The Amityville murders refer to the brutal events of November 13, 1974, when Ronald DeFeo Jr. shot six members of his family in a house at 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York. These crimes inspired the later legend of a haunted house and remain central to discussions about true crime, family violence, and paranormal claims.
Below is a structured overview of key people, dates, and outcomes related to the case, followed by deeper explorations of the crime scene, investigation, trial, and lasting cultural impact.
| Subject | Role | Key Detail | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ronald DeFeo Jr. | Perpetrator | Shot father, mother, and four siblings with a .35 Marlin rifle | Convicted of six counts of second-degree murder |
| John DeFeo | Victim, father | Found dead in bed with shotgun pellets | Declared deceased at scene |
| Louise DeFeo | Victim, mother | Shot while lying on a sofa | Declared deceased at scene |
| Allan DeFeo | Victim, brother | Age 18; found in bed | Declared deceased at scene |
| Marcella DeFeo | Victim, sister | Age 17; discovered in her bedroom | Declared deceased at scene |
| Dawn DeFeo | Victim, sister | Age 12; found near the front door | Declared deceased at scene |
| Jeffrey R. McDermott | Defense Attorney | Represented DeFeo at trial and appeal | Death sentence later commuted to six consecutive terms of 25 years to life |
| Judge Stark | Presiding Judge | Oversaw 1976 trial and sentencing | Upheld conviction and death sentence before appeals |
Crime Scene and Evidence
Location and Weapons
Inside 112 Ocean Avenue, the living room and bedrooms revealed a chaotic barrage of .35-caliber rifle rounds. Investigators recovered the murder weapon, a Marlin 336C, along with multiple shell casings scattered throughout the house.
Autopsy Findings
The medical examiner documented entry and exit wounds, spent bullet trajectories, and close-range gunpowder residue. These details supported the finding that the victims had been shot at very close range, often while lying in bed.
Investigation and Arrest
Tip-Off and Suspect in Custody
After neighbors reported gunshots and commotion, police arrived and arrested Ronald DeFeo Jr. at a nearby location. He initially claimed that his sister had shot the family, then switched to claiming he heard voices commanding him to kill them.
Evidence Collection
Forensic teams processed the scene, linking spent cartridges to the rifle found in the home. Statements from relatives and coworkers corroborated DeFeo’s recent conflicts over money and his volatile behavior in the weeks before the killings.
Trial, Sentencing, and Appeals
Prosecution and Verdict
Prosecutors presented ballistics, crime scene reconstruction, and psychological evaluations. The jury convicted DeFeo of all six counts, rejecting claims of insanity or coercion by external voices.
Sentencing and Legal Battles
He received six consecutive death sentences, later commuted to life imprisonment after New York abolished the death penalty. Multiple appeals based on mental competency and procedural issues were denied or exhausted.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
From True Crime to Paranormal Lore
The house became the basis for books and films that emphasized hauntings, shifting public focus from the family tragedy to supernatural tales. Scholars and journalists continue to debate how folklore altered the understanding of the underlying violence.
Media Representation
Documentaries, podcasts, and feature films have revisited the case, often highlighting investigative missteps and the ethics of crime storytelling. These retellings raise questions about victim memory, media responsibility, and sensationalism.
Key Takeaways and Recommendations
- Understand the factual record of the Amityport murders before engaging with paranormal narratives.
- Recognize how media coverage can reshape public perception of high-profile crimes.
- Study the legal proceedings to see how courts handled insanity defenses and sentencing.
- Approach documentaries and books about this case with a critical eye for evidence and ethics.
FAQ
Reader questions
How many people were killed in the Amityville house on November 13, 1974?
Six members of the DeFeo family were killed in a single night during the Amityville murders.
Did Ronald DeFeo claim he was possessed or ordered by voices to commit the murders?
Yes, DeFeo alternated between claiming he heard voices and later arguing that he was not responsible due to mental illness, but courts rejected these defenses.
What weapon was used in the Amityville murders?
A Marlin 336C .35-caliber rifle was used to shoot all six victims inside the Ocean Avenue home.
What is the current status of the house at 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York?
The house was sold, the address was changed, and new owners have lived there, but it remains a focal point for true crime and paranormal tourism.