Murder In America - EP. 222: NEW YORK: The Amityville Horror Murders
Date: October 31, 2025
Hosts: Courtney Shannon & Colin Browen
Overview:
This episode dives deep into the infamous 1974 DeFeo family murders at 112 Ocean Avenue, Amityville, New York— crimes that not only shattered a family and a community but also spawned a legacy of supernatural folklore immortalized as “The Amityville Horror.” Colin and Courtney recount the harrowing crime, its troubled and violent roots, the controversial trial of Ronald “Butch” DeFeo Jr., and the subsequent transformation of a tragic murder site into an American haunting legend.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The DeFeo Family – From Affluence to Dysfunction
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Idyllic Beginnings:
- The DeFeos were a prominent Italian Catholic family gifted a dream home in upscale Amityville by Louise DeFeo’s wealthy parents (06:00).
- Life in Amityville was “slow and without incident” before the murders (01:31).
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Beneath the Surface:
- Despite their outward tranquility, the family was troubled by Ronald Sr.'s volatile temper and abuse (07:10), culminating in frequent parental fights and child mistreatment.
- The eldest, Ronald “Butch” DeFeo Jr., suffered severe bullying, social isolation, addiction, and growing violence—escalating family instability (10:21).
Notable Quote:
"Ronald Sr. and Luis had been struggling with their eldest son for years. He was constantly drinking and doing drugs, stealing money and getting into fights." – Colin Brown (13:22)
2. Build-Up to Massacre
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Escalating Tensions:
- Butch repeatedly stole from the family, fabricated robberies, and threatened his father with a gun well before the murders (10:21, 13:22).
- By November 1974, Butch was on probation with unchecked substance abuse issues.
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Moments Before the Crime:
- On November 13, 1974, Butch burst into a local bar claiming he'd just found his parents murdered (14:45).
3. Discovery & Initial Investigation
- Scene Unveiled:
- Friends and patrons who responded to Butch’s plea found the grisly discovery: both parents and four siblings shot dead in their beds (17:14–21:53, 20:04).
- Butch claimed mafia hitman Louis Fellini was responsible, exploiting his family’s mob connections (20:04).
Notable Quote (Butch at Bar):
“Bobby, you gotta help me. Somebody shot my mother and father.” – Butch DeFeo (15:43)
- Forensic Contradictions:
- Butch’s timeline conflicted with forensic evidence—his story unraveled as police uncovered a matching box of ammo and the murder weapon near the home (24:08).
4. The Confessions and Changing Stories
- Interrogation Dynamics:
- Butch cycled through multiple stories—mob hitmen, accomplices, and various denials.
- He openly insulted his murdered family during interrogation, showing disturbing lack of remorse (25:52).
Notable Quote:
"Once I started, I couldn't stop. It went so fast." – Butch DeFeo (28:26)
- Final Confession:
- Ultimately, Butch confessed to acting alone, describing the calculated murders in explicit detail (28:31–30:30).
5. The Murders—Details and Unsolved Mysteries
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Crime Details:
- All victims shot as they slept—none showed signs of waking, fighting back, or being drugged (30:30–31:59).
- No neighbors heard gunshots; the lack of noise remains unexplained.
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Immediate Aftermath:
- Butch showered, cleaned, disposed of evidence, and went about his day, later feigning horror at the bar (31:59).
6. Investigation Complications & Theories
- Insanity Plea & Contradictions:
- Butch’s insanity defense centered on hearing voices and demonic possession, fueling the future "Amityville Horror" (35:32).
Notable Quote:
“According to Butch, there were spirits within his house…on the night of the murders, Satan had possessed him.” – Courtney Brown (35:32)
- Multiple Shooters Theory:
- Some investigators and Butch’s grandfather believed multiple killers were likely due to logistical improbabilities (39:39).
- Butch’s ever-shifting accounts at times implicated his sister Dawn and unnamed friends (41:36–45:51).
- Forensic analysis found unburned gunpowder on Dawn’s clothes—evidence interpreted both for and against an accomplice theory.
