My Discussion With A Real Current Resident And Who Lived There During The Defeo Incident In 1974
I’ve met an acquaintance from Amityville New York. Once I heard that – I had to ask about THE House, THE movie and what’s it like now… :
It’s a fascinating story. I do remember reading that Alec Baldwin grew up in Amityville, too. He said that no one believed the Lutz story either.
Do you remember much about the aftermath? I’m assuming curfews, fear and camera crews? Were you/kids afraid to go near the place? And how do you handle all of the publicity and inquiries from people like me!?
Also – did the old movie scare the crap out of you? Or was it forbidden to watch? Is ten minutes away too close? I’m a sissy!
Here’s the response…
I’ve lived in Amity for about 50 years and in my current house 18 years. We live about 10 minutes from Ocean Ave. It’s a gorgeous neighborhood with trees up and down the sidewalks and a very wide street down the middle. Very picturesque. The facade of the house is very different than the one you are used to seeing in the posters/films. I imagine the work was done to discourage visitors to the house. I think someone lives there, but I can’t swear to that.
My family had just moved to Amity in 1974 when the DeFeo Murders happened. I remember my parents talking about it. I think Ron DeFeo died in prison a few years ago. As for the other happenings, there are many sides to that story. There is a documentary out there where Ron DeFeo says his sister murdered the father and the mother killed the siblings and he only killed the sister out of self defense. There are so many different stories from DeFeo that it’s hard to know what really happened that night. As for the Lutzs’, no one really knows if any of what they claim is true. None of the neighbors ever reported anything unusual about the house and as far as I know, nothing weird has happened since. It’s just a really beautiful old house in a nice quiet neighborhood.
I’ve lived here for so long, I never think the murders or the Lutzs until someone asks about the house. We are not so close that we see the house everyday but it’s about 10 minutes from my house. Personally, I think it’s a beautiful house and I would live there. I love that neighborhood…so beautiful and quiet and quaint. I don’t think news crews have been in front of the house for years. (Overnight parking is not allowed in Amity because of the chaos from the movie.) There really is no reason to. I saw the Margot Kidder/James Brolin movie in the theaters with my mom. I thought this version was much creepier than the Ryan Reynolds remake.
Also if you ever visit the Amityville Historical Museum, there is absolutely no mention of the murders in any way.
What a unique story and I am grateful for your answers. Thank you for sharing!
Rich and Strange! 