According a 1974 report in The New York Times, the DeFeos were considered, in the words of one neighbor, "a nice, normal family." ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) The man convicted of slaughtering his parents and four siblings in a home that later inspired the "The Amityville Horror" book and movies has died, prison officials said Monday. Born to Ronald and Louise DeFeo, his father was a successful automobile salesman for his family's Brooklyn dealership. The convicted murderer was transferred to Albany Medical Center and pronounced dead at 6:35 p.m. An autopsy by the Albany County Medical Examiners Office will determine an official cause of death. He was sentenced on six counts of second-degree crime for the killings, which took place on Nov. 13, 1974, inside the Dutch Colonial-style home in Amityville where he lived with his family. Ariz. Man Kills Wife and 18-Year-Old Daughter in Murder-Suicide that Left Girl, 12, Wounded, Robert Rosamilio/NY Daily News Archive via Getty, Mass. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Ray Liuzza, a 34-year-old businessman, was recently promoted to Vice President of a hotel. Failed to remove flower. cemeteries found in will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Ronald DeFeo at a court hearing in 1992 - he died on Friday at the age of 69 while serving life for the murders of his parents and four siblings in Amityville, New York Credit: Getty The 1974. What was Ronald DeFeo Jr.'s cause of death? Mother of the DeFeo family and wife of Ronald DeFeo, Sr. Maybe you are right and they dont release Ronald DeFeos cause of death over a cover-up. Death 12 Mar 2021 (aged 69) Albany, Albany County, New York, USA. He died Friday, March 12. I feel for the family, no matter what the sick, twisted, and demented reason was behind the deaths. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. or redistributed. The corrections department said it couldn't disclose why DeFeo was hospitalized, citing health privacy laws. Prison officials released the news to the public but did not reveal why he had been at the hospital in the first place or what his cause of death was. The killer's last victim was the family's youngest child, John DeFeo, 9. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? DeFeo died Friday while serving a 25 years-to-life sentence at Sullivan Correctional facility in Fallsburg, New York, officials told Newsday. Speaking to Ric Osuna, the author of The Night The DeFeos Died, in November 2000, DeFeo confessed that along with his sister Dawn and two of his friends he'd planned the murders of the family"out of desperation". DeFeo was transferred to Albany Medical . DeFeo, nicknamed Butch, who was 23 at the time, admitted he was an LSD and heroin user but he was deemed safe at the time of the attack. Over the years in interviews, DeFeo stated several unsubstantiated explanations of what happened including blaming his sister Dawn for killing their siblings and attempting to kill him, which resulted in DeFeo killing her in self-defense. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/224476445/ronald-defeo. His defense attorney attempted to use the "insanity" plea, however, a jury rejected the argument, and DeFeo was convicted of six counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to six consecutive life sentences. The Albany County Coroner's Office, which is responsible for determining what caused his death, said it doesn't release such information except to relatives of the dead. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Ronald DeFeo, 69, died Friday at Albany Medical Center, where he was taken Feb. 2 from a prison in New York's Catskill Mountains, the state Department of Corrections and Community Services. Over the years, the famed Amityville house, located at 108 Ocean Avenue, has gone through tons of owners. I dont think the truth of what happened in that house will ever be known. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Ronald DeFeo Jr was serving a 25-to-life sentence for the brutal killing of his mom, dad, two sisters and two brothers. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. The then-23-year-old killed his family members, who were all in bed at the time. Investigators found his story to be full of discrepancies and his guilt was further substantiated with the uncovering of evidence linking him to the crimes. To get the father. New York, and had been taken to the hospital on February 2nd. It is believed the 13-year-old girl was awake at the time of her death when she received a bullet in her head. DeFeo was 69 years old at the time of his death and it's possible that he died of natural causes or some underlying health condition that wasn't public knowledge. As far as hauntings go, however, there are ongoing conflicting reports. He later confessed to the murders, was tried, found guilty, and incarcerated. He unsuccessfully sought a retrial in 1992, claiming that his 18-year-old sister killed the other five family members and that he then shot her. