The DeFeo Murders and the Amityville Horror - 'I Killed Them All'
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & CommentarySummary
The tragic story of the DeFeo family murders in Amityville, New York, unfolds with chilling details surrounding the events of November 13, 1974. Ronald DeFeo Jr. shot and killed six members of his family, including his parents and four siblings, using a .35 caliber rifle while they slept. The crime scene revealed no signs of struggle or noise, leading to speculation about how the family remained undisturbed during the shooting. DeFeo's tumultuous relationship with his father and his history of violence and drug use are highlighted as contributing factors to the horrific act.
Following the murders, DeFeo initially claimed that a mob hitman was responsible but later confessed to the killings, asserting they were in self-defense. His trial in 1975 garnered significant media attention, with the prosecution arguing that he committed the murders for financial gain, particularly to collect on his parents' life insurance. Despite his defense team's efforts to portray him as insane, the jury found him guilty on six counts of murder, leading to six consecutive life sentences.
DeFeo's story continued to evolve over the years, with various claims about the events of that night and the motivations behind his actions. He died in prison in March 2021, leaving behind a legacy of violence and tragedy that has captivated public interest for decades. The case remains a grim reminder of the complexities surrounding familial relationships and the dark undercurrents that can lead to unimaginable acts of violence.
Show Notes
On November 13, 1974, Ronald "Butch" DeFeo Jr. shot six members of his family in their beds at 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York, with a .35-caliber Marlin rifle. His mother had told the cleaning woman something tragic was coming. His father had been giving him money and cars for years, and Butch had already pulled a loaded shotgun on him once. At trial he told the jury he killed them all in self-defense and that he was God when he held a gun. The jury came back unanimous. From prison he spent forty-five years blaming his dead sister, inventing a wife, and changing the story with every visitor. Then the house lived again. The Lutz family moved three children in thirteen months after the murders. The book said A True Story. Their lawyer said they made it up. A judge called it fiction. George Lutz trademarked the name and sued his own stepson. The children were five, seven, and ten. Two of them eventually spoke about the man who moved them in. Listen Anywhere You Get Podcasts: https://pod.link/1655749292 Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video? Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod?sub_confirmation=1 Join Our SubStack For AD-FREE ADVANCE EPISODES & EXTRAS!: https://hiddenkillers.substack.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod This publication contains commentary and opinion based on publicly available information. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Nothing published here should be taken as a statement of fact, health or legal advice. #Amityville #RonaldDeFeo #HiddenKillers #DeFeoMurders #AmityvilleHorror #GeorgeLutz #112OceanAvenue #TrueCrime #TrueCrimeDocumentary #ColdCase
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