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Many people are involved in one way or another with "The Amityville Horror." So many, in fact, that it's sometimes difficult to keep track, even for those of us who have been interested in this case for many years. This comprehensive alphabetical listing of names is meant as a reference guide when reading this FAQ or when browsing the posts in the Amityville Truth forum. Names are color-coded to reflect their involvement with the haunting, the murders, or both.

 

Adelman, Dr. Howard Deputy Chief Medical Examiner for Suffolk County; performed autopsies on the DeFeos with Dr Irving Rappaport; died in 2009.
Alteri, John Customer in Henry's Bar when Ronnie DeFeo ran in and shouted that he had just found his parents shot dead; one of five customers who followed Ronnie back to his house to investigate.
Anson, Jay Author of the book The Amityville Horror; died in 1980 at the age of 58 (pdf).
Aronson, Harvey Co-author of High Hopes with prosecuting DA Gerard Sullivan.
Astromovich, Mary Juror (foreperson) on the Ronnie DeFeo murder trial.
Bartz, Paul Assistant to the Warrens during the March 6, 1976, paranormal investigation of the Amityville house.
Belin, Arthur Participant in an allegedly-staged carjacking with Ronnie DeFeo a few weeks prior to the murders which involved the theft of funds from Brigante-Karl Buick.
Borkan, Burt Friend of the DeFeo family, Allison's Godfather; testified at Ronnie DeFeo's murder trial.
Brigante, Angela Ronnie DeFeo's maternal grandmother.
Brigante, Michael Sr Ronnie DeFeo's maternal grandfather; owner of Brigante-Karl Buick (where Ronnie DeFeo worked); Ronald Sr's boss and father-in-law; described in High Hopes as "an excitable man" (link to 1949 NYT mention).
Brigante, Michael Jr Ronnie DeFeo's uncle; described in High Hopes as "a lot calmer than his father."
Burch, Frank Lived with his family in the Amityville house in the late 1970s, during the Cromarty's ownership period.
Burkin, Lucy Worked at the Brigante-Karl Buick dealership with Ronnie DeFeo; testified at Ronnie's murder trial.
Burns, Marie Juror on the Ronnie DeFeo murder trial; excused halfway through.
Cammaroto, Pat Amityville Police Sergeant; present at the DeFeo crime scene.
Cammaroto, Patty Childhood friend of Allison DeFeo; daughter of the village police sergeant (video).
Campbell, Gene Photographer friend of the Warrens; invited along to the March 6, 1976, paranormal investigation of the Amityville house.
Capasso, Patsy Juror on the Ronnie DeFeo murder trial.
Capobianco, Robert Juror on the Ronnie DeFeo murder trial.
Carrington, Betty Secretary for William Weber; author of Judicial Carousel. (excerpt).
Carswell, John Friend of Ronnie DeFeo; testified at his murder trial; signed questionable affidavit for Ronnie DeFeo in 1989 which he later retracted.
Carter, Al Friend of George Lutz; contacted Tam Mossman in March of 1976 regarding the Lutzes possibly writing a book about the haunting for Prentice-Hall.
Cordaro, Joseph Juror on the Ronnie DeFeo murder trial.
Coscia, Vito Was in jail with Ronnie DeFeo; testified at the murder trial (discussion).
Cosentino, Deborah Barmaid driving past the DeFeo house on the night of the murders; noticed key details; testified during the murder trial.
Cromarty, Jim & Barbara Owned the house from 1977 to 1987; first owners since the Lutz family; tried hard to convince the public that the haunting was a hoax in order to ward off tourism (video).
Davidge, Frank Friend of Ronnie DeFeo's; testified at his murder trial.
Davidge, William Supposedly the boyfriend of Dawn DeFeo; claims Dawn hated her parents, used drugs and wanted to run away to Florida to be with him.
Dee, Christopher Berry Self-proclaimed criminologist, author, TV producer and naughty boy based in the UK; supporter of Ric Osuna and his 7th body theory.
DeFeo, Allison Youngest daughter of the DeFeo family; shot and killed by her brother, Ronnie DeFeo, on Nov 13, 1974.
DeFeo, Antoinette Ronnie DeFeo's paternal grandmother.
DeFeo, Barbara see "Puco, Barbara"
DeFeo, Dawn Oldest daughter of the DeFeo family; shot and killed by her brother, Ronnie DeFeo, on Nov 13, 1974; Ronnie claims she was an active participant in the murders.
DeFeo, Geraldine See "Gates, Geraldine"
DeFeo, John Middle son of the DeFeo family; shot and killed by his brother, Ronnie DeFeo, on Nov 13, 1974.
