Crime & Safety
Killer Who Inspired 'Amityville Horror' Films Dies In Prison
Ronald DeFeo Jr. died while serving a life sentence for murdering his parents and siblings in 1974.
AMITYVILLE, NY — The infamous "Amityville horror" killer died in prison last week.
Ronald DeFeo Jr. was pronounced dead Friday at 6:35 p.m. at the Albany Medical Center, a spokesperson for the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision confirmed Tuesday.
The 69-year-old was serving a life sentence at Sullivan Correctional Facility after being convicted of six counts of second-degree murder in 1975.
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The Albany County Medical Examiner’s Office will perform an autopsy to determine the cause of DeFeo's death.
In 1974, DeFeo shot his parents and four siblings in their sleep inside their Ocean Avenue home. The murders inspired several horror films and books.
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