Case File #028: The Haunting of 112 Ocean Avenue
Status: Based on True Events – Mass Media Attention
Date Filed: November 13, 1974
Last Reviewed: June 2, 2025
Location: Amityville, New York, USA
Filed Under: Domestic Haunting – Mass Homicide – Psychological Disturbance
Access Level: Public Archive – Cultural Icon
Incident Summary
112 Ocean Avenue is more than just a Dutch Colonial house in Amityville, New York. It is the epicenter of one of America’s most famous and controversial hauntings. What began as a brutal family massacre in 1974 quickly spiraled into a whirlwind of supernatural claims, media exploitation, and psychological horror.
In November 1974, 23-year-old Ronald “Butch” DeFeo Jr. murdered six members of his family in their sleep—his parents and four siblings. He claimed to hear voices compelling him to kill. A year later, the Lutz family moved into the house, unaware of the horrors that awaited them. After just 28 days, they fled, leaving behind all their belongings.
What followed was a storm of investigations, best-selling books, skeptical inquiries, and blockbuster films. Was it a hoax, a haunting, or a tragedy layered with suggestion and trauma?
The DeFeo Murders
- Date: November 13, 1974
- Victims: Ronald Sr. (43), Louise (42), Dawn (18), Allison (13), Marc (12), John (9)
- Perpetrator: Ronald DeFeo Jr., the oldest son
- Weapon: Marlin .35 caliber rifle
Ronald claimed he was guided by demonic voices telling him to eliminate his family. All six were shot execution-style in their beds. No signs of struggle, no one woke up. Toxicology reports later confirmed the victims had not been drugged.
DeFeo changed his story multiple times and was ultimately convicted of second-degree murder. He died in prison in 2021. But the murders left a residue—something dark, something that never quite left the house.
The Lutz Family: Haunting Begins
In December 1975, George and Kathy Lutz moved into 112 Ocean Avenue with their three children. They purchased the house for $80,000, fully aware of the murders, but hopeful for a fresh start.
Within days, they claimed the atmosphere turned oppressive.
Reported phenomena included:
- Green slime oozing from walls and keyholes
- A hidden room in the basement dubbed “the red room”
- Doors violently slamming shut on their own
- A black-cloaked figure with glowing red eyes
- George waking at exactly 3:15 AM—the time of the murders
- Kathy levitating above her bed
- A priest, Father Ray Pecoraro, being told to “get out” by an unseen voice during a blessing ritual
After 28 days, the Lutzes fled the house, leaving everything behind. They never returned.
The Investigation and the Warrens
Ed and Lorraine Warren, the famed demonologists who later investigated the Perron family and Annabelle case, were called to 112 Ocean Avenue. According to Lorraine, the house was “infested with something inhuman.”
Photographic evidence taken during one of their visits showed what appears to be a ghostly child peeking from a bedroom doorway. The image has never been definitively debunked.
Skeptics argue the Warrens sensationalized the case, but believers see their involvement as confirmation of the haunting’s legitimacy.
Media Frenzy and Legal Battles
The Lutzes worked with author Jay Anson to publish The Amityville Horror in 1977. The book became a massive hit and spawned a film franchise that continues to this day.
However, the Lutzes’ credibility was soon challenged. William Weber, DeFeo’s former attorney, later claimed the entire haunting was fabricated over “many bottles of wine” to gain publicity for DeFeo’s trial and to sell books.
The Lutz family denied this and insisted their experiences were real. They passed multiple lie detector tests, but public trust remained divided.
Alternative Theories
- Mass Suggestion / Shared Delusion
Some psychologists suggest that stress, financial pressure, and the macabre history of the house may have triggered a collective psychological breakdown in the Lutz family. - Environmental Explanations
Researchers proposed high levels of infrasound, mold, or toxic chemicals could have induced hallucinations and paranoia. - Complete Fabrication
Critics maintain that the entire story was orchestrated for fame and financial gain, citing inconsistencies in witness testimony and lack of physical evidence. - Supernatural Validity
Paranormal investigators and believers stand by the Lutzes. The cumulative weight of eyewitness accounts, audio phenomena, and the house’s lingering reputation point, they say, to something darker than coincidence.
Modern Status
The house at 112 Ocean Avenue still stands, though the address has been changed to deter visitors. The iconic "eye" windows have been remodeled. Multiple families have lived there since with no reported incidents.
Still, the legend persists. The house remains a pilgrimage site for ghost hunters and horror fans. Even without activity, the fear attached to its name continues to echo through modern folklore.
Conclusion
The story of 112 Ocean Avenue is more than a haunting. It is a mirror of cultural fear, the weight of memory, and the power of storytelling. Whether born of trauma or the supernatural, the events in Amityville left a permanent stain on America’s paranormal history.
Some houses forget.
Others remember.
References
All sources used in this case are listed in the References Archive. Each link corresponds to verified data, public records, or expert documentation.