The Amityville Horror House Today: 5 Shocking Facts About 112 Ocean Avenue In 2025
The legend of 112 Ocean Avenue, Amityville, New York, remains one of the most enduring and terrifying tales in American folklore, a story of mass murder and alleged paranormal phenomena that continues to captivate the world decades later. As of this current date, December 23, 2025, the infamous Dutch Colonial house still stands, though its public identity has been meticulously erased by subsequent owners in a desperate bid for privacy.
Far from being a derelict or abandoned site, the house is a private residence, continuously occupied by families attempting to live a normal life in the shadow of a horrific history. The original address, 112 Ocean Avenue, is now a ghost number, a deliberate change made to deter the relentless stream of sightseers, true-crime enthusiasts, and paranormal investigators who have haunted the quiet Long Island neighborhood for half a century. Understanding the true status of this property requires peeling back the layers of Hollywood fiction and focusing on the cold, hard facts of its current existence.
The Complete Timeline: DeFeo Family, The Murders, and The Lutz Saga
The history of the house is inextricably linked to two families, the DeFeos and the Lutzes, whose short time at the address created a horror mythology that spans books, documentaries, and numerous films. To establish topical authority, here is a detailed biographical timeline of the key figures and events at the property.
The DeFeo Family (1965–1974)
- Ronald Joseph DeFeo Sr. (Victim): Born 1930.
- Louise DeFeo (Victim): Born 1931.
- Ronald "Butch" DeFeo Jr. (Killer): Born September 26, 1951. Convicted of six counts of second-degree murder. He claimed voices told him to commit the murders. He died in prison on March 12, 2021, a significant recent update to the story.
- Dawn DeFeo (Victim): Born 1956.
- Allison DeFeo (Victim): Born 1961.
- Marc DeFeo (Victim): Born 1962.
- John Matthew DeFeo (Victim): Born 1970.
- The Crime: On November 13, 1974, Ronald Jr. murdered his entire family while they slept, using a high-powered rifle. The victims were all found face down in their beds.
The Lutz Family (1975)
- George Lee Lutz: Born 1946. Purchased the house in December 1975 for a bargain price, knowing its bloody past.
- Kathleen "Kathy" Lutz (née Quackenbush): Born 1946. She and George had three children from her previous marriage.
- The Children: Daniel Lutz, Christopher Lutz, and Missy Lutz.
- The Haunting: The family moved out after just 28 days, claiming to have experienced terrifying paranormal phenomena, including strange odors, cold spots, green slime, and apparitions. Their story became the basis for the 1977 book, The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson.
Fact 1: The House Address is No Longer 112 Ocean Avenue
The most immediate and practical change to the property is its official identity. The address 112 Ocean Avenue, Amityville, NY 11701, is now purely historical. Following the intense media scrutiny and constant stream of unwanted visitors after the publication of the book and the release of the 1979 film, subsequent owners took drastic measures to reclaim their privacy.
The current address of the notorious Dutch Colonial home has been changed to 108 Ocean Avenue. This change was reportedly initiated by Jim and Barbara Cromarty, the family who purchased the house from the Lutzes in 1977. The Cromartys lived in the home for ten years and consistently denied any claims of supernatural activity, stating that the Lutzes' story was a "total fabrication" and a "hoax." The address alteration, along with significant exterior renovations to change the distinctive quarter-moon windows (which have been replaced with square ones), were necessary steps to discourage the public from visiting the site, preserving the anonymity of the residents in Suffolk County, Long Island.
Fact 2: The House Last Sold in 2017 for $605,000
Despite its gruesome history, the property remains a valuable piece of Long Island real estate. The infamous house has changed hands multiple times since the Lutz family fled in 1976, and its sale history offers a fascinating glimpse into its fluctuating market value:
- 1975: Purchased by George and Kathy Lutz for $55,000.
- 1977: Purchased by Jim and Barbara Cromarty.
- 2010: Sold to Caroline D'Antonio for $950,000.
- 2017: The house officially sold in February/March 2017 to an undisclosed owner for $605,000. This price was significantly lower than the original asking price of $850,000, suggesting the house’s notoriety still impacts its final sale value.
As of late 2025, the property is not on the market. Real estate estimates place the current market value of the five-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bathroom home at approximately $1,066,000, reflecting the general appreciation of property values in the Amityville area.
Fact 3: The House is a Continuous Private Residence (No Tours or Museum)
A common misconception is that the Amityville house is either abandoned or operates as some form of morbid tourist attraction. This is categorically false. The house at 108 Ocean Avenue is, and has been, a continuous private residence since the Lutz family left. The current residents, whose identity is kept strictly confidential, live a normal, private life, shielded by the address change, the removal of the iconic windows, and a strong local community that respects their privacy.
Unlike other famous true-crime locations, the Amityville house has never been open for tours, nor has it been converted into a museum. The neighborhood, located near the bay on Long Island, is quiet and affluent, with residents actively discouraging any attempts by tourists or filmmakers to trespass or disturb the peace. The owners have made it clear that they are simply homeowners, not caretakers of a horror landmark.
Fact 4: The Killer, Ronald DeFeo Jr., Died in 2021
A major, recent development that closed a chapter on the original crime was the death of Ronald "Butch" DeFeo Jr. DeFeo Jr. was the sole perpetrator of the 1974 massacre, convicted in 1975 and sentenced to six concurrent sentences of 25 years to life. He died in the custody of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision on March 12, 2021, at the age of 69.
His death ended any further speculation about his potential release on parole, a process he was eligible for every two years. It also solidified the finality of the tragedy, shifting the focus entirely from the killer to the ongoing legacy of the alleged haunting and the true-crime narrative. DeFeo Jr.'s passing is a key entity in the updated history of the Amityville saga.
Fact 5: The "Amityville Horror" Legacy Continues to Expand with New Media
The story of 112 Ocean Avenue continues to be a source of inspiration for filmmakers, ensuring the legend remains fresh in the public consciousness, even in 2025. The original 1979 film, starring James Brolin and Margot Kidder, cemented the house's place in pop culture. The legacy has since spawned a vast cinematic universe, including:
- A 2005 remake starring Ryan Reynolds.
- Numerous direct-to-video sequels and prequels, such as Amityville II: The Possession and Amityville 3-D.
- The recent mention of a new 2024 film, which keeps the topicality of the house alive.
This endless stream of media, often blurring the lines between the DeFeo murders, the Lutz family's claims of paranormal activity, and outright fiction, ensures that the address—be it 112 Ocean Avenue or 108 Ocean Avenue—will forever be synonymous with American horror. The house itself, however, remains a silent, private home, a stark contrast to the terrifying, sensationalized image presented on the screen.
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