Amityville Horror killer Ronald DeFeo Jr. – who spread terror across Long Island and not just by sacrificing his parents and four siblings in 1974 – has died, according to state officials.
DeFeo – whose murderous murder served as the inspiration behind the “The Amityville Horror” book and movie franchise – died Friday while serving a 25-year life sentence at the Sullivan Correctional Facility in Fallsburg, New York. according to the State Department of Corrections. He was 69 years old.
The convicted killer was transferred to Albany Medical Center and was pronounced dead at 6:35 p.m.
An autopsy performed by the examining physician’s office in Albany County will determine the official cause of death.
DeFeo, nicknamed Butch, was convicted of killing his mother, father, two sisters and two brothers at their Amityville home on Ocean Avenue on November 13, 1974.
The 23-year-old used a 35-gauge Marlin lever to kill his family members, who were all in bed at the time – father Ronald DeFeo Sr., 43, mother Louise DeFeo, 43. years and brothers Dawn, 18, Allison, 13, Marc, 12, and John, 9.
Both parents were shot twice, while siblings were shot once. All the victims were found face down in bed.
At trial, his lawyer staged a defense of insanity, claiming that DeFeo heard voices saying his family was plotting against him.
He was convicted in 1975 of six counts of second-degree murder and received six life sentences.
DeFeo was scheduled for a conditional hearing in July, online DOC records show.
In a 2006 prison interview, DeFeo claimed to have killed only his father, mother and older sister, Dawn.
He said the other brothers were killed by Dawn before DeFeo killed her.
In 2016, the famous five-bedroom, 3-bath colonial house, where the bloodbath took place, entered the market for $ 850,000 – and entered into a contract Monday later.
The original address of the house when the murders took place was 112 Ocean Ave. – but was eventually changed to 108 Ocean Ave. to discourage tourists.
A year after the slaughter, George and Kathy Lutz bought the house – but left 28 days later after reporting paranormal activity in the house, including “strange sounds, voices and greenish mud on the walls,” according to the site. real estate 6sqft.
The gruesome events served as the inspiration for the 1977 book “The Amityville Horror” and, two years later, for the cult classic film “The Amityville Horror,” starring James Brolin and Margot Kidder.
The impressive 5,000-square-foot location was renovated after Caroline and David D’Antonio bought it in 2010 for $ 950,000.
DeFeo’s death was first reported by Newsday.
