First published on March 15, 2021 / 7:59 PM. Please try again later. He did leave behind three ex-wives and, according to one of his exes, he was also the father to at least one child. On November 13, 1974, Ronald DeFeo, Jr. killed his entire family. Maybe you are right and they dont release Ronald DeFeos cause of death over a cover-up. We are eagerly waiting to see what you think. Oops, we were unable to send the email. It is believed the 13-year-old girl was awake at the time of her death when she received a bullet in her head. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. DeFeo, who was 69, was convicted of killing his father, mother, two brothers and two sisters inside their Amityville home in 1974, according to CNN affiliate WABC. Louise Marie Brigante DeFeo (1931-1974) - Find a Legal Statement. In 2006, in a jailhouse interview, DeFeo Jr. claimed that he only killed his father and mother, and after that, his eldest sister, Dawn, because she murdered the other siblings before DeFeo killed her. The home and the killings became the basis of the horror movie classic "The Amityville Horror" after another family briefly lived there for about a year after the killings and claimed the house was haunted. Ronald DeFeo Jr., whose murder of family members launched 'The The corrections department said it couldn't disclose why DeFeo was hospitalized, citing health privacy laws. The State Department of Corrections and Community Supervisions (SDCCS) spokeswoman said she could not immediately comment on the case. GREAT NEWS! 'Amityville Horror' killer Ronald DeFeo dies in Albany DeFeo was serving a sentence of 25 years to life in the 1974 killings in Amityville, on suburban Long Island. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. "Amityville Horror" killer Ronald DeFeo -- who killed his six family members in 1974 on Long Island -- has died behind bars, according to officials. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Ronald DeFeo Jr was serving a 25-to-life sentence for the brutal killing of his mom, dad, two sisters and two brothers. The Albany County Coroner's Office, tasked with determining what caused his death, said it doesn't release such information, except to relatives of the dead. Ronald DeFeo Jr., center, leaves Suffolk County District Court in New York after a hearing Nov. 15, 1974. Thanks for your help! Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Ronald Joseph DeFeo, Jr. was an American mass murderer and family annihilator who, in the early morning hours of November 14, 1974, systematically shot each member of his family to death. Officials did not disclose the reason DeFeo was hospitalized to PEOPLE, citing privacy laws. He was a PI on the case. After his initial conviction, DeFeo pursued an unsuccessful retrial in 1992 in which he claimed that his sister had shot the rest of their family members before he shot her, the AP reported. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. 'Amityville Horror' killer Ronald DeFeo Jr. dies in prison I dont think anyone knows what went on in that house but those that lived there. The home became the basis of a horror-movie classic after another family briefly lived there about a year after the killings and claimed the house was haunted. Perpetrator Shot Liuzza Essay - 822 Words | Internet Public Library Please enter your email and password to sign in. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. The New York man convicted of gruesomely killing his siblings and parents in 1974 and subsequently inspiring the Amityville Horror franchise has died. 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 . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Ronald DeFeo Jr was serving a 25-to-life sentence for killing his entire family in 1974, DeFeo, who was 23 at the time, claimed 'voices' inside his head prompted him to kill his family, James Brolin and Margot Kidder star in 1979 trailer for The Amityville Horror, Fury as Brit mum faces life in jail for backing Hong Kong democracy under China's chilling freedom of speech crackdown, Boris Johnson unveils bumper post-Brexit vision for defence as he vows more nukes to keep nation safe, Prince Philip, 99, leaves hospital in good spirits and waves as he returns to Windsor Castle two weeks after heart op, ISIS using Covid lockdown to brainwash Brit kids in their bedrooms with VIDEO GAMES to make them lone wolf attackers, Former NFL star Keyshawn Johnson announces death of daughter Maia aged just 25 leaving family heartbroken, Woman flashed by man after Sarah Everard vigil claims cop told her 'I don't want to deal with rioters'. Similarly to his brother Marc, John was shot from close range. 9:38 PM EDT, Mon March 15, 2021. I found on Findagrave.com. When Ronald DeFeo Jr initially reported the deaths of his family, he ran into a local police station and claimed they had been shot. Ronald DeFeo Jr. dead: The true story of the Amityville Horror killer Monique Samuels Divorce Rumors From Chris After 10 Years! 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. IE 11 is not supported. 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 . He claimed that what led to the killings was their father's regular abuse and it was initially Dawn's idea, who killed their siblings first. Theories Of Why Butch Defeo Killed His Family - 647 Words | Bartleby 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 'The Staircase' : Where Is Michael Peterson Now? Ronald "Butch" DeFeo, who committed the murders at the heart of the Amityville Horror book and movies, has died in New York state custody. Im pay my respects to half of the defeos not the abusive father Ron sr big Ronnie. A family of 7 paid with their lives, it just took one of them 47yrs to die while the rest went quickly. In this Nov. 15, 1974 file photo, Ronald DeFeo Jr., center, leaves Suffolk County district court after a hearing, on New York's Long Island. 