The Amityville Horror House
The Amityville Horror House is a three-story Dutch Colonial house located at 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York. It is notorious for the purported paranormal events that occurred there in 1975 and 1976, which were chronicled in the book “The Amityville Horror” by Jay Anson and the subsequent film adaptations.
Background
In 1974, the Lutz family purchased the house for $80,000, unaware of its dark history. On December 13, 1975, Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered his six family members in the house with a .35-caliber rifle. DeFeo was convicted of the murders and sentenced to six consecutive life sentences.
The Lutz Family’s Alleged Experiences
The Lutz family moved into the house in December 1975, just weeks after the DeFeo murders. They claimed that they began experiencing paranormal phenomena almost immediately, including:
- Strange noises, such as disembodied voices, footsteps, and doors slamming shut
- Visions of strange apparitions, including a red-eyed pig, a demonic dog, and a levitating boy
- Unexplained physical phenomena, such as levitating objects, moving furniture, and unexplained cold spots.
The Lutz family fled the house after 28 days, claiming that they could no longer bear the paranormal activity.
The Book and Film Adaptations
The Lutz family’s story was first published in the book “The Amityville Horror” by Jay Anson in 1977. The book was a bestseller and spawned a successful film franchise, beginning with the 1979 film “The Amityville Horror.”
Paranormal Investigations
The Amityville Horror House has been the subject of numerous paranormal investigations over the years. Some investigators have reported experiencing paranormal phenomena similar to those reported by the Lutz family, while others have found no evidence of paranormal activity.
Skepticism
Many people believe that the Amityville Horror House is a hoax. They point out that the Lutz family’s story has been embellished over the years, and that there is no scientific evidence to support their claims of paranormal activity.
The House Today
The Amityville Horror House has been owned by several different families since the Lutz family fled in 1976. The house is currently privately owned, and it is not open to the public.
Whether or not the Amityville Horror House is truly haunted remains a mystery. However, the house’s dark history and the Lutz family’s alleged experiences have made it one of the most famous haunted houses in the world.
