The DeFeo Family Murder

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Oct 14, 2024

Dive into the chilling saga of the DeFeo family murders, where Ronald DeFeo Jr. confessed to killing his family in a shocking act of violence. The discussion reveals his chaotic courtroom drama and attempts at an insanity defense, alongside the eerie silence of the crime scene. Explore the unsettling tactics of police interrogation and the subsequent trial that left a community reeling. Unravel the complex motivations behind familial violence while considering the supernatural legacy that followed the tragedy.

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INSIGHT

How The Crime Scene Was First Discovered

The DeFeo murders were discovered when 23-year-old Ronald DeFeo Jr. burst into Henry's Bar saying "someone shot my parents," prompting friends to follow him to 112 Ocean Avenue.
Investigators found six family members shot in their beds with no sign of forced entry, motive, or disturbance, creating an immediate mystery about how it happened so quietly.

INSIGHT

Neighbor Reports Contradicted Expected Gunshot Noise

Neighbors reported unusual lights at 10pm and prolonged dog barking around 3am, yet no one reliably reported hearing gunshots.
Those contradictory neighborhood observations contributed to enduring questions about timing, noise, and why family members didn't awaken.

ANECDOTE

Ron Initially Blamed A Mob Hitman Then Wavered

In early interviews Ron alternated between blaming a mob hitman named Tony Mazio and offering varying accounts, appearing cooperative but inconsistent to detectives.
Detectives noted his heroin use, rambling, and that he volunteered excessive details, which later raised suspicion.

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On the evening of November 13, 1974, twenty-three-year-old Ronald DeFeo Jr. burst through the door of Henry’s Bar in Amityville, Long Island, frantically yelling for help and telling the patrons that someone had killed his parents. When a small group returned to the house with DeFeo, they discovered that not only had his parents, Louise and Ronald Sr., been killed, but so had his four brothers and sisters—all shot to death in their beds with a .35 caliber rifle.

During a police interview that night, investigators became suspicious of Ronald DeFeo. Not only was his story of a mob hit difficult to believe, but he seemed incapable of keeping certain aspects of his story straight during the interview. The next day, DeFeo broke down and confessed to the murders, explaining that he had hated his father and telling investigators, “Once I started [shooting], I just couldn’t stop.”

Ronald DeFeo’s trial was one of New York’s biggest news stories of 1975 and attracted considerable attention due to his attempt to mount an insanity defense and his frequent outbursts in the courtroom. In the end, the defense was unsuccessful and DeFeo was convicted of the murders and sentenced to life in prison. DeFeo’s conviction should have been the end of the story, but it turned out it was only the beginning of what would eventually become one of the most notorious supernatural claims in American history.

Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!!

References

Carter, A.J., Soper Susan , Dallas Gatewood, and Sam Washington. 1974. "DeFeo son is accused." Newsday, November 15: 3.

Incantalupo, Tom, and Sam Washington. 1974. "A quiet drink turns into an invitation to disaster." Newsday, November 14: 3.

—. 1974. "Six in Amityville family slain, each in bed, 1 bullet in back." Newsday, November 14: 1.

New York Times. 1974. "Six in family found slain in bedrooms in L.I. home." New York Times, November 14: 97.

Smith, Don. 1975. "Attack mounted on DeFeio's insanity plea." Newsday, October 25: 16.

—. 1975. "Cellmate says DeFeo had insanity plan." Newsday, November 11: 6.

—. 1975. "Cop quotes DeFeoL 'I... couldn't stop'." Newsday, September 24: 4.

—. 1975. "Cop: DeFeo altered story." Newsday, October 22: 9.

—. 1975. "DeFeo charges police beat him into confessing." Newsday, September 27: 13.

—. 1975. "DeFeo defended as psychotic killer." Newsday, November 19: 17.

—. 1975. "DeFeo guilty of family murder." Newsday, November 22: 3.

—. 1975. "Doctor: DeFeo knew it was wrong." Newsday, November 13: 19.

—. 1975. "Family clash is cited in DeFeo trial." Newsday, October 15: 22.

—. 1975. "I killed a dozen others, DeFeo says." Newsday, November 7: 21.

—. 1975. "'I left the room in awe of the horror'." Newsday, October 23: 17.

Smith, Don, and Sam Washington. 1975. "DeFeo a heroin user, cop testifies." Newsday, October 18: 16.

Stark, Thomas M. 2021. Horrific Homicides: A Judge Looks Back at the Amityville Horror Murders and Other Infamous Long Island Crimes. New York, NY : Archway Publishing.

Sullivan, Gerard, and Harvey Aronson. 1981. High Hopes: The Amityville Murders. New York, NY: Coward, McCann & Geoghegan.

Vecsey, George. 1974. "L.I. slayings suspect had used drugs." New York Times, November 16: 18.

—. 1974. "Neighbors recall DeFeos as 'nice, normal family'." New York Times, November 15: 80.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

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