DeFeo, Louise Mother of the DeFeo family; apparently the second one killed on the night of the murders.
DeFeo, Marc Youngest son of the DeFeo family; shot and killed by his brother, Ronnie DeFeo, on Nov 13, 1974.
DeFeo, Pete Ronnie DeFeo's granduncle; alleged ties to organized crime.
DeFeo, Rocco Ronnie DeFeo's paternal grandfather.
DeFeo, Ronald Jr aka 'Ronnie DeFeo' aka 'Butch'; eldest son of the DeFeo family; convicted of murdering his family on Nov 13, 1974; serving out six concurrent "25 years to life" sentences.
DeFeo, Ronald Sr Father of the DeFeo family; apparently the first one killed on the night of the murders by 2 gunshot blasts to the back as he lay in bed.
DeFeo, Tracey Ronnie DeFeo's third wife (married on April 28, 2004); briefly hosted a website instrumental in exposing Geraldine 'DeFeo' Gates as a fraud.
DeGennaro, Mr Yet another person Ronnie DeFeo tried to pin the murders on.
Della Penna, Alfred Head of the firearms section of the Suffolk County Police Laboratory; recovered incriminating bullet from under Steve Hicks' house with Det Shirvell.
DeVito, James Worked at the Suffolk County jail; testified at the murder trial about his private conversations with DeFeo in jail.
DiDio, Laura Reporter for Channel 5 News in New York; befriended the Lutzes and helped them find credible researchers to help them attempt to cleanse the Amityville house.
DiOrio, Vito Co-worker of Ronnie DeFeo's at Brigante-Karl Buick.
Donahue, John Childhood friend of John DeFeo; testified at the murder trial that he witnessed a fight between Ronnie DeFeo and Ronnie's father.
Downey, Mary Psychic and 'Timewalker' who investigated the Amityville house with the Warrens in 1976.
Dunn, Robert Detective with Suffolk County organized crime bureau; interrogated Ronnie with Dennis Rafferty the day after the murders.
Evans, Edith Real Estate Agent who showed the Amityville house to the Lutzes; died in 2000 at the age of 79.
Fagan, Grace Friend of Dawn DeFeo; testified at the murder trial.
Falini, Louis See "Mazzeo, Tony"; alias used in High Hopes.
Father Ray See "Pecararo, Ralph"
Fitzgerald, Eileen Daughter of John & Catherine Moynahan; owned & sold the house in 1960 after her mother died.
Franza, Amy Juror on the Ronnie DeFeo murder trial.
Gates, Geraldine Claimed to be Ronnie DeFeo's first wife; claimed they wed in the early 1970s (before the murders); featured heavily as the leading witness to most events in Ric Osuna's book The Night the DeFeos Died.
Geiger, Bobby Friend of Ronnie DeFeo; wife allegedly sold heroin to Ronnie after the murders.
Gentile, Lou Paranormal talk radio host; befriended George Lutz and was later accused of defrauding him; died in 2009.
Giambra, Peggy Juror on the Ronnie DeFeo murder trial.
Gozaloff, Gerard Suffolk County detective who took over Ronnie DeFeo's initial interview at the crime scene from Det Randazzo; took Ronnie's initial 8-page statement.
Greguski, Kenneth Amityville PD officer; first cop on the scene; noted that Ronald DeFeo Sr's body was uncovered when he first saw it.
Grennan, Dorothy Juror on the Ronnie DeFeo murder trial.
Gugas, Chris Administered the polygraph test to George Lutz on June 19, 1979; died in 2007 at the age of 86.
Harrison, George Suffolk County homicide detective; interviewed Ronnie DeFeo at the Fourth Precinct (with Napolitano) shortly after Ronnie gave his written statement; interviewed Bobby Kelske.
Harry The Lutzes' dog at the time of the haunting; died sometime during the 1980s.
Heffernan, Dr Parapsychologist who assured the Lutzes he could cleanse the house; George wasn't convinced it did any good.
Hicks, Steve Friend of Ronnie DeFeo; Ronnie's .35 Marlin rifle was fired inside Steve's house, making a hole in the floor and coming to rest under the house; the recovered bullet would help link Ronnie to the murder weapon; testified at the murder trial.
Hoffman, Paul Writer hired by William Weber for his true-crime book on the DeFeo case; wrote the 1977 article on the Lutzes in Good Housekeeping which led to the lawsuit between Weber and the Lutzes.
Holzer, Hans Famed paranormal author of fiction & non-fiction books; teamed up with William Weber in 1977 to write Murder in Amityville, where he claimed Ronnie DeFeo was possessed or influenced by an ancient Indian curse which caused him to murder his family; also wrote the books The Amityville Curse and The Secret of Amityville; died in 2009 at the age of 89.