7. The Trial and Verdict
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Legal Proceedings:
- Initial defense stymied by lack of access to prosecution’s case materials (33:26).
- Notorious for conflicting confessions, Butch’s erratic behavior bolstered the insanity defense—but ultimately failed before the jury (36:55–38:25).
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Outcome:
- Jury convicted Butch on six counts of second-degree murder (November 21, 1975), sentencing him to six consecutive sentences of 25 years to life (38:25).
- DeFeo displayed an “eerie smile” as verdict was read (38:25).
Courtroom Moment:
"Instead, everyone in the courtroom watched as an eerie smile stretched across Butch's face." – Courtney Brown (38:25)
8. Legacy—From True Crime to Cultural Phenomenon
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Enduring Theories & Skepticism:
- Butch would continue to change his story, and many remain unconvinced a single person perpetrated the crime (39:39–45:51).
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Aftermath for the House:
- DeFeo family’s tragic end inspired haunted house legends. The subsequent Lutz family haunting experiences, sensationalized in “The Amityville Horror,” blended real trauma with alleged supernatural events (47:50–52:00).
Highlights from the Lutzes’ Experience:
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“Extreme temperature drops... walls allegedly oozed green slime...”
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“Their daughter saw a ‘demonic pig-like entity’ with red eyes called Jody.”
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“The Lutzes abandoned the house after only 28 days, leaving all their possessions behind.” – Colin Browen (47:50–52:00)
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Debunking the Haunting:
- Later investigations and legal admissions revealed the Lutz haunting story was likely fabricated for profit, bolstered by collaboration with Butch’s attorney and inspired by pop culture horror (50:00–53:45).
- Later homeowners confirmed no supernatural activity, casting further doubt on the legend.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On the rapid, senseless violence:
"Once I started, I couldn't stop. It went so fast." – Butch DeFeo (28:26)
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On Amityville’s changed identity:
“The DeFeo family murders... did more than stain a family home. The murders rewrote the village’s identity. From that night on, Amityville was no longer a quiet harbor town. It became a story told in whispers.” – Courtney Brown (56:44)
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On the origins of the Amityville Horror legend:
“According to Butch, there were spirits within his house…on the night of the murders, Satan had possessed him.” – Courtney Brown (35:32)
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On the true root of tragedy:
“It’s widely believed that Butch didn’t kill his family because of ghosts. Instead, he killed them because of his addiction, rage and mental decay.” – Courtney Brown (56:44)
Important Timestamps
- 01:31 – The tranquil reputation of Amityville before the murders
- 09:02–10:21 – Butch’s early troubles and violent behavior
- 13:22 – Evidence of ongoing familial strife and criminality
- 14:45–20:04 – Discovery of the murders and Butch’s initial accusations
- 24:08–25:52 – Key forensic discoveries leading to Butch’s arrest
- 28:26 – Butch’s damning confession
- 31:59 – Forensic oddities; lack of sedatives and silencer
- 35:32–36:55 – Butch’s supernatural and insanity claims on trial
- 38:25 – Verdict and sentencing
- 47:50–52:00 – The Lutz family & birth of the Amityville Horror legend
- 53:45 – Debunking of haunting; legacy in pop culture
- 56:44 – Closing reflections on the tragedy’s enduring shadow
Tone & Style
Faithful to the hosts’ style—intensely descriptive, empathetic to victims, and cautious about sensationalism—this episode draws a clear boundary between the horrifying reality of the crime and the seductive unreality of its myth. The narrative is a steady build from domestic dysfunction to lasting urban legend, balancing shocking forensic detail, emotional insight, and historical skepticism.
Conclusion
Colin and Courtney meticulously peel back the layers of the Amityville case—not just as a notorious murder but as a lens to examine the line between real human tragedy and the supernatural mythos it spawned. The DeFeo murders remain a chilling reminder of hidden family darkness and the cultural appetite for haunting tales, even as the truth behind that fateful night remains partly obscured by legends.
Final Reflection:
"What likely happened was simpler, far more sad and far too real. A complete break. The final collapse of a mind left untreated." – Courtney Brown (56:44)