavioral changes
• Nightmares
• Sensed presences

The Departure

January 14, 1976:

• 28 days after moving in
• Family fled
• Left belongings
• Never returned
• Traumatized

The Investigation

Ed and Lorraine Warren:

• Investigated house
• Took “demon photograph”
• Confirmed haunting
• High-profile involvement
• Added credibility (to some)

The Book

“The Amityville Horror”:

• Jay Anson wrote
• 1977 publication
• Bestseller
• “True story”
• Cultural phenomenon

The Films

Multiple adaptations:

• 1979 original
• 2005 remake
• Various sequels
• Franchise created
• Iconic status

Skeptical Investigation

Critics found:

• Timeline inconsistencies
• Weather record contradictions
• Lawyer involvement
• Financial motives
• Possible hoax

William Weber

DeFeo’s lawyer:

• Met with Lutzes
• Discussed book deal
• Later claimed collaboration
• “Made it up over wine”
• Controversial statement

The Lutzes’ Position

Family maintained:

• Events occurred
• Not fabricated
• Traumatized for life
• George died 2006
• Kathy died 2004

Subsequent Owners

Later residents:

• Reported no phenomena
• Lived normally
• Some annoyed by legend
• House still stands
• Address changed

Significance

Amityville is significant for:

• Cultural impact
• Debate over truth
• Case study in claims
• Media phenomenon
• Haunted house archetype

Legacy

Whether true or fabricated, the Amityville Horror has become the definitive American haunted house story. It has influenced countless horror films, sparked endless debate, and remains a touchstone of paranormal pop culture.