Episode 21: Ronald DeFeo Jr. The Amityville Horror Murders

Welcome to Season 2 of the Into The Fire: A True Crime Podcast. On this episode, we talk about Ronald DeFeo Jr. and the Amityville Horror Murders.

Ronald DeFeo Jr. is infamously known for committing a multiple murder known as the "Amityville murders." Born on September 26, 1951, DeFeo grew up in Amityville, New York, on Long Island. On November 13, 1974, at the age of 23, DeFeo murdered his entire family in their home.

DeFeo's victims were his parents, Ronald DeFeo Sr. and Louise DeFeo, and his four siblings: Dawn, Allison, Marc, and John Matthew. He shot each of them with a .35 caliber lever-action Marlin rifle while they were sleeping. After the murders, DeFeo went to a local bar and claimed that his family had been shot. The police were called to the scene, where they discovered the bodies.

Initially, DeFeo maintained his innocence and claimed that the murders were carried out by a mob hitman. However, inconsistencies in his story led the police to become suspicious. Eventually, DeFeo confessed to the murders and provided details that only the killer would know.

During his trial in 1975, DeFeo pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. However, the defense was unsuccessful, and he was convicted of six counts of second-degree murder. He received a sentence of 25 years to life for each count, resulting in a total of six consecutive life sentences. DeFeo has been incarcerated at various correctional facilities in New York State.

The Amityville murders gained significant attention and media coverage, largely due to the supernatural claims made by subsequent occupants of the house. The subsequent owners, George and Kathy Lutz, claimed that the house was haunted, leading to a best-selling book titled "The Amityville Horror" and several film adaptations.

While Ronald DeFeo Jr. himself did not make supernatural claims, the murders he committed became a focal point of the Amityville haunting legend. Numerous books, documentaries, and movies have been produced over the years, exploring both the true crime aspect and the alleged paranormal activity associated with the Amityville house.

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Episode Music:
Yung Logos · Memory Rain
The Tower of Light · Serious
The Tower of Light · Flecks of Light

Episode Research:
Jay Anson book The Amityville Horror
George Lutz Archive footage
The New York Times
Long Island Press
ABC7 New York
NBC News
Wikipedia


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