"I loved my family very much," he said at a 1999 parole hearing, where he also said he had gotten married while in prison. Ronald DeFeo Jr. leaves Suffolk County district court after a hearing, Nov. 15, 1974. Their story inspired the book The Amityville Horror which, in turn, inspired the movies that followed it. The original address of the home when the murders took place was 112 Ocean Ave. but it was eventually changed to 108 Ocean Ave. in order to discourage tourists. A book and two movies the 1979 original, starring James Brolin, Margot Kidder and Rod Steiger, and a 2005 remake portrayed a home with strange voices, walls that oozed slime, furniture that moved on its own, and other supernatural features. DeFeo was 23 when he shot his parents, two sisters and two brothers at their home in Amityville, on Long Island's south shore, on Nov. 13, 1974. A family of 7 paid with their lives, it just took one of them 47yrs to die while the rest went quickly. Ronald Jr mom Louise DeFeo, 43, was the second victim who was shot in the back twice. Ariz. Man Kills Wife and 18-Year-Old Daughter in Murder-Suicide that Left Girl, 12, Wounded, Robert Rosamilio/NY Daily News Archive via Getty, Mass. Butch's fifth victim was his younger brother Marc DeFeo, 12. One year after the murders, George and Kathy Lutz moved into the house. Ronald DeFeo Jr was serving a 25-to-life sentence for the brutal killing of his mom, dad, two sisters and two brothers. Take an exclusive look at the name and renderings for a potential casino, resort and entertainment venue on Coney Island. "Amityville Horror" killer RonaldDeFeo whokilledhis six family members in 1974 on Long Island has died behind bars, according to officials. But the family that was slaughtered there was real. DeFeo was serving a sentence of 25 years to life for the 1974 killings in Amityville, on suburban Long Island. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Constant abuse and family disfunction Defoe Sr. was abusive but the last generation carried the abuse on that a main amount of that generation did, slap your children, beat them down its what they were taught by their parents, so, they didnt know how to understand it so they did what their parents did,,carry it on. (Bettmann via Getty Images). DeFeo, who was 69, was convicted of killing his father, mother, two brothers and two sisters inside their Amityville home in 1974, according to CNN affiliate WABC. The State Department of Corrections and Community Supervisions (SDCCS) spokeswoman said she could not immediately comment on the case. He was 69. Most were undisturbed by any paranormal happenings and instead had to contend with horror movie fanatics who would walk up to or drive by the house to ogle at it. DeFeo was serving a sentence of 25 years to life for shooting and killing his parents and four siblings as they slept in their beds, the he New York state Department of Corrections and Community Services told PEOPLE. DeFeo was serving a sentence of 25 years to life in the 1974 killings in Amityville, on suburban Long Island. During his trial in October 1975, Ronald Jr claimed he killed his family in self-defence after hearing "voices". We will never know for sure, we can only come up with theories and maybes to explain it because rational minds can comprehend someone killing their mom, dad and their brothers and sisters. Ronald DeFeo Jr was convicted of murdering his parents Louise and Ronald DeFeo Sr and his four siblings Dawn, Allison, Marc and John. He was 69. Amityville, N.Y.: Exterior of the house (known as the "Amityville Horror") where Ronald DeFeo murdered his family, taken on Nov.14, 1974. In 1990 he filed a 440 motion claiming Dawn alongside another assailant killed the family and he later killed Dawn by accident during a struggle. The man had accumulated an arsenal of guns, using the stipend from his father and the money he'd stolen from the dealership. 2023 Cable News Network. He unsuccessfully sought a retrial in 1992, claiming that his 18-year-old sister killed the other five family members and that he then shot her. After a total renovation, the Amityville house was put back on the market and sold at a loss for $605,000. He said an alleged hitman, Louis Falini, had murdered and claimed that he might be in danger, too. Try again. March 15, 2021 / 7:59 PM DeFeo, who went by the nickname Butch, was eligible for a parole hearing in July. "It was orchestrated to help with a potential demonic defense for the son who murdered his family.". Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). All of the victims were found face-down in bed. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Please reset your password. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Mother of the DeFeo family and wife of Ronald DeFeo, Sr. (Don Jacobsen/Newsday RM via Getty Images). This website uses cookies to improve your experience. The creepy events served as the inspiration for the 1977 book The Amityville Horror and, two years later, the cult classic film The Amityville Horror, starring James Brolin and Margot Kidder. Butch didnt run into a police station saying he found his parents shot, he ran into a bar a got his friend, the bar owner, and 2 others to go to the house. Fox News Flash top headlines for March 15. . Failed to report flower. Maybe Butch had a reason, maybe he was sick and twisted,, maybe there was abuse going on behind doors, maybe there was spirits that caused it, or maybe there were00 others that helped him and have gotten away with it for a long time. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. They reportedly lasted only 28 days there, claiming to have witnessed paranormal activity like odd noises, voices and green slime oozing from the walls. Still, the house, which has been passed off to other owners over the years, remains a sinister piece of history in Amityville and continues to elicit fear in people. Early in the police investigation, DeFeo lied to authorities stating he believed the murders were mob-related. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Year should not be greater than current year. (Newsday/Getty Images). Because of DeFeo's claims, however, many have believed that the Amityville house is haunted and that it can control its inhabitants. DeFeo, nicknamed Butch, who was 23 at the time, admitted he was an LSD and heroin user but he was deemed safe at the time of the attack. Officials said DeFeo was transported to Albany Medical Center and was pronounced dead on March 12 at 6:35 p.m. To celebrate, he enjoyed the night on Bourbon Street. Download for FREE! The Albany County Coroner's Office, tasked with determining what caused his death, said it doesn't release such information, except to relatives of the dead. The death was . DeFeowas transferred to Albany Medical Center and pronounced dead at 6:35 p.m. Ronald DeFeo in court in June 1992 during a hearing seeking a new trial on charges he murdered his family in Amityville, N.Y. in 1974. Ray Liuzza, a 34-year-old businessman, was recently promoted to Vice President of a hotel. March 15 (UPI) -- Ronald DeFeo Jr., whose 1974 murders of his Long Island, N.Y., family inspired the horror movie franchise The Amityville Horror, has died in prison at age 69, state. However, the next day, Ronald admitted to killing all his six family members himself. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Ronald DeFeo, 69, died Friday at Albany Medical Center, where he was taken Feb. 2 from a prison in New York's Catskill Mountains, the state Department of Corrections and Community Services said. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. Prosecutors confirmed during Ronald Jr's trial that Marc was shot face down in bed. During his trial, DeFeo attempted to invoke the insanity defense, stating that he had heard voices in the house that encouraged him to murder his family. Sorry! Over the course of time DeFeo has changed his version of the story multiple times. His insanity plea wasn't accepted, however, and in 1965, he was found guilty on six counts of murder and sentenced to six separate 25-years-to-life sentences. The horrifying murders inspired the 1977 book The Amityville Horror, A True Story. A Boeing employee has been identified as the winner of the record-breaking Powerball jackpot that was drawn on Feb. 6. Family members linked to this person will appear here. The home became the basis of a horror-movie classic after another family briefly lived there about a year after the killings and claimed the house was haunted. I feel for the family, no matter what the sick, twisted, and demented reason was behind the deaths. ). Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) The man convicted of slaughtering his parents and four siblings in a home that later inspired the "The Amityville Horror" book and movies has died, prison officials said Monday. Now, it is no longer for sale, but it wouldn't be surprising if the current owners find a reason to place it on the market once again. Two years later followed a cult classic film starring James Brolin, Margot Kidder, Rod Steiger and Murray Hamilton. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? Fans Searching for Legendary Actor Tom Sizemores Death Cause, The Shadows of Knight Singer Jimmy Sohns Cause of Death. Nicknamed "Big Ronnie" he was married to Louise DeFeo and had five children. Everyone is wondering how did a murderer, Ronald DeFeo Jr, die? 9:38 PM EDT, Mon March 15, 2021. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. The insanity plea was supported by the psychiatrist for the defence but the psychiatrist for the prosecution said although DeFeowas an LSD and heroin user, he had an antisocial personality disorder,meaning he was fully aware of his actions at the time of the attack. He unsuccessfully sought a retrial in 1992, claiming that his 18-year-old sister killed the other five family members and that he then shot her. pic.twitter.com/an1LVWXQfH. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. An autopsy . I thought you might like to see a memorial for Ronald DeFeo Jr. Born to Ronald and Louise DeFeo, his father was a successful automobile salesman for his family's Brooklyn dealership. His cause of death was not immediately available, but it will be determined and released by the Albany County Medical Examiners Office and is at that offices discretion whether the results will be made publicly available, the spokesperson said. DeFeo had been at the Albany Medical Center on March 12, 2021, when he was declared dead. Get breaking news alerts in the FOX 5 NY News app. DeFeo gunned down his family using a .35-caliber Marlin lever-action rifle, inside their home on Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York, on November 13, 1974. Mother of the DeFeo family and wife of Ronald DeFeo, Sr. She was murdered, along with the rest of her family, by her eldest son, Ronald Jr., on November 13, 1974. Learn More Here, From the Cecil Hotel to The Stanley Hotel, These Are the Most Haunted Hotels in America. GREAT NEWS! In a 1986 interview for Newsday he blamed his sister Dawn for the brutal killings. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. He later confessed to the murders, was tried, found guilty, and incarcerated. In a jailhouse interview in 2006, DeFeo claimed he only killed his father, his mother and his eldest sister, Dawn. DeFeo was serving a sentence of 25 years to life in the 1974 killings in Amityville, on suburban Long Island. On March 12, 2021, it was announced that Ronald DeFeo Jr., known as the Amityville Horror killer, died while he was still incarcerated for the murders of six of his family members. Ronald DeFeo Jr. killed his parents, sisters and brothers in Amityville, New York, in 1974. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. According a 1974 report in The New York Times, the DeFeos were considered, in the words of one neighbor, "a nice, normal family." Ronald DeFeo Jr., the killer in "The Amityville Horror" case, has died, according to a spokesperson for the New York State prisons department. DeFeo had been at the Albany Medical Center on March 12, 2021, when he was declared dead. . But maybe this is because of the special situation of the mass murderer.. I dont think anyone knows what went on in that house but those that lived there. His cause of death was not released. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. The New York man convicted of gruesomely killing his siblings and parents in 1974 and subsequently inspiring the Amityville Horror franchise has died. cemeteries found in will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Ronald Joseph DeFeo Jr. (September 26, 1951 - March 12, 2021) was an American mass murderer who was tried and convicted for the 1974 killings of his father, mother, two brothers, and two sisters in Amityville, Long Island, New York. Small detail, but important if you entertain he didnt do this alone. Murder Victim. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Is Nanci Griffiths Cause of Death Related to a Health Problem? Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. Father and Son Sentenced to Life in Prison For Federal Hate Crimes in Killing of Ahmaud Arbery, The True Story Behind Netflix's 'The Good Nurse', The Man These Siblings Say Shot Them Is Behind Bars But Kim Kardashian Wants Him to Go Free, Man Gets Life inPrison for Killing Girlfriend's Parents After Disputes About Covid Social Distancing. DeFeo had pursued an insanity defense at his trial, saying he heard voices that drove him to kill his family. Officials didn't release the cause of his death at the time, which only led to people wondering more about his death, which appeared to be sudden and unexpected. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Officials said DeFeo was transferred to Albany Medical Center and was pronounced dead on March 12 at 6:35 p.m. An autopsy by the Albany County Medical Examiner's Office will rule an official cause of death. A year after the slaughter, George and Kathy Lutz purchased the home but left 28 days later after reporting paranormal activity in the house, including strange sounds, voices and green slime oozing from the walls, according to real estate site 6sqft. Verify and try again. He was a mass murderer who shot and killed his mother and father, two sisters, and two brothers inside their home. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. She was 43 years old. He was taken to the hospital from a prison in the Catskill Mountains on Feb. 2, state prison officials confirmed to PEOPLE. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, When I saw it; Derek said the sister killed them. A book and the resulting film franchise including the 1979 original with James Brolin, Margot Kidder and Rod Steiger; several sequels; and a 2005 remake with Ryan Reynolds portrayed a home with strange voices, walls that oozed slime, furniture that moved on its own and other supernatural features. Resend Activation Email. Cuz they hated him. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Some theories of why he did it include the multiple drugs and alcohol he was on, being possessed by demons and the many fights with his family. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. 2023 FOX Television Stations, slaughtering his parents and four siblings, Frederick, MD tanker explosion leaves 1 dead; Shuts down part of US-15, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' Actor, Dies at 61 after suffering brain aneurysm, Study: NFL players who experience concussions may exhibit cognitive failure later in life. Make sure that the file is a photo. DeFeo had claimed as much during his defense, but he was found guilty of murder and was serving out six sentences of 25 years to life in prison when he died. