The Amityville Horror House is one of the most infamous haunted houses in American history. Located at 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York, this house has been the subject of numerous books, films, and documentaries. The story of the Amityville Horror House began in 1974 when Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered his entire family in the house. A year later, the Lutz family moved into the house and claimed to experience terrifying paranormal activity, leading to their hasty departure. Since then, the house has become a hotspot for paranormal investigators and enthusiasts, with many claiming to have had their own supernatural encounters within its walls.
Key Takeaways
- The Amityville Horror House is a well-known haunted house located in Amityville, New York.
- The DeFeo Family Murders occurred in the house in 1974, when Ronald DeFeo Jr. killed his entire family.
- The Lutz Family moved into the house in 1975 and experienced terrifying paranormal activity, which they claimed was caused by the house’s dark history.
- The Red Room Mystery is a famous part of the Amityville Horror story, where a hidden room was discovered in the house with red walls and no windows.
- The Amityville Curse is a controversial topic, with some believing that the house is cursed and others dismissing it as fiction.
- The Amityville House is considered a hotspot for paranormal activity, with many people claiming to have experienced strange occurrences there.
- The current owners of the Amityville Horror House deny that it is haunted and have made renovations to the property.
- The controversy surrounding the Amityville Horror story includes accusations of fraud and exaggeration by the Lutz family and others involved in the case.
- The Amityville Horror has had a significant impact on pop culture, inspiring numerous books, movies, and TV shows.
- The legacy of the Amityville Horror House includes lessons about the power of storytelling and the importance of skepticism when evaluating paranormal claims.
The Amityville Horror House: A Brief History
The Amityville Horror House was originally built in 1927 and was a beautiful Dutch Colonial-style home. It had a distinctive gambrel roof and was situated on a large plot of land with a boathouse and a swimming pool. The house had several owners before the DeFeo family purchased it in 1965. However, it wasn’t until November 13, 1974, that the house gained notoriety.
The DeFeo Family Murders: What Really Happened?
On that fateful night in 1974, Ronald DeFeo Jr. shot and killed his parents and four siblings while they slept in their beds. He claimed that he heard voices telling him to commit the murders and that he couldn’t control his actions. After the killings, DeFeo went to work as usual and later claimed that he discovered the bodies when he returned home.
DeFeo’s story quickly unraveled under police questioning, and he eventually confessed to the murders. He was convicted of six counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to six consecutive life sentences. To this day, there is speculation about what drove DeFeo to commit such a heinous act, with some suggesting that the house itself played a role in his mental state.
The Lutz Family’s Terrifying Experience in the Amityville House
| Event | Date | Location | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Lutz Family moves into the Amityville House | December 18, 1975 | 112 Ocean Avenue, Amityville, New York | N/A |
| The Lutz Family experiences paranormal activity | December 18-28, 1975 | 112 Ocean Avenue, Amityville, New York | Unexplained occurrences, including strange noises, foul odors, and sightings of apparitions |
| The Lutz Family flees the Amityville House | January 14, 1976 | 112 Ocean Avenue, Amityville, New York | Left behind most of their possessions and never returned |
| The Amityville Horror book is published | September 13, 1977 | N/A | Becomes a bestseller and spawns a series of movies and documentaries |
In December 1975, just over a year after the DeFeo murders, George and Kathy Lutz moved into the Amityville Horror House with their three children. They were aware of the house’s history but claimed that they were not superstitious and did not believe in ghosts. However, their experience in the house would soon change their beliefs.
The Lutz family claimed to have experienced a series of terrifying paranormal activities during their 28 days in the house. They reported hearing strange noises, seeing shadowy figures, and feeling an overwhelming sense of dread. They also claimed that the house was infested with flies, even in the dead of winter, and that they witnessed green slime oozing from the walls.
The Lutz family eventually decided to leave the house, fearing for their safety. They left behind all their belongings and never returned. Their story gained widespread media attention and sparked a frenzy of interest in the paranormal.
The Haunted Room: The Red Room Mystery
One of the most intriguing aspects of the Amityville Horror House is the discovery of a hidden room in the basement known as the “Red Room.” This room was not mentioned in any of the original blueprints of the house and was only discovered by paranormal investigators after the Lutz family’s departure.
The Red Room was said to be a small, windowless space painted entirely red. It was believed to have been used for occult rituals by previous owners of the house. Some speculate that this room may have been a catalyst for the paranormal activity experienced by both the DeFeo and Lutz families.
The Amityville Curse: Fact or Fiction?
After the Lutz family left the Amityville Horror House, it was sold to new owners who claimed to have experienced their own share of paranormal activity. This led to the belief that the house was cursed and that anyone who lived there would be plagued by supernatural occurrences.
