The Amityville Horror House: 5 Chilling New Facts About 112 Ocean Avenue In 2025
The legend of 112 Ocean Avenue, the infamous "Amityville Horror" house, continues to captivate the world, not just as a ghost story, but as a chilling piece of true crime history. As of late
The core of the Amityville story is the brutal 1974 mass murder of the DeFeo family, a crime committed by the eldest son, Ronald "Butch" DeFeo Jr. The subsequent claims of paranormal activity by the next occupants, George and Kathy Lutz, gave rise to the global phenomenon known as *The Amityville Horror*. With the death of Ronald DeFeo Jr. in 2021 and a new wave of documentaries and investigations, the focus has shifted to the enduring mystery of the crime itself and the definitive debunking of the supernatural claims.
The DeFeo Family Tragedy: A Complete Biography of the Victims
The horrifying events of November 13, 1974, at 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, Long Island, New York, saw the systematic murder of six members of the DeFeo family. Ronald DeFeo Jr., then 23, used a .35 caliber Marlin rifle to shoot his entire family as they slept in their beds. The victims were:
- Ronald Joseph DeFeo Sr. (Age 43): Father and patriarch of the family.
- Louise DeFeo (Age 43): Mother.
- Dawn Theresa DeFeo (Age 18): Eldest daughter.
- Allison Louise DeFeo (Age 13): Daughter.
- Marc Gregory DeFeo (Age 12): Son.
- John Matthew DeFeo (Age 9): Youngest son.
Ronald DeFeo Jr. confessed to the killings, initially claiming "the voices" in the house told him to commit the murders, a claim that would later fuel the supernatural narrative. He was convicted on six counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to six consecutive life sentences. He died in custody in March 2021 at the age of 69, taking the full truth of his motive with him.
The House's Current Status: Address Change, Value, and New Ownership Facts
Despite its dark history, the "Amityville Horror" house remains a coveted, high-value piece of property in the quiet, affluent Long Island community of Amityville, Suffolk County. The current reality of the residence is far removed from the cinematic depictions.
The Definitive Address Change
One of the most significant changes made by subsequent owners to deter tourists was changing the house's official street number. The house is no longer 112 Ocean Avenue, but is currently listed as 108 Ocean Avenue. This subtle change was an attempt to regain privacy for the families who have lived there since the Lutzes left.
The Soaring Real Estate Value
The house was last sold in March 2017 for $605,000, a significant price at the time. However, due to the booming Long Island real estate market and the property's size and location, its current estimated value has soared to well over $1 million as of late 2025. This proves that even the most infamous properties can retain immense market value.
The End of the "Spook-Eye" Windows
To further distance the house from its movie image, subsequent owners have undertaken major renovations. Most notably, the distinctive, quarter-round windows on the third floor that gave the house its iconic "evil eyes" look in the film have been replaced with standard rectangular windows. This renovation was a deliberate effort to remove the house's visual link to the 1979 film and its sequels.
The Amityville Hoax: What Subsequent Owners Revealed
The foundation of the "Amityville Horror" legend rests entirely on the claims made by George and Kathy Lutz, who lived in the house for only 28 days in 1975. They reported phenomena ranging from green slime oozing from the walls, a hidden "Red Room" in the basement, and Kathy Lutz transforming into an old woman. However, modern true crime investigations and the testimony of subsequent owners have all but definitively labeled the supernatural claims as a hoax.
No Paranormal Activity Since the Lutzes
The most compelling evidence against the haunting comes from the families who have lived in the house for decades since the Lutzes fled. Not a single subsequent owner—including the Cromarty family, who purchased the home from the bank in 1977, and the current residents—has ever reported experiencing any paranormal activity, demons, or evil spirits.
The Lutzes' story gained traction after they worked with author Jay Anson to write the 1977 book, *The Amityville Horror*. Later investigations, including those by lawyer William Weber, who represented Ronald DeFeo Jr. at trial, revealed that the Lutz family fabricated much of their story. Weber claimed he and the Lutzes "sat around the table and made up the whole damn story." The primary motive was financial, as the Lutzes were struggling with mortgage payments and saw an opportunity for a lucrative book deal.
The Enduring Mystery of the Murders
With the ghost story widely discredited, the focus returns to the true horror: the unsolved motive of the DeFeo murders. Despite Ronald DeFeo Jr.'s confession, his motive remained unclear throughout his life. Theories have ranged from a drug-fueled rage to a conspiracy involving his sister, Dawn DeFeo, or an accomplice.
The most recent true-crime investigations, including new documentaries released after DeFeo Jr.'s 2021 death, continue to explore the possibility of a second shooter or the role of family dysfunction and abuse. The fact that all six victims were found dead in their beds, having been shot with a high-powered rifle without any signs of a struggle, remains the most chilling and inexplicable element of the case, a mystery that transcends any ghost story.
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