After reading Part 1, it’s time to expand past the confines of the movie and into the area of the backstory, the DeFeo murders.
Why did Ron “Butch” DeFeo Jr. kill his family? Who died?
Likely, insurance on his parents, namely his father first, as it was just one of the first questions, he asked investigators about how to collect, however no firm reason ever been present for the reason of the slaughter. The defense of “the devil made me do it” came much later after his stories started falling apart at a faster rate. Ron age 23 killed his parents Ronald, 43, 1930-1974 and Louise DeFeo, 43, 1931-1974; his brothers Marc, 12, 1962-1974 and John, 9, 1965-1974, then his sisters Allison, 13, 1961-1974 and lastly, Dawn, 18, 1956-1974. He’s become eligible for parole a few times, each time never taking responsibility for his crimes and yet providing an entertaining time to the parole board with new stories or versions of the crime, no one buys any of them.
Ronald DeFeo Jr.
Wasn’t that the basis for the movie, the DeFeo murders?
Not exactly, the movie focuses on an evil living in the home, which influences Ron “Butch” DeFeo Jr, to murder although it becomes more muddled as the evil grew from weird connections to everything under the sun, devil worship, Salem witch trials, sacrifice, pagan Indian rituals. However, the movie tries to tie to how George Lutz appeared like Ron, both in looks and reference lines in the movie.
Did any film of the series include the DeFeo murders more directly?
Yes, there are two moves of the franchise that do that, the first is Amityville II: The Possession [1982] which included the violence and abuse from the father and how the demonic possession reimagines the family turmoil and destruction. The second film would be The Amityville Murders [2018], which is direct retelling of the events that lead to the murders. Both films do add supernatural elements.
How many stories had DeFeo given?
There’s been at least 20 versions given, from Dawn committing the murders, and then they struggled for the gun to he was hired to eliminate the family, mob connections even to the devil. In fact, to list all the stories, it takes 3-pages in a WORD file to attempt the feat with reasoning and detail.
Did the family all die face down and the opinion no one awoke during the shooting?
Yes, the crime scene photos (which I have seen) show the impact of the bullets hitting each family member face down (this also connects for some to paranormal matters), it is believed Ron killed his father first and then his mother, next his siblings. It is also suggested that he possibly drugged each of them, as he had plenty of narcotics to make that happened, however in the readings of numerous coroner reports account that no drugs were present in the victims, though it was first believed that only person had heroin in their system and that was Ron. As for not moving (which baffled police), unsure could have been to be frozen by fear, whichever the case its helps those who believe in the devilish influence to conjure more paranormal theories. Neighbors heard no gunshots, only the family dog Shaggy barking a common occurrence for him, which also confused the police, however most likely the shootings of the children were done at extremely close range causing muzzle flash impact. Hans Holzer believed strong psychic energy caused a blockage in the sound traveling. Often the reason theorists point to the face down matter relates back to devilish manifestations as a rejection to Christ, on the belly as shame and full of sin. However, this fails when you try to relate it back to the children sins did they held to damn their immortal souls for all eternity.
As suggested in the movie, The Amityville Horror, is the land an ancient Indian burial ground?
There’s much conjecture over this aspect, the Amityville Historical Society used to have information on the area, but since lost or removed it, to remove any taint on the area, paranormal/ghost hunter Hans Holzer stated he was told by the society that a skeleton of an Indian Chief found in the vicinity during the 1900s however once again the information of this vanished into dust with passage of time.
How about the devil worshipper John Ketcham’s involvement?
Another legend, where believability becomes highly muddled, in legend John was a devil worshipper from Massachusetts who fled in fear, when the Salem Witch Trials occurred, relocating to Amityville and continued practicing the black arts. The historical evidence shows that a Ketcham lived in the area, a notable family, but none of them connect to the Salem area, or to the trials, in addition, never involving with witchcraft or satanism.
Did the Warrens investigate the house in The Amityville Horror? Their findings?
Yes, the famous or infamous (depending on your opinion) couple Lorraine and Ed investigated the house on February 24, 1976 and once more on March 6, 1976. Lorraine stated she felt overwhelming sensations of dread and sadness and received nonstop clairvoyant images and sounds. Ed spent time in the basement who recalled seeing shadows and lights moving. They held two seances with one at 3:15a in the sewing room, a location that had a strong vibrations of doom, during the March 6th night an infrared camera set up on the 2nd floor landing by Warren’s friend assistant Gene Campbell a photographer which took random photos, which later revealed a possible ghost child that links back to DeFeo’s children, however some dismiss this as someone peering out because of the brightness of their eyes in the photo.
Why did Father Pecoraro, contradict himself, was he a liar?
I do not know if he truly lied or exaggerated the incident, perhaps from a spiritual mindset he experienced something or a more skeptical would hint there was to be a financial contribution to his parish. However, another aspect, for the changing of the story is that the Church did not give him permission to speak on behalf of this situation especially since it became such media blowback.
In 2011, one of the Lutz children Christopher came forward about the occurrences?
He said that many of the events described in Anson’s book were fictionalized. Odd things occurred but would not clearly state (or properly recall from his childhood) what oddities there were.
The Lutz
What do you believe, Baron?
I don’t think the house is or was haunted, I believe Ron likely murdered his entire family due his excessive mixture of drugs which cause paranoid delusions. As to what happened to the Lutz’? I think after reviewing all the evidence, they knowingly came up with a plan to purchase the house then conjure the stories of haunting activities, to cash in on the potential windfall of notable rights. Recalling the home had numerous deaths in it and trying to sell a dwelling like that is quite difficult, followed with the strange aspect of keeping all the future too, just new box springs and mattress was a tad bizarre. I base this upon no one before the DeFeo’s or after Lutz’ experience any strange goings-on, as for the Warrens, I think they got sucked into the mess, perhaps they found rituals of activity of the tragedy and even became influenced by the gruesome history. Nevertheless, it’s still a great storyline base to debate.
Ronald DeFeo Jr. died in prison on March 12, 2021 at the age of 69.
Well, that concludes the Q&A, if you know of a horror film worthy of in-depth Q&A let us know, until then know your home holds secrets, those creaks and cold spots may be more than just normal house settling aspects, rather your home or something might be watching you.