'Amityville Horror' killer Ronald DeFeo dead in prison at 69 Condemned to six sentences of 25 years to life, DeFeo died in prison on March 12, 2021. DeFeo, whose nickname was Butch, was convicted of killing his mother, father, two sisters and two brothers inside their home in Amityville home on Ocean Avenue on Nov. 13, 1974. Social Media Sensation Bianca Devins Has Been Killed, Mpura and Killer Kau Died in Fatal Car Accident; Kabza is Alive, Tragic Story Stands Behind Luc Montagniers Cause of Death. Initially, he reported the murders himself, telling police someone had broken into the house and killed his family, and even claimed he thought the killer was Louis Falini, a mafia hitman. However, DeFeo's immediate loved ones aren't known and his cause of death is still a mystery to many. Murder Victim. One of those was a .35 caliber Marlin rifle. The corrections department said it couldn't disclose why DeFeo was hospitalized, citing health privacy laws. 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. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/224476445/ronald-defeo. In that regard, it could be all about the power of perception. DeFeo, whose nickname was Butch, was convicted of killing his mother, father, two sisters and two brothers inside their Amityville home on Ocean Avenue on Nov. 13, 1974. Physical evidence suggested that his mom and his younger sister were awake at the time of their deaths. An autopsy by the Albany County Medical Examiners Office will rule an official cause of death. When I saw it; Derek said the sister killed them. A book and two movies the 1979 original, starring James Brolin, Margot Kidder and Rod Steiger, and a 2005 remake portrayed a home with strange voices, walls that oozed slime, furniture that moved on its own, and other supernatural features. DeFeo, who went by the nickname Butch, was eligible for a parole hearing in July. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. 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Man Gets 375 Years for Killing 2 Children, Woman over Facebook Post, Former Minneapolis Police Officer Thomas Lane Gets 2.5 Years for His Role in the Killing of George Floyd, NYPD Officer Found Guilty of Killing Son, 8, with Autism After Making Him Sleep in Freezing Garage, Serial Killers' Kids who Turned in Their Parents or Spoke Out About Growing Up with Them. At trial, his lawyer mounted an insanity defense, claiming DeFeo heard voices saying his family was plotting against him. Everyone is wondering how did a murderer, Ronald DeFeo Jr, die? His cause of death was not released. 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. His insanity plea wasn't accepted, however, and in 1965, he was found guilty on six counts of murder and sentenced to six separate 25-years-to-life sentences. Ronald DeFeo Jr., the killer in "The Amityville Horror" case, has died, according to a spokesperson for the New York State prisons department. To get the father. 'Amityville Horror' killer Ronald DeFeo dies in prison - FOX 5 New York Maybe Butch had a reason, maybe he was sick and twisted,, maybe there was abuse going on behind doors, maybe there was spirits that caused it, or maybe there were00 others that helped him and have gotten away with it for a long time. 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. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Another possible reason he might have killed his family members was for a possibly sizable life insurance policy. Officials didn't release the cause of his death at the time, which only led to people wondering more about his death, which appeared to be sudden and unexpected. 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. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. At the time of DeFeo's 1974 confession of the murders, he claimed he had heard voices telling him his family was plotting against him and that he had to murder his parents and four siblings out of self-defense. 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. While all of these reasons seem probable, nothing was officially confirmed. Oops, something didn't work. Ronald DeFeo Changes His Story Over the years, DeFeo changed his story many times. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 'Amityville Horror' killer Ronald DeFeo Jr. dies in state custody He was convicted in 1975 of six counts of second-degree murder. Their story inspired the book The Amityville Horror which, in turn, inspired the movies that followed it. He was convicted in 1975 of six counts of second-degree murder and received six sentences of 25 years to life. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. 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. Disneyland banned Rebel Wilson over selfie, actress says, Coney Island casino and resort: First look at name, renderings, Driver shot in head during Bronx gas station robbery, surveillance shows. DeFeo gunned down his family using a .35-caliber Marlin lever-action rifle, inside their home on Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York, on November 13, 1974. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. The corrections department said it couldn't disclose why DeFeo was hospitalized, citing health privacy laws. Dawn had NOTHING to do with what her brother did. Fans Searching for Legendary Actor Tom Sizemores Death Cause, The Shadows of Knight Singer Jimmy Sohns Cause of Death. His dad Ronald DeFeo Sr., 43, his mom Louise DeFeo, 43, and siblings Dawn, 18, Allison, 13, Marc, 12, and John, 9. Learn More Here, From the Cecil Hotel to The Stanley Hotel, These Are the Most Haunted Hotels in America. Brooklyn, Kings County (Brooklyn), New York, USA. These cookies do not store any personal information. The then-23-year-old killed his family members, who were all in bed at the time. 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. AP. Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. The insanity plea was supported by the psychiatrist for the defence but the psychiatrist for the prosecution said although DeFeowas an LSD and heroin user, he had an antisocial personality disorder,meaning he was fully aware of his actions at the time of the attack. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. On December 5, 1984, in the heart of New Orleans, the lives of two men made a wrong turn towards death. The Albany County Coroner's Office, tasked with determining what caused his death, said it doesn't release such information, except to relatives of the dead. In 1997, it was purchased for $310,000 and then sold again in 2010 for $950,000. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. The home was listed as recently as 2016 for $850,000. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. This account has been disabled. The cause of death will be determined by the Albany County Medical Examiner's Office, the spokeswoman said. Ronald DeFeo Sr., 43, his mother Louise DeFeo, 42, and siblings Dawn, 18, Allison . His victims are all buried atSaint Charles CemeteryinFarmingdale. During his trial, DeFeo pursued an insanity defense and claimed that he had heard voices telling him to kill his family. The mass murderer was convicted on Nov. 21, 1975, and on Dec. 4, 1975, and was sentenced to six accusations of 25-years-to-life by Judge Thomas Stark. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. The cause of his death wasn't immediately known. Born to Ronald and Louise DeFeo, his father was a successful automobile salesman for his family's Brooklyn dealership. He was 69. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? Convicted 'Amityville Horror' killer Ronald DeFeo dead at 69 - KCRA 'The Amityville Horror' book and movies were based on the case. ", "The whole story was made up," O'Neill said. A Boeing employee has been identified as the winner of the record-breaking Powerball jackpot that was drawn on Feb. 6. But it hasnt stopped us from reading and talking about it since it happened! Legal Statement. Ronald DeFeo, Jr., pictured here being escorted by detectives in Suffolk County. What Was Ronald DeFeo Jr.'s Cause of Death? He Was Still in Prison But the family that was slaughtered there was real. Ronald DeFeo died on Friday at Albany Medical Center. Ronald DeFeo, the convicted . Resend Activation Email. Mother of the DeFeo family and wife of Ronald DeFeo, Sr. You can always change this later in your Account settings. This story first appeared in the New York Post. He died Friday, March 12. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? 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 said. ALBANY, N.Y. - 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. DeFeo gunned down his family using a .35-caliber Marlin lever-action rifle, inside their home on Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York, on November 13, 1974. One of the victims was Ronald DeFeo Sr, 43, the killer's father. cemeteries found in will be saved to your photo volunteer list. An autopsy . Amityville Killer Ronald DeFeo Jr. Dies In Prison - CBS New York 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. As far as hauntings go, however, there are ongoing conflicting reports. Take a moment to remember his family. Ronald DeFeo died on Friday. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. "It was orchestrated to help with a potential demonic defense for the son who murdered his family.". DeFeo was scheduled for a parole hearing in July, online DOC records show. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. He was a mass murderer who shot and killed his mother and father, two sisters, and two brothers inside their home. A book and two movies the 1979 original, starring James Brolin, Margot Kidder and Rod Steiger, and a 2005 remake portrayed a home with strange voices, walls that oozed slime, furniture that moved on its own, and other supernatural features. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. I dont think the truth of what happened in that house will ever be known. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. All Rights Reserved. He was 69. . Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. DeFeo was transferred to Albany Medical Center and pronounced dead at 6:35 p.m. An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death, officials said. 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. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. All rights reserved. DeFeo, 69, who was serving a 25-to-life sentence at Sullivan Correctional Facility, was found dead on Friday, March 12, 2021, at the Albany Medical Center. All six victims were later buried in St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Ronald DeFeo Jr. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Make sure that the file is a photo. He used that rifle to kill his mother, his father, his two brothers and his two sisters. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. There was an error deleting this problem. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Great Author Bob Proctor Passed Away at 88, Autopsy Result Clarifying Prophet TB Joshuas Cause of Death, The Star Dakota Skyes Cause of Sudden Death is Unknown, Suicide Led to TikToker Leah Cantillons Death at a Young Age, Secret Behind Cesar Millans Juniors Cause of Death is Private, Kings Gate CoFounder Rob Skibas Cause of Death is Unknown Yet. Amityville, N.Y.: Exterior of the . Ronald DeFeo exits Suffolk County Police Headquarters in Hauppauge, New York, Nov. 14, 1974. Ronald DeFeo Dies: Real-Life 'Amityville Horror' Killer Was 69 - Yahoo! So I understand that part of it. The cause of his death wasn't immediately known.DeFeo was serving a sentence of 25 years to life in the 1974 killings in Amityville, on suburban Long Island.The home became the basis of a horror . Published He later confessed to the murders, was tried, found guilty, and incarcerated. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. 822 Words4 Pages. Ronald DeFeo Jr., the Long Island man serving a life sentence for slaughtering his parents and four siblings in a 1974 crime that would inspire The Amityville Horror book and movie franchise,. The killer died at age 69, according to a spokesperson for the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Services. A system error has occurred. Ronald DeFeo: Startling and Horrific Family Killer Gets Life