7 Shocking Secrets And The Current Status Of 112 Ocean Avenue (The Amityville Horror House) In December 2025
The notorious house at 112 Ocean Avenue, forever immortalized as the site of a brutal mass murder and the alleged supernatural ordeal known as 'The Amityville Horror,' remains one of the most infamous addresses in American history. Despite decades of debate, skepticism, and countless film adaptations, public curiosity about the Dutch Colonial home in Amityville, New York, is stronger than ever. As of this current date, December 23, 2025, the house is privately owned and continues its quiet, secluded existence on Long Island, shielded from the public eye.
This deep dive reveals the latest updates, the full biographical profile of the families involved, and the most compelling secrets behind the true story that captivated—and terrified—the world, confirming details that even the most dedicated horror enthusiasts often overlook. The house's history is a chilling blend of fact and fiction, starting with a horrific crime and escalating into a global phenomenon.
The Central Figures: DeFeo and Lutz Family Profiles
The entire narrative of 112 Ocean Avenue revolves around two families: the victims and the alleged haunting victims. Their lives became inextricably linked by the events of November 13, 1974.
The DeFeo Family (The Victims)
- Ronald Joseph DeFeo Jr. (The Killer): Born September 26, 1951. Convicted of six counts of second-degree murder. He killed his entire family with a high-powered rifle while they slept. He maintained varying stories for decades, including claims of demonic possession. He died in custody on March 12, 2021, at the age of 69.
- Ronald DeFeo Sr. (Father): Born November 16, 1930.
- Louise DeFeo (Mother): Born November 7, 1935.
- Dawn DeFeo (Sister): Born November 4, 1956.
- Allison DeFeo (Sister): Born August 16, 1961.
- Marc DeFeo (Brother): Born September 4, 1962.
- John Matthew DeFeo (Brother): Born October 24, 1965.
The Lutz Family (The Alleged Victims of the Haunting)
- George Lutz: Moved into the house with his family on December 18, 1975, just 13 months after the murders. He and his wife claimed to experience terrifying supernatural events, including strange odors, cold spots, green slime, and levitation. They fled the house after only 28 days.
- Kathy Lutz: George’s wife and mother to three children from a previous marriage. Her claims formed the core of the haunting narrative.
- The Children: Daniel, Christopher, and Missy (renamed Amy in the book/film).
- The Legacy: The Lutzes collaborated with author Jay Anson to write the 1977 book, *The Amityville Horror*, which launched the global phenomenon.
7 Shocking Secrets and Current Status of the House
The property at 112 Ocean Avenue has undergone significant changes and has been the subject of intense scrutiny from investigators, parapsychologists, and debunkers. Here are the most compelling facts and the latest updates on the infamous location.
1. The Address Was Officially Changed to 108 Ocean Avenue
One of the most significant and permanent changes to the property was the alteration of its street number. To deter gawkers, tourists, and trespassers—and to try and shed the stigma of the DeFeo murders—subsequent owners officially changed the address from 112 Ocean Avenue to 108 Ocean Avenue. This renumbering has been a successful measure in providing a layer of anonymity, though the signature architectural style remains recognizable to dedicated fans. The house is now a private residence, and the current owners have no connection to the infamous events.
2. The House Was Last Listed for $1.15 Million
The house has been sold multiple times since the Lutz family fled in 1976. While the exact sale price to the current owners is not public knowledge, the property was last listed for sale with an asking price of $1.15 million (or £800,000). This listing confirms its status as a highly sought-after, albeit controversial, piece of Long Island real estate. The previous owners, who lived there for a decade, reportedly sold it to an unnamed buyer, ensuring the home remains a private dwelling.
3. The Iconic "Evil Eyes" Windows Were Removed
In the 1979 film adaptation and subsequent sequels, the Dutch Colonial home is instantly recognizable by its two distinctive, quarter-round windows on the third floor, which resemble menacing "evil eyes." In reality, the original 112 Ocean Avenue house had these windows, but later owners replaced them with standard rectangular windows to further change the home's appearance and distance it from the movie's terrifying imagery. This modification was a direct attempt to normalize the home and discourage unwanted attention.
4. The "Red Room" Was a Real, Undisputed Entity
Among the many supernatural claims made by the Lutz family, one physical detail has been confirmed by multiple sources: the presence of a small, hidden room in the basement. This room, which George Lutz described as a "Red Room" in the book, was not on the original blueprints and was discovered by the Lutzes. Skeptics, however, maintain that this was merely a small storage area or a former darkroom, not a demonic portal, as the legend suggests.
5. The Entire Story Was Co-Authored by the Killer’s Lawyer
One of the most damning pieces of evidence for skeptics is the involvement of William Weber, Ronald DeFeo Jr.'s defense lawyer. Weber openly admitted that he and George and Kathy Lutz "concocted" the ghost story over several bottles of wine, planning to write a book to get DeFeo a new trial and make money for everyone involved. The Lutzes later sued Weber, but this admission from a key figure casts a permanent shadow of doubt on the veracity of the supernatural claims, suggesting the foundation of the 'Amityville Horror' was a calculated hoax for financial gain.
6. The DeFeo Murders Had a Drug and Money Motive
While Ronald DeFeo Jr. initially claimed a "voice" told him to commit the murders, the subsequent investigation and trial revealed a more grounded, albeit equally horrific, motive. The DeFeo family was known for internal conflict, and Ronald Jr. was a heavy drug user with a history of violence and a desire to collect on his parents' life insurance policies. The argument that he was driven by financial and personal motives, rather than a demonic entity, is the official legal conclusion.
7. The Warrens and Other Key Investigators Were Involved
The house attracted the attention of numerous paranormal investigators, including the famous demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren (known for the *Conjuring* universe). The Warrens visited the home in 1976 and claimed to have found evidence of "demonic forces." Other figures, such as parapsychologist Stephen Kaplan and prominent skeptic Joe Nickell, have spent decades attempting to either prove or completely debunk the Lutz family’s claims, adding to the layers of complexity and controversy surrounding 112 Ocean Avenue.
The Undying Legacy of 112 Ocean Avenue
The address, now known as 108 Ocean Avenue, remains a flashpoint for true crime and horror enthusiasts. The story has spawned over a dozen films, countless books, and a dedicated community of researchers and tourists who still seek out the Long Island home. The death of Ronald DeFeo Jr. in 2021 closed the final chapter on the human element of the 1974 crime, but the myth of the haunted house lives on.
Ultimately, 112 Ocean Avenue serves as a powerful symbol of how a genuine, shocking tragedy—the DeFeo murders—can be co-opted and transformed into a lucrative, global horror franchise. Whether you believe the supernatural claims of the Lutz family or the debunkers who point to fraud and opportunism, the house’s dark history continues to draw millions into the chilling narrative of the Amityville Horror.
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