Ireland, Diana & Rufus Neighbors of the DeFeos (on the south side – their driveways were side by side); house used as a police command post on November 13, 1974.
Jones, John G. Author of many 'Amityville Horror' sequel books including The Amityville Horror II, Amityville: The Final Chapter, Amityville: The Evil Escapes and Amityville: The Horror Returns.
Jordan, Peter Co-writer of 1978 FATE article calling the haunting a hoax (with Rick Moran).
Kaplan, Steven One of the first paranormal investigators contacted by the Lutzes; investigation was cancelled after he spoke to the press; wrote the book The Amityville Horror Conspiracy in 1994 which listed his reasons for thinking the haunting was a hoax; died in 1995 at the age of 54.
Katzenbach, Ryan Owner of Katco, a small outfit which once published Ric Osuna's book The Night the DeFeos Died and is now trying to make it into a movie, Shattered Hopes.
Keeler, Bob Reporter for Long Island Newsday; interviewed Ronnie in 1986.
Kekoris, George Investigator for the Psychical Research Foundation in Durham; present during the March 6, 1976, paranormal investigation of the Amityville house.
Kelske, Bobby

Friend of Ronnie DeFeo; customer in Henry's Bar when Ronnie DeFeo ran in and shouted that he had just found his parents shot dead; one of five people who followed Ronnie back to his house to investigate; first to see the dead bodies of Ronnie's parents; testified at the murder trial; died in 2001 at the age of 50.
Ketcham, John Mythical figure, supposedly a man drummed out of Salem during the witch trial period who moved to Amityville and continued his devil worshipping ways.
Klein, Sherry See "Weiss, Mindy"; alias used in High Hopes.
Konrad, Rosemary Juror on the Ronnie DeFeo murder trial; not convinced at first that Ronnie was sane at the time of the murders.
Kramer, John Was in jail with Ronnie; testified at the murder trial.
Lambert, Dennis Co-worker of Ronnie DeFeo at Brigante-Karl Buick.
Largent, Karl Author of the book Amityville: The Nightmare Continues.
Linder, Michael Radio reporter who covered the March 6, 1976, paranormal investigation of the Amityville house for WNEW radio.
Lobro, Carol Friend of the Lutzes; accompanied them on their second visit to the Amityville house and took photos; reportedly felt strange feelings there, especially in the kitchen area.
Loscaizo, Bobby Friend of George Lutz; helped the family move into their Amityville home in 1975.
Loscaizo, Jimmy Friend of George Lutz; asked George to have a priest bless the old DeFeo murder house before they moved-in; reportedly had other strange occurrences.
Lowe, Ed Sr. Amityville Police Lieutenant; present at the DeFeo crime scene; quoted as saying the Lutzes never called the police during their stay; deceased.
Lowe, Ed Jr.

Son of the Amityville police Lieutenant; wrote for Long Island Newsday.
Lutz, Christopher Youngest son of the Lutz family; Kathy's child from a previous marriage.
Lutz, Daniel Oldest son of the Lutz family; Kathy's child from a previous marriage.
Lutz, George Father of the Lutz family, whose reported paranormal experiences in Amityville spawned a series of best-selling books and movies; step-father to the 3 children who also lived in the Amityville house at the time of the haunting; died in 2006 at the age of 59.
Lutz, Kathy Mother of the Lutz family; mother of the 3 children from a previous marriage; died in 2004 at the age of 57.
Lutz, Melissa Youngest of the 3 Lutz children who lived through the haunting in Amityville; Kathy's daughter from a previous marriage.
Martin, Joel Reporter, author and radio talk show host; has done many shows involving the Amityville murders & haunting; belief in the haunting flip-flops.
Martin, Malachi Controversial priest who, according to Art Bell, claimed the Amityville house was "one of the most haunted places in America," and that the Catholic Church "knew all about it," despite their official stance.
Mazzeo, Tony 70-year old alleged ex-gangster and friend of the DeFeo family; very first person Ronnie tried to implicate in the murders.
McNamara, Reverend James Priest who gave the DeFeos their last rites at the crime scene.
Meyers, Ethyl Johnson Psychic medium brought to the DeFeo house in 1977 by Hans Holzer; claimed the spirit of an angry Indian Chief was behind the Lutzes' haunting and also possessed Ronnie DeFeo, causing him to murder his family.
Montana, Benny Friend of George Lutz; went into the Amityville house on Easter Sunday, 1976, to remove a few personal items for the family; murdered by his girlfriend a week later.