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. you should see the photos Mike Massalineo has. The New York man convicted of gruesomely killing his siblings and parents in 1974 and subsequently inspiring the Amityville Horror franchise has died. The Albany County Coroner's Office, tasked with determining what caused his death, said it doesn't release such information, except to relatives of the dead. A book and two movies the 1979 original, starring James Brolin, Margot Kidder and Rod Steiger, and a 2005 remake portrayed a home with strange voices, walls that oozed slime, furniture that moved on its own, and other supernatural features. Killed his whole family on the night of November 13, 1974. The NYPD is looking for the suspect they said shot a driver, who was stopped at a Bronx gas station, in the head during an attempted robbery. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. The killer's last victim was the family's youngest child, John DeFeo, 9. Failed to delete memorial. Oops, something didn't work. It is believed the 13-year-old girl was awake at the time of her death when she received a bullet in her head. The heinous acts, which occurred in 1974, inspired the "Amityville Horror" book and film series. Did Ex Vikings CB Jeff Gladneys Cause of Death Clarify? Actress Rebel Wilson recently revealed she was banned from the Happiest Place on Earth for 30 days over a selfie she took in a "secret bathroom.". People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Although there have been other claims of the supernatural occurring at the Amityville house, there are former residents of the house who claim nothing of the sort happened to them. DeFeo whose murderous spree served as the inspiration behind the The Amityville Horror book and movie franchise died Friday while serving a 25-years-to-life sentence at Sullivan Correctional Facility in Fallsburg, New York, according to the state Department of Corrections. His victims are all buried atSaint Charles CemeteryinFarmingdale. At the time, the listing agent Gerald O'Neill told PEOPLE that locally, the story is known as "The Amityville Hoax. Monique Samuels Divorce Rumors From Chris After 10 Years! (Photo by Stan Wolfson/Newsday RM via Getty Images). . based on information from your browser. DeFeo, 69, was pronounced dead at 6:35 p.m. Friday at the Albany Medical Center, state corrections officials said in a statement. A year after the slaughter, George and Kathy Lutz purchased the home, they claimed that they had been forced to leave the house after noticing strange sounds, voices and green slime oozing from the walls, less than a month after moving in. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Infamous "Amityville Horror" killer Ronald DeFeo died in a New York hospital last week of unknown causes at the age of 69. This case inspired the book and movie The Amityville Horror.. DeFeo gunned down his family using a .35-caliber Marlin lever-action rifle, inside their home on Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York, on November 13, 1974. The cause of death was not immediately known. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. DeFeo unsuccessfully sought a retrial in 1992, claiming that his 18-year-old sister killed the five other family members and that he then shot her. The killer shot his parents twice while all the children had been killed with a single shot. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. To use this feature, use a newer browser. Ronald DeFeo Jr was serving a 25-to-life sentence for the brutal killing of his mom, dad, two sisters and two brothers. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. All victims were found in the same position, face down in bed. American Criminal. The cause of his death wasn't immediately known.DeFeo was serving a sentence of 25 years to life in the 1974 killings in Amityville, on suburban Long Island.The home became the basis of a horror . Ronald Jr., the oldest of five children frequently argued violently with his father. Ronald DeFeos death news was revealed on March 12. DeFeo, whose nickname was Butch, was convicted of killing his mother, father, two sisters and two brothers inside their Amityville home on Ocean Avenue on Nov. 13, 1974. On December 4, Judge Thomas Stark handed down six sentences of 25 years to life. Ronald DeFeo Changes His Story Over the years, DeFeo changed his story many times. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. DeFeo, 69, who was serving a 25-to-life sentence at Sullivan Correctional Facility, was found dead on Friday, March 12, 2021, at the Albany Medical Center. Born Louise Brigante, she was a former model and it was believed she was dating singer Mel Torme before her marriage to Ronald Sr. Ronald Jr also killed his 18-year-old sister Dawn, who he later blamed for the killings of the rest of the family. Ronald DeFeo exits Suffolk County Police Headquarters in Hauppauge, New York, Nov. 14, 1974. Copyright 2023 Distractify. All six victims were later buried in St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale. "Amityville Horror" killer Ronald DeFeo -- who killed his six family members in 1974 on Long Island -- has died behind bars, according to officials. He was 69. All Rights Reserved. His father worked as a Buick . Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? / CBS Detroit. Ronald DeFeo at a court hearing in 1992 - he died on Friday at the age of 69 while serving life for the murders of his parents and four siblings in Amityville, New York Credit: Getty The 1974. All Rights Reserved. Over the years in interviews, DeFeo stated several unsubstantiated explanations of what happened including blaming his sister Dawn for killing their siblings and attempting to kill him, which resulted in DeFeo killing her in self-defense. Great Author Bob Proctor Passed Away at 88, Autopsy Result Clarifying Prophet TB Joshuas Cause of Death, The Star Dakota Skyes Cause of Sudden Death is Unknown, Suicide Led to TikToker Leah Cantillons Death at a Young Age, Secret Behind Cesar Millans Juniors Cause of Death is Private, Kings Gate CoFounder Rob Skibas Cause of Death is Unknown Yet. In 2016, the infamous five-bedroom, 3-bathroom Colonial home where the bloodbath took place hit the market for $850,000 and went into contract months later. Brooklyn, Kings County (Brooklyn), New York, USA. George and Kathy Lutz and their three children moved into the house after the DeFeo murders but left after living there for under a month, citing paranormal activity. He claimed that what led to the killings was their father's regular abuse and it was initially Dawn's idea, who killed their siblings first. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Ronald DeFeo Jr was serving a 25-to-life sentence for killing his entire family in 1974, DeFeo, who was 23 at the time, claimed 'voices' inside his head prompted him to kill his family, James Brolin and Margot Kidder star in 1979 trailer for The Amityville Horror, Fury as Brit mum faces life in jail for backing Hong Kong democracy under China's chilling freedom of speech crackdown, Boris Johnson unveils bumper post-Brexit vision for defence as he vows more nukes to keep nation safe, Prince Philip, 99, leaves hospital in good spirits and waves as he returns to Windsor Castle two weeks after heart op, ISIS using Covid lockdown to brainwash Brit kids in their bedrooms with VIDEO GAMES to make them lone wolf attackers, Former NFL star Keyshawn Johnson announces death of daughter Maia aged just 25 leaving family heartbroken, Woman flashed by man after Sarah Everard vigil claims cop told her 'I don't want to deal with rioters'. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Speaking to Ric Osuna, the author of The Night The DeFeos Died, in November 2000, DeFeo confessed that along with his sister Dawn and two of his friends he'd planned the murders of the family"out of desperation". Please enter your email and password to sign in. This was further exasperated with the usage of LSD and heroin by DeFeo . This story first appeared in the New York Post. All rights reserved. He then claimed he knocked her unconscious on to her bed and shot her in the head. Market data provided by Factset. 2. Whats Legendary Jazz Saxophonist Wayne Shorters Death Cause? Distractify is a registered trademark. The convicted murderer was transferred to Albany Medical Center and pronounced dead at 6:35 p.m. An autopsy by the Albany County Medical Examiners Office will determine an official cause of death. The cause of death will be determined by the Albany County Medical Examiner's Office, the spokeswoman said. Add to your scrapbook. DeFeodied Friday while serving a 25 years-to-life sentence at Sullivan Correctional facility in Fallsburg,New York, officials told Newsday. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. I think a horrible family tragedy sparked a twisted mind to figure out how to make money off of it with their theories and story plot and we the people ate it up! Investigators found his story to be full of discrepancies and his guilt was further substantiated with the uncovering of evidence linking him to the crimes. Maybe you are right and they dont release Ronald DeFeos cause of death over a cover-up. DeFeo had pursued an insanity defense at his trial, saying he heard voices that drove him to kill his family. Condemned to six sentences of 25 years to life, DeFeo died in prison on March 12, 2021. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Find Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok profiles, images and more on IDCrawl - free people search website. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Ronald "Butch" DeFeo, who committed the murders at the heart of the Amityville Horror book and movies, has died in New York state custody. He was a PI on the case. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! 2021 Associated Press. Failed to remove flower. So what do you think about it? All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Both parents were shot twice, while the siblings were each shot once. ALBANY, N.Y. - The man convicted of slaughtering his parents and four siblings in a home that later inspired the "The Amityville Horror" book and movies has died, prison officials said Monday. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. He used that rifle to kill his mother, his father, his two brothers and his two sisters. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? The Albany County Coroner's Office, which is responsible for determining what caused his death, said it doesn't release such information except to relatives of the dead. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Ronald DeFeo died on Friday. George Lutz told ABC News in 2006 that some scenes in the book and movie including the green slime were embellished. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? He died Friday, March 12. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. DeFeo, who was 69, was convicted of killing his father, mother, two brothers and two sisters inside their Amityville home in 1974, according to CNN affiliate WABC. DeFeo was scheduled for a parole hearing in July, online DOC records show.