Ronald DeFeo Jr.

Ronald defeo

Ronald DeFeo Jr.

Ronald Joseph DeFeo Jr. (born September 26, 1951) was an American man who was convicted of murdering his parents and four siblings in their home in Amityville, New York on November 13, 1974. The case, known as the Amityville murders, gained significant media attention and inspired the book The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson, as well as a series of films based on the events.

Background

Ronald DeFeo Jr. was born on September 26, 1951, in Amityville, New York. He grew up in a troubled household with a history of family conflict and dysfunction. His father, Ronald DeFeo Sr., was known to be a domineering and abusive figure, which contributed to the strained relationships within the family.

The Murders

On the night of November 13, 1974, Ronald DeFeo Jr. used a rifle to kill his parents, Ronald DeFeo Sr. and Louise DeFeo, as well as his four siblings: Dawn, Allison, Marc, and John Matthew. The bodies were discovered the following day, and DeFeo initially claimed that the murders were carried out by a mob hitman.

Trial and Conviction

During the trial, Ronald DeFeo Jr. eventually confessed to the murders, stating that he was under the influence of drugs and hearing voices at the time of the killings. He was found guilty on six counts of second-degree murder and was sentenced to six concurrent sentences of 25 years to life in prison.

Legacy

The case of Ronald DeFeo Jr. and the Amityville murders continues to be a subject of interest and speculation in popular culture. The events have been the basis for numerous books, films, and documentaries exploring the supernatural and psychological aspects of the story.