Moran, Rick Co-writer of 1978 FATE article calling the haunting a hoax (with Peter Jordan); author of many odd theories relating to Amityville; died in 2010 at the age of 62.
Morris, John Paul Author of Campaign of Terror, an unreleased non-fiction book project chronicling how the haunting affected people outside of the Lutz family.
Morris, Steven Author and one-time associate of Christopher Berry Dee; distanced himself from Chris after fraud evidence was discovered; planned to write an official book on Ronnie DeFeo in 2009 (status unknown).
Mossman, Tam Editor at Prentice-Hall who introduced the Lutzes to Jay Anson.
Moynahan, John & Catherine Original owners of the Amityville house; commissioned it to be built in the early 1920s; John died in 1939; Catherine died in 1960.
Napolitano, Joseph Suffolk County homicide detective; interviewed Ronnie at the Fourth Precinct (with George Harrison) shortly after Ronnie gave his written statement.
Negrai, Father Ralph Priest who served with Padre Pio in Italy; reportedly felt the Warrens' 'moosehead photo' was a sign from Padre Pio.
Nemeth, John Teenager living 2 houses from the DeFeos; testified in court that he was awakened by Shaggy's howling at 3:02 am on the night of the murders and noticed 2 of the DeFeo's cars still parked in the driveway the next morning.
Nickell, Joe Author and writer of 2003 Skeptical Inquirer article calling the haunting a hoax; also wrote Snopes entry on Amityville.
Nonnewitz, Linnea DeFeo's Housekeeper; testified at the murder trial; later returned to the house to become the Cromarty's housekeeper.
Nonnewitz, Roger Husband of Linnea Nonnewitz; testified at the murder trial.
Nonnewitz, Beverly Classmate/friend of Dawn DeFeo; daughter of the DeFeo's housekeeper.
O'Neill, Peter & Jeanne Owned the Amityville house from 1987 to 1997, selling it to Brian Wilson; son Peter died on 9/11.
Osis, Dr Karlis Psychic investigator and member of the American Society for Psychical Research in Manhattan; present during the March 6, 1976, paranormal investigation of the Amityville house; deceased.
Osuna, Ric Self-proclaimed investigative journalist; infamous for his abrupt change of opinion about the hauting; author of The Night the DeFeos Died.
Pascarella, Mary See "Downey, Mary"
Patterson, Mr. Ronnie DeFeo's parole officer.
Pecararo, Ralph aka Father Ray; the priest who blessed the house for the Lutzes and who claimed to have heard the infamous 'Get Out' voice; also claimed he was slapped across the face by an unseen entity during that blessing; close friend of the Lutzes; advised them to leave the house; presumed dead (possibly in 1987 at the age of 52).
Petropolis, Steve Cameraman for Ch 5 News crew during the March 6, 1976, paranormal investigation of the Amityville house.
Pio of Pietrelcina, Padre Capuchin priest from Italy; venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church; supposedly appeared to Lorraine Warren in a photograph taken inside the Amityville house as Lorraine held a relic of his; Father Ray mentioned the Lutzes' troubles in his prayers to Padre Pio; died in 1968
Piro, William His wife's mother was Angela Brigante's sister; executor of Angela Brigante's will
Procita, Phyllis Ronnie DeFeo's aunt; Ronnie told her numerous conflicting versions of how the murders went down in the months after his arrest and prior to the trial; testified at the murder trial.
Procita, Vincent Ronnie DeFeo's uncle; identified the bodies at the crime scene.
Puco, Barbara Ronnie DeFeo's second wife (after Geraldine Gates, whose marriage really doesn't count as Geraldine was already married at the time).
Purdy, Jesse Builder of the Amityville house (built in the early 1920s for the Moynahan family, eventually being sold to the DeFeos and later to the Lutz family).
Purdy, Seth Curator of the Amityville Historical Society. Told Hans Holzer that he heard stories of a skeleton once found buried about 1/4-mile from the DeFeo house – found buried in a standing position, which might denote that it was a chief. Holzer attempted to use this as evidence of an ancient Indian curse on the DeFeo property.
Race, Herman Private investigator hired by Bill Weber to look into the murders; proposed the theory that Dawn was involved in the crime due to unburnt gunpowder particles on her nightgown and questionable interpretations of the firearm forensics.
Rafferty, Dennis Suffolk County detective who questioned Ronnie DeFeo with Lt Robert Dunn on the morning of Nov 14th (when Ronnie became the prime suspect).
Randazzo, Gaspar First Suffolk County detective to speak to Ronnie DeFeo at the crime scene.
Rappaport, Dr. Irving Medical Examiner for Suffolk County; performed autopsies on the DeFeos with Dr. Howard Adelman.
