Ronald DeFeo — the convicted murderer responsible for killing six family members and inspiring the long-running "Amityville horror" franchise — has died. Today news broke that DeFeo passed away on March 12. He was 69.
The New York State Department of Correction and Community Supervision confirmed to the media today that DeFeo died in hospital while in Albany. He had been serving 25 years to life at the Sullivan Correctional Facility in Fallsburg, NY.
While a cause of death has yet to be revealed, DeFeo was taken into hospital back on February 2.
On November 13, 1974, DeFeo infamously killed his father, mother, two sisters and two brothers in the family's home in Amityville, NY. The following year, he was convicted on six counts of second-degree murder after he confessed to the crimes.
The killings soon led to decades of films and books, starting with The Amityville Horror book by Jay Anson in 1977. Two years later a film by the same name was released that explored the murders, as well as the story of the Lutzes. As legend has it, the Lutzes moved out of the DeFeo family home after just 28 days, claiming the house was haunted.
This led to a long string of films and documentaries about the murders, as well as the house itself and its supposed haunting.
The New York State Department of Correction and Community Supervision confirmed to the media today that DeFeo died in hospital while in Albany. He had been serving 25 years to life at the Sullivan Correctional Facility in Fallsburg, NY.
While a cause of death has yet to be revealed, DeFeo was taken into hospital back on February 2.
On November 13, 1974, DeFeo infamously killed his father, mother, two sisters and two brothers in the family's home in Amityville, NY. The following year, he was convicted on six counts of second-degree murder after he confessed to the crimes.
The killings soon led to decades of films and books, starting with The Amityville Horror book by Jay Anson in 1977. Two years later a film by the same name was released that explored the murders, as well as the story of the Lutzes. As legend has it, the Lutzes moved out of the DeFeo family home after just 28 days, claiming the house was haunted.
This led to a long string of films and documentaries about the murders, as well as the house itself and its supposed haunting.
