Long Island Murderer Who Inspired ‘Amityville Horror’ Dead at 69

Everyone knows about the Amityville Horror, the movies and books were a huge financial hit. However, it was also a family tragedy that rocked New York back in the 70s.

The real-life convicted murderer behind the Amityville Horror story has died in prison at the age of 69. He was serving 25 years to life sentence for the six 1974 murders when he was just 23 years old.

In 1974, this home was the place where 23-year-old Ronald DeFeo Jr. shot his parents and four siblings to death as they slept in their beds. His lawyers argued in court that when DeFeo moved into the home he started hearing voices in his head that prompted him to carry out the crimes. To make matters worse, George and Kathy Lutz, the people who moved into the house about a year after the murders took place, reportedly left after only living there for 28 days. They sold the property at a loss and claimed they were spooked out by paranormal phenomena.