Over the years, subsequent owners of the house have reported strange happenings, including unexplained noises, objects moving on their own, and even apparitions. Some have even claimed to have been physically attacked by unseen forces. However, skeptics argue that these experiences can be attributed to suggestion and the power of suggestion.
The Amityville House: A Hotspot for Paranormal Activity
The Amityville Horror House has become a popular destination for paranormal investigators and enthusiasts. Many claim to have had their own supernatural encounters within its walls. Visitors have reported hearing disembodied voices, seeing shadowy figures, and feeling an overwhelming sense of unease.
Paranormal investigators have used various tools and techniques to try to capture evidence of the house’s alleged haunting. These include EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) recordings, thermal imaging cameras, and electromagnetic field detectors. While some claim to have captured compelling evidence, others remain skeptical.
The Amityville Horror House Today: Is it Still Haunted?
The current state of the Amityville Horror House is a subject of much debate. After the Lutz family’s departure, the house was sold several times and underwent renovations to change its appearance. The address was also changed from 112 Ocean Avenue to 108 Ocean Avenue in an attempt to deter curious visitors.
The current owners of the house have chosen to remain anonymous and have not publicly commented on any paranormal activity they may have experienced. However, there have been reports from neighbors and passersby of strange occurrences around the property.
The Controversy Surrounding the Amityville Horror Story
Since the publication of Jay Anson’s book “The Amityville Horror” in 1977, there has been much controversy surrounding the story. Skeptics argue that the entire story was a hoax concocted by the Lutz family and their lawyer to profit from the tragedy. They point to inconsistencies in the Lutz family’s accounts and the lack of physical evidence to support their claims.
The Lutz family has vehemently denied these accusations and maintained that their experiences in the Amityville Horror House were genuine. They have stated that they never sought to profit from their story and that they were simply trying to share their terrifying experience with others.
The Influence of the Amityville Horror on Pop Culture
The Amityville Horror House has had a significant impact on popular culture. The story has been adapted into numerous films, television shows, and books, each adding their own spin to the tale. The 1979 film adaptation of “The Amityville Horror” was a box office success and spawned a franchise that continues to this day.
The story of the Amityville Horror House also had a profound influence on the horror genre as a whole. It popularized the haunted house trope and inspired countless other films and books featuring similar themes. It also sparked a renewed interest in paranormal investigations and led to an increase in ghost hunting shows and documentaries.
The Legacy of the Amityville Horror House: Lessons Learned
The story of the Amityville Horror House serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of sensationalism and the importance of separating fact from fiction. It reminds us that tragedy should not be exploited for entertainment purposes and that real people’s lives were affected by the events that took place in that house.
It also highlights the need for critical thinking and skepticism when it comes to paranormal investigations. While it is important to keep an open mind, it is equally important to approach these claims with a healthy dose of skepticism and to rely on evidence rather than anecdotal accounts.
The Amityville Horror House will forever be shrouded in mystery and controversy. Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, there is no denying the impact that this house has had on popular culture. It serves as a reminder of the power of storytelling and the enduring fascination with the supernatural. Ultimately, the true nature of the Amityville Horror House may never be known, but its legacy will continue to captivate and terrify audiences for years to come.
FAQs
What is the Amityville Horror House?
The Amityville Horror House is a real-life house located in Amityville, New York, that gained notoriety after a family claimed to have experienced paranormal activity while living there in 1975.
What happened in the Amityville Horror House?
The Lutz family moved into the Amityville Horror House in 1975 and claimed to have experienced paranormal activity, including strange noises, foul odors, and sightings of ghosts and demons. They also reported physical harm, such as welts and scratches, and claimed that the house was built on an ancient Native American burial ground.
Is the Amityville Horror House real?
Yes, the Amityville Horror House is a real house located in Amityville, New York. However, the claims of paranormal activity made by the Lutz family have been widely disputed and are considered by many to be a hoax.
Who lived in the Amityville Horror House?
The Amityville Horror House was originally owned by the DeFeo family, who were murdered in the house in 1974. The Lutz family moved into the house in 1975 and claimed to have experienced paranormal activity before leaving just 28 days later.
Has anyone else reported paranormal activity in the Amityville Horror House?
Since the Lutz family left the Amityville Horror House, several other families have lived there without reporting any paranormal activity. However, some visitors to the house have claimed to have experienced strange sensations or seen apparitions.
Can you visit the Amityville Horror House?
The Amityville Horror House is a private residence and is not open to the public. However, the house has become a popular tourist attraction and is often photographed by visitors.
