Is There Anyone Living in the Amityville Horror House Now?

As of 2023, the infamous Amityville Horror house in Amityville, New York, has had various owners since the infamous events of the 1970s. Despite its haunted reputation, the current occupants have generally sought to distance themselves from the house's supernatural history.

Current Owners and About the House

The house at 112 Ocean Avenue, initially a Dutch colonial styled home, has undergone several ownership changes since its notorious years. According to recent reports, people do still reside in this privately-owned property, which is not open to the public. For the latest ownership status or any recent developments, it is advisable to check the most current news sources.

The Domestic Tragedy of 1974

Before it became a world-famous haunt, the Amityville Horror house had tragic roots. In 1974, Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered six members of his family in the home. He used a .357 caliber rifle to kill his parents and four of his siblings. DeFeo Jr. confessed to the murders and claimed he heard voices in the house, which some believe are the residual spirits that haunt the place.

Legal Consequences

DeFeo Jr. was convicted of six counts of second-degree murder and is currently serving six concurrent sentences of 25 years to life. His attorney, William Weber, once questioned the reliability of the events described by the families, suggesting that the Lutz family might have fabricated their stories for financial gain.

The Amityville Horror's Legacy

George and Kathy Lutz purchased the house in 1975, having read the chilling account of the DeFeo murders. They resided in the home for only 28 days before a series of terrifying events led them to evacuate the house in distress. Among other occurrences, they claimed to have witnessed green slime oozing from the walls, the sighting of spectral eyes through the windows, and mysterious noises and levitating.

Paranormal Investigations and the Film Adaptation

Following the Lutz family's departure, paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren visited the property. According to their records, they documented photographs of a ghostly boy peering from the banister and claimed experiences with otherworldly presences. Inspired by the Lutz family's story, Jay Anson wrote the 1977 bestseller The Amityville Horror, which was later adapted into a 1979 film. The film, however, was shot at a different Dutch colonial house in New Jersey.

Current Status of the House

The house has seen several owners since the Lutz family vacated it. In 1977, James and Barbara Cromarty purchased the property, lived in it for ten years, and later changed the address to 108 Ocean Avenue. The house was put up for sale again in 2016 and sold for $605,000 in 2017. The current occupants have reported no supernatural happenings since the Lutzes' departure.

Despite the shallowness of reported paranormal activities, the story of the Amityville Horror continues to intrigue ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts. The enduring fascination with this infamous house makes it a significant cultural landmark in the realm of ghost stories and urban legends.