Ronald Joseph DeFeo Jr. (September 26, 1951 - March 12, 2021) was an American mass murderer who was tried and convicted for the 1974 killings of his father, mother, two brothers, and two sisters in Amityville, Long Island, New York. 'Amityville Horror' killer Ronald DeFeo dies in prison - FOX 5 New York 'Amityville Horror' Killer Dies in New York State Custody at 69 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. At the time, the listing agent Gerald O'Neill told PEOPLE that locally, the story is known as "The Amityville Hoax. He was convicted in 1975 of six counts of second-degree murder. 'Amityville Horror' killer dies in prison at 69 - NBC News An autopsy . All six victims were later buried in St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. In a jailhouse interview in 2006, DeFeo claimed he only killed his father, his mother and his eldest sister, Dawn. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. It was reported that his cause of death would be determined and announced by the Albany County Medical Examiners Office officially. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. A book and the resulting film franchise including the 1979 original with James Brolin, Margot Kidder and Rod Steiger; several sequels; and a 2005 remake with Ryan Reynolds portrayed a home with strange voices, walls that oozed slime, furniture that moved on its own and other supernatural features. Published 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. 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 had been at the Albany Medical Center on March 12, 2021, when he was declared dead. Try again. 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. According a 1974 report in The New York Times, the DeFeos were considered, in the words of one neighbor, "a nice, normal family." I dont think anyone knows what went on in that house but those that lived there. His father worked as a Buick . First published on March 15, 2021 / 7:59 PM. 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. What was Ronald DeFeo Jr.'s cause of death? Your email address will not be published. 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. Fans Searching for Legendary Actor Tom Sizemores Death Cause, The Shadows of Knight Singer Jimmy Sohns Cause of Death. The killer, 69, was found dead on Friday at Sullivan Correctional Facility in upstate Fallsburg officials confirmed. When Ronald DeFeo Jr initially reported the deaths of his family, he ran into a local police station and claimed they had been shot. The then-23-year-old used a .35-caliber Marlin lever-action rifle to slaughter his family members, who were all in bed at the time dad Ronald DeFeo Sr., 43, mom Louise DeFeo, 43, and siblings Dawn, 18, Allison, 13, Marc, 12, and John, 9. 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. Because of DeFeo's claims, however, many have believed that the Amityville house is haunted and that it can control its inhabitants. During his trial in October 1975, Ronald Jr claimed he killed his family in self-defence after hearing "voices". 2. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. This story has been shared 160,327 times. Ronald DeFeo, killer whose murders inspired 'The Amityville - CNN 2021 Associated Press. At trial, his lawyer mounted an insanity defense, claiming DeFeo heard voices saying his family was plotting against him. The killer's last victim was the family's youngest child, John DeFeo, 9. Ronald Jr., the oldest of five children frequently argued violently with his father. Unlike giving him a fair trial to begin with! Ron Defore's Instagram, Twitter & Facebook on IDCrawl All rights reserved. 'Amityville Horror' Convicted Killer Ronald DeFeo, Dies In Prison 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. Add to your scrapbook. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Ronald DeFeo Dies: Real-Life 'Amityville Horror' Killer Was 69 - Yahoo! that is nothing more than conjecture and heresay. 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Ronald DeFeo Jr. He died while serving a 25 years-to-life sentence for the murders. (Bettmann via Getty Images). This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. you should see the photos Mike Massalineo has. Try again later. The cause of death will be determined by the Albany County Medical Examiner's Office, the spokeswoman said. Convicted 'Amityville Horror' killer Ronald DeFeo dead at 69 - KCRA The corrections department said it couldn't disclose why DeFeo was hospitalized, citing health privacy laws. Tennessee becomes first state to ban drag shows on public property, I didnt realize: Woman mistakenly eats heart-shaped chip that could have won her 100K, Staten Island man gets 18 months in prison for anti-Semitic assaults. GREAT NEWS! 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 . 'Amityville Horror' killer Ronald DeFeo Jr. dies in state custody Save my name and email in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. So what do you think about it? Alllll of them needed professional help. Dawn had NOTHING to do with what her brother did. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. All Rights Reserved. 'Amityville Horror' killer Ronald Defeo Jr. dead at 69 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. Ronald DeFeo Jr was serving a 25-to-life sentence for the brutal killing of his mom, dad, two sisters and two brothers. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. 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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'. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Tim Stelloh is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. DeFeo,. 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. Year should not be greater than current year. Over the course of time DeFeo has changed his version of the story multiple times. They cant release the cause of death do to privacy laws, what bull shit, an actor just recently died yet their cause of death was released, I smell a cover up. Ronald DeFeo died on Friday. 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. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. DeFeo was serving a sentence of 25 years to life in the 1974 killings in Amityville, on suburban Long Island. The killer died at age 69, according to a spokesperson for the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Services. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Ronald DeFeos death news was revealed on March 12. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Early in the police investigation, DeFeo lied to authorities stating he believed the murders were mob-related. Interesting take, with some factual errors. Take a moment to remember his family. DeFeos death was first reported by Newsday. He was 69. "I loved my family very much," he said at a 1999 parole hearing, where he also said he had gotten married while in prison. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. Ronald DeFeo, killer whose murders inspired 'The Amityville Horror Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. Ronald DeFeo Jr. leaves Suffolk County district court after a hearing, Nov. 15, 1974. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. We've received your submission. Ronald DeFeo Jr. killed his parents, sisters and brothers in Amityville, New York, in 1974. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. 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. Learn More Here, From the Cecil Hotel to The Stanley Hotel, These Are the Most Haunted Hotels in America. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. DeFeo had pursued an insanity defense at his trial, saying he heard voices that drove him to kill his family. At the time of their deaths, law enforcement reported that he asked how to get his fathers life insurance policy, which raises the theory that money might have motivated the killings. 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. 'Amityville Horror' killer Ronald DeFeo dies in prison at 69 On December 4, Judge Thomas Stark handed down six sentences of 25 years to life. Ray Liuzza, a 34-year-old businessman, was recently promoted to Vice President of a hotel. Ronald DeFeo, Jr., pictured here being escorted by detectives in Suffolk County. 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. Drag images here or select from your computer for Ronald DeFeo Jr. memorial. Why did Ronald Defeo Jr kill his family? | The US Sun Dr Hilary says Sarah Everard vigils are 'Covid superspreading events however strong people feel'. Thanks for your help! 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. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. 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. An autopsy by the Albany County Medical Examiners Office will rule an official cause of death. To celebrate, he enjoyed the night on Bourbon Street. appreciated. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. 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. 822 Words4 Pages. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Louise Marie Brigante DeFeo (1931-1974) - Find a He did leave behind three ex-wives and, according to one of his exes, he was also the father to at least one child. We are eagerly waiting to see what you think. Market data provided by Factset. Fox News Flash top headlines for March 15. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Ron DeFeo, has died in prison. . It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Ronald DeFeo Dies: Real-Life 'Amityville Horror' Killer Was 69 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. Ronald DeFeo: Startling and Horrific Family Killer Gets Life The cause of his death wasn't immediately known. He then claimed he knocked her unconscious on to her bed and shot her in the head. He was 69. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Find Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok profiles, images and more on IDCrawl - free people search website. He used that rifle to kill his mother, his father, his two brothers and his two sisters. More articles:Story of NME & Mojo Music Journalist Fred Dellars Cause of DeathArthur Goodwin Bogan Coachs Cause of Death not Revealed, Im sorry dat defeos are gone. DeFeo had been at the Albany Medical Center on March 12, 2021, when he was declared dead. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Failed to delete memorial. She won the jackpot. Two years later followed a cult classic film starring James Brolin, Margot Kidder, Rod Steiger and Murray Hamilton. The NYPD is looking for the suspect they said shot a driver, who was stopped at a Bronx gas station, in the head during an attempted robbery. DeFeo, who went by the nickname Butch, was eligible for a parole hearing in July. Story of NME & Mojo Music Journalist Fred Dellars Cause of Death, Arthur Goodwin Bogan Coachs Cause of Death not Revealed, Jamie Dornans Dad, Jim Dornans Cause of Death Announced, Truth of Don Rickles Widow, Barbara Rickles Cause of Death. He died Friday, March 12. Ronald Jr mom Louise DeFeo, 43, was the second victim who was shot in the back twice. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Legal Statement. I feel for the family, no matter what the sick, twisted, and demented reason was behind the deaths. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Amityville Killer Ronald DeFeo Jr. Dies In Prison - CBS New York When I saw it; Derek said the sister killed them. 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. 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". On December 5, 1984, in the heart of New Orleans, the lives of two men made a wrong turn towards death. American Criminal. Maybe Butch deserved to die the way he did or maybe he was tortured in that house. Ronald DeFeo, the convicted . The State Department of Corrections and Community Supervisions (SDCCS) spokeswoman said she could not immediately comment on the case. Prosecutors confirmed during Ronald Jr's trial that Marc was shot face down in bed. Looking for Ron Defore online? Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. His cause of death was not released. MURDERER Ronald DeFeo Jr, who killed his entire family and inspired "The Amityville Horror", has died. The killer shot his parents twice while all the children had been killed with a single shot. Ronald DeFeo, Whose Murder Spree Inspired 'The Amityville Horror,' Dies Failed to report flower. A Boeing employee has been identified as the winner of the record-breaking Powerball jackpot that was drawn on Feb. 6. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. The cause of his death was not immediately known. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/224476445/ronald-defeo. Butch didnt run into a police station saying he found his parents shot, he ran into a bar a got his friend, the bar owner, and 2 others to go to the house. This was further exasperated with the usage of LSD and heroin by DeFeo, Jr. On November 13, 1974, as his family slept, he gunned them down using a .35-caliber Marlin rifle. Father and Son Sentenced to Life in Prison For Federal Hate Crimes in Killing of Ahmaud Arbery, The True Story Behind Netflix's 'The Good Nurse', The Man These Siblings Say Shot Them Is Behind Bars But Kim Kardashian Wants Him to Go Free, Man Gets Life inPrison for Killing Girlfriend's Parents After Disputes About Covid Social Distancing. And insurance money motive. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. 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. Whats Legendary Jazz Saxophonist Wayne Shorters Death Cause? Others figured that the voices he had heard resulted from taking LSD, which Ronald DeFeo had admitted to using. 'Amityville Horror' killer Ronald DeFeo dead in prison at 69 But it hasnt stopped us from reading and talking about it since it happened! All rights reserved. Ronald DeFeo, Jr: The Man, The Truth and His Story (NOW and THEN) But I know dat Ronald defeo jr and dawn were on it. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. I found on Findagrave.com. What Was Ronald DeFeo Jr.'s Cause of Death? He Was Still in Prison . One thing we know regardless, a horrible tragedy happened there that took out an entire family. cemeteries found in will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Close this window, and upload the photo(s) again. Born to Ronald and Louise DeFeo, his father was a successful automobile salesman for his family's Brooklyn dealership. Please reset your password. 2023 FOX Television Stations, slaughtering his parents and four siblings, Frederick, MD tanker explosion leaves 1 dead; Shuts down part of US-15, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' Actor, Dies at 61 after suffering brain aneurysm, Study: NFL players who experience concussions may exhibit cognitive failure later in life. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Ronald DeFeo (224476445)? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. He was 69. People still drive by the Amityville Horror house in NY. He was convicted of six counts of second-degree murder on November 21, 1975. (Don Jacobsen/Newsday RM via Getty Images). Ronald DeFeo Jr was serving a 25-to-life sentence for the brutal killing of his mom, dad, two sisters and two brothers. I would bet someone killed him, either guards or another inmate and the gentleman above is absolutely right, sounds like this law is being manipulated to protect the guilty. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? There is a problem with your email/password. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. 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. But maybe this is because of the special situation of the mass murderer.. Please kindly scroll down and let us know in the comments box. DeFeo, Jr. was born in Brooklyn, New York City, the eldest son of Ronald, Sr. and Louise Brigante. 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. 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. A cause of death has not yet been announced, but will be determined by the Albany County coroner. 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 Staircase' : Where Is Michael Peterson Now? "It was orchestrated to help with a potential demonic defense for the son who murdered his family.". Amityville Horror killer Ronald DeFeo dies in N.Y. prison at 69 During his trial, DeFeo pursued an insanity defense and claimed that he had heard voices telling him to kill his family. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Boeing employee bought lottery ticket because it was at $747M, a nod to the aircraft. 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. (Photo by Stan Wolfson/Newsday RM via Getty Images). For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. 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. Convicted murderer of his father, mother, two sisters, and two brothers. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Theories Of Why Butch Defeo Killed His Family - 647 Words | Bartleby Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. His cause of death was not immediately available, but it will be determined and released by the Albany County Medical Examiners Office and is at that offices discretion whether the results will be made publicly available, the spokesperson said. All Rights Reserved. To use this feature, use a newer browser. 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Monique Samuels Divorce Rumors From Chris After 10 Years! Similarly to his brother Marc, John was shot from close range. Copyright 2023 Distractify. Ronald DeFeo, Murderer Who Inspired 'Amityville Horror,' Dead at 69 Learn more about managing a memorial . DeFeo was serving a sentence of 25 years to life for the 1974 killings in Amityville, on suburban Long Island. He was 69. This browser does not support getting your location. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. 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. 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. 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. Still, the house, which has been passed off to other owners over the years, remains a sinister piece of history in Amityville and continues to elicit fear in people.