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. / CBS Detroit. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. Ronald DeFeo Jr., the convicted killer whose 1974 murders spawned the "Amityville Horror" franchise, died last week while serving a 25 years-to-life prison term, officials said Monday. An autopsy by the Albany County Medical Examiners Office will rule an official cause of death. ", "The whole story was made up," O'Neill said. ALBANY -- One of the most infamous criminals in the New York State prison system, "Amityville Horrors" murderer Ronald "Butch" DeFeo, has died while in state custody, CNHI confirmed Monday . Officials did not disclose the reason DeFeo was hospitalized to PEOPLE, citing privacy laws. Early in the police investigation, DeFeo lied to authorities stating he believed the murders were mob-related. He unsuccessfully sought a retrial in 1992, claiming that his 18-year-old sister killed the other five family members and that he then shot her. Romance in the Air, Story of AustralianGreat Singer Archie Roachs Cause of Death. It wasn't clear why DeFeo, who was serving his sentence at Sullivan Correctional Facility, was hospitalized, and a cause of death was still being determined by the medical examiner's office in Albany County, officials said. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. Boeing employee bought lottery ticket because it was at $747M, a nod to the aircraft. DeFeo whose murderous spree served as the inspiration behind the "The Amityville Horror" book and movie franchise died Friday while serving a 25-years-to-life sentence at Sullivan. DeFeo had claimed as much during his defense, but he was found guilty of murder and was serving out six sentences of 25 years to life in prison when he died. Actress Rebel Wilson recently revealed she was banned from the Happiest Place on Earth for 30 days over a selfie she took in a "secret bathroom.". "Amityville Horror" killer Ronald DeFeo -- who killed his six family members in 1974 on Long Island -- has died behind bars, according to officials. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. The original address of the home when the murders took place was 112 Ocean Ave. but it was eventually changed to 108 Ocean Ave. in order to discourage tourists. Ronald DeFeo, the convicted . In fact, the Albany County Coroner's Office is not able to release the cause of death to anyone except relatives, due to health privacy laws. "I loved my family very much," he said at a 1999 parole hearing, where he also said he had gotten married while in prison. DeFeo was serving a sentence of 25 years to life in the 1974 killings in Amityville, on suburban Long Island. Year should not be greater than current year. There was a problem getting your location. Ronald DeFeo Jr., center, leaves Suffolk County District Court in New York after a hearing Nov. 15, 1974. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. 'The Amityville Horror' book and movies were based on the case. The stately, 5,000-square-foot abode underwent renovations after Caroline and David DAntonio purchased it in 2010 for $950,000. Unlike giving him a fair trial to begin with! He then claimed he knocked her unconscious on to her bed and shot her in the head. Download for FREE! Search above to list available cemeteries. Their experiences inspired the 1976 novel The Amityville Horror: A True Story, which was turned into a horror film in 1979 and remade in 2005 starring Ryan Reynolds. To use this feature, use a newer browser. When I saw it; Derek said the sister killed them. Is Nanci Griffiths Cause of Death Related to a Health Problem? All rights reserved. And insurance money motive. The cause of death will be determined by the Albany County Medical Examiner's Office, the spokeswoman said. He used that rifle to kill his mother, his father, his two brothers and his two sisters. The home was listed as recently as 2016 for $850,000. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. Robert DeFeo JR. DeFeo was serving a sentence of 25 years to life for shooting and killing his parents and four siblings as they slept in their beds, the he New York state Department of Corrections and Community Services told PEOPLE. He died while serving a 25 years-to-life sentence for the murders. Mother of the DeFeo family and wife of Ronald DeFeo, Sr. She was murdered, along with the rest of her family, by her eldest son, Ronald Jr., on November 13, 1974. George Lutz told ABC News in 2006 that some scenes in the book and movie including the green slime were embellished. Because of DeFeo's claims, however, many have believed that the Amityville house is haunted and that it can control its inhabitants. Make sure that the file is a photo. The scene of six grisly murders went on to inspire the Amityville Horror books and movies. The killer, 69, was found dead on Friday at Sullivan Correctional Facility in upstate Fallsburg officials confirmed. Offers may be subject to change without notice. However, the next day, Ronald admitted to killing all his six family members himself. Drag images here or select from your computer for Ronald DeFeo Jr. memorial. Add to your scrapbook. Most were undisturbed by any paranormal happenings and instead had to contend with horror movie fanatics who would walk up to or drive by the house to ogle at it. These cookies do not store any personal information. DeFeo had been at the Albany Medical Center on March 12, 2021, when he was declared dead. March 15 (UPI) -- Ronald DeFeo Jr., whose 1974 murders of his Long Island, N.Y., family inspired the horror movie franchise The Amityville Horror, has died in prison at age 69, state. During his trial, DeFeo attempted to invoke the insanity defense, stating that he had heard voices in the house that encouraged him to murder his family. It was reported that his cause of death would be determined and announced by the Albany County Medical Examiner's Office officially. We have set your language to Market data provided by Factset. Now, it is no longer for sale, but it wouldn't be surprising if the current owners find a reason to place it on the market once again. The cause of his death wasn't immediately known. So what was his cause of death? Ronald Jr., the oldest of five children frequently argued violently with his father. In 1997, it was purchased for $310,000 and then sold again in 2010 for $950,000. Ronald DeFeo Jr., the killer who inspired The Amityville Horror book and movie series, has died, according to a spokesperson for the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Services (DOCCS). All six victims were later buried in St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale. All Rights Reserved. A cause of death has not yet been announced, but will be determined by the Albany County coroner. Born Louise Brigante, she was a former model and it was believed she was dating singer Mel Torme before her marriage to Ronald Sr. Ronald Jr also killed his 18-year-old sister Dawn, who he later blamed for the killings of the rest of the family. On December 4, Judge Thomas Stark handed down six sentences of 25 years to life. First published on March 15, 2021 / 7:59 PM. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. A year after the slaughter, George and Kathy Lutz purchased the home, they claimed that they had been forced to leave the house after noticing strange sounds, voices and green slime oozing from the walls, less than a month after moving in. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Ronald Jr mom Louise DeFeo, 43, was the second victim who was shot in the back twice. Ronald DeFeo at a court hearing in 1992 - he died on Friday at the age of 69 while serving life for the murders of his parents and four siblings in Amityville, New York Credit: Getty The 1974 massacre in Amityville, Long Island, horrified America and saw DeFeo jailed for life. He was convicted in 1975 of six counts of second-degree murder and received six sentences of 25 years to life. The cause of his death wasn't immediately known. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Dr Hilary says Sarah Everard vigils are 'Covid superspreading events however strong people feel'. Did you encounter any technical issues? 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This story first appeared in the New York Post. Officials said DeFeo was transferred to Albany Medical Center and was pronounced dead on March 12 at 6:35 p.m. An autopsy by the Albany County Medical Examiner's Office will rule an official cause of death. He was 69. Nicknamed "Big Ronnie" he was married to Louise DeFeo and had five children. After confessing to the murders, he was convicted in November 1975 and the following month he was sentenced to six sentences of 25-years-to-life by Judge Thomas Stark. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Ronald DeFeo Jr was convicted of murdering his parents Louise and Ronald DeFeo Sr and his four siblings Dawn, Allison, Marc and John. DeFeo, who went by the nickname Butch, was eligible for a parole hearing in July. Take a moment to remember his family. DeFeo was 23 when he shot his parents, two sisters and two brothers at their home in Amityville, on Long Island's south shore, on Nov. 13, 1974.