A series of alleged paranormal events experienced by the Lutz family during their 28-day stay in a house in Amityville, New York, where a mass murder had occurred the previous year.
On November 13, 1974, at 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York, Ronald DeFeo Jr. shot and killed his parents and four siblings. DeFeo claimed he was commanded by "voices in the house," but was found guilty of six counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.
In December 1975, George and Kathy Lutz moved into the house with their three children. Just 28 days later, the family fled, abandoning the home. The Lutzes claimed to have experienced paranormal phenomena including green slime oozing from walls, a pig-like demon with red eyes, extreme cold, and windows and doors opening and closing on their own.
Jay Anson's 1977 book The Amityville Horror, based on the Lutzes' accounts, became a bestseller and spawned multiple films.
The Lutzes described their experiences in numerous media interviews. However, their accounts tended to change and become exaggerated over time, lacking consistency.
Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren examined the house and claimed to sense a "powerful demonic presence." Other investigation teams, however, were unable to detect any anomalous phenomena.
William Weber, DeFeo's defense attorney, later admitted that he and the Lutzes had "created this horror story over many bottles of wine." This confession is considered the strongest evidence of fabrication.
