The killer died at age 69, according to a spokesperson for the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Services. He stated that he took the blame because he was afraid to say anything negative about his mother to her father, Michael Brigante Sr., and his father's uncle, out of fear that they would kill him. DeFeo, Jr. was born in Brooklyn, New York City, the eldest son of Ronald, Sr. and Louise Brigante. He was a PI on the case. I found on Findagrave.com. The DeFeo parents had both been shot twice, while the children had all been killed with single shots. There was an error deleting this problem. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Daniel Lutz, who was a 10-year-old boy on January 14, 1976 when the family fled from the house , still insists that the family was menaced by spirits in the home. While the services were held at the St. Martin of Tours Roman Catholic Church, a Suffolk County grand jury in Riverhead handed up an indictment charging the 23yearold surviving son of the family Ronald Jr., with six courts of murder in the second degree. According to Osuna they spoke for about six hours. The 69-year-old murderer was serving his sentence at Sullivan Correctional Facility in upstate Fallsburg. The insanity plea was supported by the psychiatrist for the defense, Daniel Schwartz. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. He also called the police to report the deaths. 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. 2023 Oscars predictions: See who will win at the 95th Academy Awards. convicted on six counts of second-degree murder, make the story more attractive for possible book and movie contracts. 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. Ron, Jr. and the DeFeo Family Brother of Private and Private. 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, Smokie Bassist Terry Uttleys Sudden Death at 70 Confirmed, Secret Behind Cesar Millans Juniors Cause of Death is Private. His court-appointed lawyer mounted an insanity defense. Ronald DeFeo died in the hospital at 6.35 PM. 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. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Allegedly, DeFeo claimed that, after a furious row with his father, he and his sister planned to kill their parents and that Dawn murdered the children in order to eliminate them as witnesses. ). Ronald DeFeo Jr., who served his sentence at Sullivan Correctional Facility in upstate Fallsburg, died Friday at the age of 69, New York State officials confirmed. The cause of his death wasn't immediately known. Husband of Louisa Marie Brigante. He reiterated this on an A&E Amityville documentary that is extensively discussed in Will Savive's Mentally Ill In Amityville. In his own handwriting, Butch wrote, "it was cold-blooded murder. Mr. DeFeo, who was serving 25 years to life in prison, had been held at the Sullivan Correctional Facility in Fallsburg, N.Y., since 1975. Dies In Prison CBS New York 746K subscribers Subscribe 26K views 1 year ago Ronald DeFeo Jr., the Long Island man convicted of murdering his family in. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Ronald DeFeo at a court hearing in 1992 - he died on Friday at the age of 69 while serving life for the murders of his parents and four siblings in Amityville, New York Credit: Getty. The murders were the subject of a 2012 documentary,Shattered Hopes: The True Story of the Amityville Murders, in which filmmaker Ryan Katzenbach argued that the DeFeos were killed by more than one person. The Albany County Medical Examiner's Office has not yet released his cause of death. A 23-year-old man, Ronald DeFeo, Jr. (more commonly known as Butch), wakes up and, rifle in hand, executes his entire family: his parents, two sisters and two brothers. 9:38 PM EDT, Mon March 15, 2021. His victims were found face down in their beds, shot to death with a .35-caliber Marlin hunting rifle in the early hours of Nov. 13, 1974. DeFeo, 69, died March 12, 2021, while receiving treatment for an illness at Albany Medical Center, according to theNiagara Gazette. Please kindly scroll down and let us know in the comments box. What happened to Ronald DeFeo? Transcript of 911 emergency call to Suffolk County Police reporting the shootings. The cause of his death wasn't immediately known. Ronald Joseph DeFeo Jr, also known as Ronald DeFeo Jr, is an infamous American criminal who was sentenced to prison for the mass killing of his whole family. Evidence was submitted to the court by the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office suggesting that Richard Romondoe did not exist and that Geraldine Gates was living in upstate New York married to someone else at the time of the murders. Verify and try again. 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. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. DeFeo, 69, died March 12, 2021, while receiving. (Don Jacobsen/Newsday RM via Getty Images). To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Why Felicity Hoffman Sentenced to Only 14 Days in Prison? Learn more about managing a memorial . 