The Hauntings at 112 Ocean Avenue: The Amityville Horror



Located in the quiet town of Amityville, New York, the house at 112 Ocean Avenue has become one of the most infamous haunted houses in history. Known as the site of The Amityville Horror, this Dutch Colonial-style home is associated with a gruesome mass murder, eerie paranormal activity, and one of the most controversial hauntings of all time.

The story of 112 Ocean Avenue has fascinated—and terrified—people for decades. But was it truly haunted, or was it all an elaborate hoax?

The Horrific Murders That Started It All

On November 13, 1974, the house at 112 Ocean Avenue became the scene of a grisly crime that would forever mark it as a place of darkness. In the early hours of the morning, 23-year-old Ronald “Butch” DeFeo Jr. took a .35 caliber rifle and murdered his entire family while they slept.

The victims included:

• Ronald DeFeo Sr. (43) – The father
• Louise DeFeo (42) – The mother
• Dawn DeFeo (18) – The eldest daughter
• Allison DeFeo (13) – The younger daughter
• Marc DeFeo (12) – The younger son
• John DeFeo (9) – The youngest child

Each victim was found lying face down in their beds, shot in the back or head. No signs of a struggle or any indication that they woke up during the attack were found, leaving investigators baffled. Ronald DeFeo Jr. initially blamed the murders on a Mafia hitman, but later confessed, claiming he had been possessed by an evil force that made him kill his family.

He was convicted of six counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison, but his claim of supernatural influence would set the stage for what came next.

The Lutz Family and The Amityville Horror

One year after the murders, in December 1975, George and Kathy Lutz moved into 112 Ocean Avenue with their three children. They knew about the DeFeo murders but chose to live in the house anyway, believing they could move on from its dark past. They lasted only 28 days before fleeing in terror.

According to the Lutz family, they experienced horrifying paranormal activity, including unexplained noises and voices whilst mysterious knocking and banging would wake the family in the middle of the night. George claimed he heard a deep, guttural voice whispering his name.

Sudden Temperature Drops and Foul Odors

Rooms would become freezing cold despite the heating system working properly. The house often smelled of rotting flesh and sulfur, which many associate with demonic activity.

Swarming Flies in the Dead of Winter

Kathy found hundreds of flies in one of the rooms, even though it was the middle of winter.No matter how many times she killed them, they kept returning.

Mysterious Red Eyes Staring Through the Windows

The Lutz children reported seeing red glowing eyes staring at them from the windows at night. The family’s youngest daughter, Missy, said she spoke to an imaginary friend named Jodie, who appeared as a demonic pig with glowing red eyes.

George’s Personality Change

George Lutz began to wake up every night at 3:15 AM—the same time the DeFeo murders occurred. He became obsessed with the fireplace, constantly trying to keep it burning, even when it wasn’t cold. Kathy claimed he began to resemble Ronald DeFeo Jr., as if something was taking over his personality.

Floating Apparitions and Physical Attacks

Kathy was lifted into the air and thrown by an unseen force, she also claimed to have been scratched and bruised by an invisible entity. The family saw shadowy figures moving through the house.

The Infamous Green Slime

The Lutzes reported green slime oozing from the walls and keyholes, a detail that later became one of the most famous aspects of The Amityville Horror legend. After just 28 days, the Lutz family abandoned the house, leaving all of their belongings behind. They claimed they were being tormented by evil forces and refused to ever return.

Paranormal Investigations and the Warrens’ Involvement

The Lutz family’s story attracted widespread media attention and led to numerous paranormal investigations. The most famous was conducted by Ed and Lorraine Warren, the renowned paranormal investigators involved in cases like The Conjuring and Annabelle. During their investigation, the Warrens captured one of the most chilling pieces of evidence:

A photograph of a ghostly boy peering out from a doorway, the boy resembled John DeFeo, one of the murdered children.

Lorraine Warren later described feeling an overwhelming evil presence in the house, claiming that it was infested with demonic energy.

Hoax or Haunting? The Controversy

While the Lutzes’ story became the basis for The Amityville Horror book (1977) and movie (1979), many skeptics believe it was a hoax.

Reasons Some Believe It Was Faked

• The Lutzes profited from the story, selling book and movie rights.
• Later lawsuits revealed that they may have exaggerated events.
• Ronald DeFeo Jr.’s lawyer claimed he and George Lutz fabricated the haunting over "several bottles of wine."
• Some physical evidence—such as the green slime—was never verified.

Despite the skepticism, many paranormal investigators and visitors to the house continue to report strange occurrences, and the legend of 112 Ocean Avenue lives on.

What Happened to the Amityville House?

Over the years, the house has changed owners multiple times. In an attempt to distance it from its terrifying past, the address was changed from 112 Ocean Avenue to 108 Ocean Avenue. Many of the home’s later residents have reported no paranormal activity, leading some to believe the haunting was either exaggerated or fabricated. However, paranormal enthusiasts still consider it one of the most haunted houses in the world, and it remains a chilling reminder of the thin line between reality and the supernatural.

Would You Spend a Night at 112 Ocean Avenue?

Whether you believe the haunting was real or a hoax, there’s no denying that the Amityville Horror has left a permanent mark on pop culture and paranormal history. Would you dare step inside 112 Ocean Avenue and face whatever may still lurk within its walls? Or would you leave the past undisturbed, knowing that some doors should never be opened?