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. Dead were parents Louise and Ronald DeFeo Sr., and his siblings 18-year-old Dawn, 13-year-old Allison, 12-year-old Marc, and nine-year-old John Matthew. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. In a 1986 interview for Newsday, DeFeo claimed his sister Dawn killed their father and then their distraught mother killed all of his siblings, apparently with a rifle before he killed his mother. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Learn how your comment data is processed. 2023 Cable News Network. Ronald DeFeo, Jr., pictured here being escorted by detectives in Suffolk County. 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 died face down in. It was the stuff of unthinkable nightmares. This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. Police found traces of unburned gunpowder on Dawn's nightgown, which DeFeo proponents allege proves she discharged a firearm. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ronald_DeFeo_Jr.&oldid=1136376474, The film versions of the DeFeo murders contain several inaccuracies. On December 4, 1975, Judge Thomas Stark sentenced DeFeo to six sentences of 25 years to life.[12]. The original address of the home when the murders took place was 112 Ocean Ave. but it was eventually changed to 108 Ocean Ave. in order to discourage tourists. The victims were found in their beds with gunshot wounds on Nov. 13, 1974. Over the years, the famed Amityville house, located at 108 Ocean Avenue, has gone through tons of owners. Maybe you are right and they dont release Ronald DeFeos cause of death over a cover-up. Anyone can read what you share. Ric Osuna's book was adapted into a docudrama titled Shattered Hopes: The True Story of the Amityville Murders. Ronald DeFeo, who was convicted of killing his parents and four siblings at the family's home in Amityville, N.Y., in 1974 a spree that spawned a series of books and movies, including the. The reason for DeFeo's death hasn't been revealed, and is pending an autopsy at the time of writing this story. 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. Why Did Butch Kill His Family? Convicted "Amityville Horror" killer Ronald DeFeo Jr., who in 1974 shot and killed his parents and four younger siblings inside their Long Island home in a grisly case that inspired a book and a. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. The case inspired the book and film versions of The Amityville Horror. In a jailhouse interview in 2006, DeFeo claimed he only killed his father, his mother and his eldest sister, Dawn. The house had a swimming pool in the back and a statue of St. Joseph holding a baby Jesus on the front lawn. Because of DeFeo's claims, however, many have believed that the Amityville house is haunted and that it can control its inhabitants. "[11], On November 21, 1975, DeFeo was found guilty on six counts of second-degree murder. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Did you encounter any technical issues? you should see the photos Mike Massalineo has. Ronald Jr., the oldest of five children frequently argued violently with his father. All of the victims were found face-down in bed. The then-23-year-old killed his family members, who were all in bed at the time. Learn More Here, From the Cecil Hotel to The Stanley Hotel, These Are the Most Haunted Hotels in America. What Ronald DeFeo Jr did, has never been a secret. Condemned to six sentences of 25 years to life, DeFeo died in prison on March 12, 2021. Some people outside of the case presumed this to mean that he had heard voices in his head due to the family home being haunted. 2021. This was further exasperated with the usage of LSD and heroin by DeFeo . . DeFeo whose murderous spree served as the inspiration behind the The Amityville Horror book and movie franchise died Friday while serving a 25-years-to-life sentence at Sullivan Correctional Facility in Fallsburg, New York, according to the state Department of Corrections. DeFeos death was first reported by Newsday. Born to Ronald and Louise DeFeo, his father was a successful automobile salesman for his family's Brooklyn dealership. According a 1974 report in The New York Times, the DeFeos were considered, in the words of one neighbor, a nice, normal family.. Dawn had NOTHING to do with what her brother did. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. DeFeo was scheduled for a parole hearing in July, online DOC records show. However, an interview at the station soon exposed serious inconsistencies in his version of events. We've received your submission. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). Interesting take, with some factual errors. A family of 7 paid with their lives, it just took one of them 47yrs to die while the rest went quickly. The New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision confirmed the death on Monday and said that the cause would be determined by the Albany County coroner. She was 43 years old. An affidavit from Richard Romondoe was submitted to the court and it was asserted he could not be located to testify in person. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. [7], Ronald DeFeo Jr., also known as "Butch", was the eldest child of the family and its lone surviving member. 2. Source: Getty The convicted murderer Ronald J. DeFeo Jr. after a hearing in Suffolk County District Court on Long Island in November 1974. 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. "I have this Forrest Gump-ian way of touching something and it becomes a hit!" 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,. Trial begins in Amityville murders. Offers may be subject to change without notice. [13], DeFeo had a volatile relationship with his father, but the motive for the killings remains unclear. Small detail, but important if you entertain he didnt do this alone. The house became the subject of books and movies. Everyone is wondering how did a murderer, Ronald DeFeo Jr, die? By Pranay Gupte Special to The New York Times. Weve updated the security on the site. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. IE 11 is not supported. Murder Victim. His initial trial defense was that he had heard his familys voices against him. however, the Albany County Medical Examiner s Office will execute a postmortem . (Bettmann via Getty Images). 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. A female friend of Mr. DeFeos said he was part of a crowd that would drink and then get into fights, but the next day theyd apologize.. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. However, DeFeo's immediate loved ones aren't known and his cause of death is still a mystery to many. Father of Dawn DeFeo; Allison DeFeo; Marc Gregory DeFeo; John Matthew DeFeo and Ronald "Butch" Joseph DeFeo, Jr. Physical evidence suggests that Louise DeFeo and her daughter Allison were awake at the time of their deaths. The title is misleading since the cause of death was not disclosed. He was 69. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? The murders became famous for being central to the book and movie "The Amityville Horror". DeFeo was serving 25 years to life in prison at the. In this interview, DeFeo also asserted he was married at the time of the murders to a woman named Geraldine Gates, with whom he was living in New Jersey, and that his mother phoned to ask him to return to Amityville to break up a fight between Dawn and their father. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. Ronald Defeo Death: As reported by Newsday, Nissa Burkhalter's Ronald DeFeo passed away last year. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. I know he was on drugs but no one can prove it now. [4], The victims were Ronald Jr.'s parents: Ronald DeFeo Sr. (43) and Louise DeFeo (ne Brigante, 43); and his four siblings: Dawn (18), Allison (13), Marc (12), and John (9). I think my mother and father are shot!" They were a nice family another mourner said. [3][14][15], After his conviction, DeFeo gave several varying accounts of how the killings were carried out. As far as hauntings go, however, there are ongoing conflicting reports. 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 Services (DOCCS). All through the hourlong mass, which was celebrated by the Rev. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. Again, he asserted he was married to Geraldine and that her brother was with him at the time of the murders. DeFeo, who was 23 at the time of the murders, would have been eligible for a parole hearing in July. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. 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. His father worked as a Buick . Best Known For: In 1974, Ronald DeFeo killed his entire family, including his parents, brothers and sisters, while they were sleeping in their beds. 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. Ronald DeFeo Jr.'s trial began in October 1975, 11 months after the . Year should not be greater than current year. This is a carousel with slides. Another possible reason he might have killed his family members was for a possibly sizable life insurance policy. . Others figured that the voices he had heard resulted from taking LSD, which Ronald DeFeo had admitted to using. In 2016, the infamous five-bedroom, 3-bathroom Colonial home where the bloodbath took place hit the market for $850,000 and went into contract months later. The true story is explored through real Amityville Horror photos and interviews with George Lutz, neighbors, local journalists and psychics. Search above to list available cemeteries. He was tried and convicted for the 1974 killings of his father, mother, two brothers, and two sisters. Born to Ronald and Louise DeFeo, his father was a successful automobile salesman for his family's Brooklyn dealership. Ronald DeFeo Jr., who served his sentence at Sullivan Correctional Facility in upstate Fallsburg, died Friday at the age of 69, New York State officials confirmed. The murders were immortalized in Jay Anson's 1977 book about the allegedly true paranormal experiences of the subsequent owners of the home. Was that he had heard his familys voices against him Find a Grave account to continue this is digitized. 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