Reimer, Howard See "Geiger, Bobby"; alias used in High Hopes.
Reimer, Junie alias used in High Hopes for Bobby Geiger's wife.
Rice, Michael Administered the polygraph test to Kathy Lutz on June 19, 1979.
Richmond, Thomas Suffolk County operational officer in charge of homicide; brought Dennis Rafferty up to date on the DeFeo case Thursday morning (Nov 14th).
Riley, Alberta Psychic and transmedium present during the March 6, 1976, paranormal investigation of the Amityville house.
Riley, Dr Brian Husband of psychic Alberta Riley; also present during the March 6, 1976, paranormal investigation of the Amityville house.
Riley, Joseph & Mary Owned the Amityville house from 1960 to 1965, selling it to the DeFeo family.
Romondoe, Richard Alleged brother of Geraldine Gates; potential witness of the DeFeo murders; New York DA office tried locating him and found reasonable evidence that he doesn't exist.
Roskind, David Son of Barbara Cromarty from a previous marriage; researchers for History's Mysteries claim David suffered a drug overdose at the house and died in 1986, while the Cromartys claim David died in 1987 after they sold the house; dead at age 28.
Rowe, Jan Juror on the Ronnie DeFeo murder trial.
Saxton, Al Customer in Henry's Bar when Ronnie DeFeo ran in and shouted that he had just found his parents shot dead; one of five customers who followed Ronnie back to his house to investigate.
Schwartz, Dr Daniel Psychiatrist called-in during the trial by William Weber to examine Ronnie DeFeo's state of mind.
Scordamaglia, Billy Customer in Henry's Bar when Ronnie DeFeo ran in and shouted that he had just found his parents shot dead; one of five customers who followed Ronnie back to his house to investigate.
Scott, Marvin News anchor for Ch 5 News in New York; participated in the March 6, 1976, paranormal investigation of the Amityville house.
Shaggy The DeFeo's dog; figured prominently in the murder trial.
Shirvell, Jack Suffolk County homicide detective; found the boxes for the Marlin 35 and Marlin 22 rifles in Ronnie's bedroom; recovered the incriminating bullet from under Steve Hicks' house with Della Pena
Siegfried, Jacob Ronnie DeFeo's second attorney; resigned from the case (before the trial started) after he was assaulted by Ronnie.
Signorelli, Ernest Judge administering the DeFeo estate; asked William Weber to act as legal counsel for Ronnie DeFeo.
Skelton, Jesse Juror on the Ronnie DeFeo murder trial.
Smith, Rev Neal The exorcist for the Archbishop of Canterbury; performed a blessing of the Lutzes during the 1980s which some believe was more like an exorcism.
Solfvin, Jerry Investigator for the Psychical Research Foundation in Durham; present during the March 6, 1976, paranormal investigation of the Amityville house.
Sommers, Howard SCPD officer who photographed the DeFeo crime scene.
Spota, Tom Suffolk County ADA; assisted with the prosecution of Ronnie DeFeo.
Springer, Barry Friend of Ronnie DeFeo; questioned by police; remained friends with Ronnie for many years; died in 2007 at the age of 56.
Stark, Thomas Judge in DeFeo murder case; also presided over the later appeal.
Sullivan, Gerard Prosecuting attorney in the DeFeo case; wrote the book High Hopes which to this day is the most informative book on the DeFeo family massacre; died in 1993 at the age of 51.
Symmons, Leonard Initial attorney to represent Ronnie DeFeo in court (immediately after the murders).
Tanous, Dr Alex Psychic investigator and member of the American Society for Psychical Research in Manhattan; present during the March 6, 1976, paranormal investigation of the Amityville house; deceased.
Tewksbury, Chuck Friend of Ronnie DeFeo; questioned by police; testified at the murder trial.
Tyndall, Edwin Amityville PD officer; second to arrive at the DeFeo crime scene.
Vedder, Mimi Friend of the Lutzes who put them in contact with William Weber in January 1976.
Vetter, Charles Juror on the Ronnie DeFeo murder trial.
Warren, Ed & Lorraine Self-taught Demonologists who investigated the Amityville house in 1976 and proclaimed it was infested with demons. Ed died in 2006 at the age of 79.
Weaver, Harry Juror on the Ronnie DeFeo murder trial.
Weber, William Ronnie DeFeo's court-appointed defense attorney (his third) who handled the murder trial and subsequent appeal; claims the haunting was fiction, co-created by himself.
Weiss, Mindy Ronnie's girlfriend for the 5 months prior to the murders; bartender; Ronnie visited her after the murders, around 1:30 pm.
Wendell, John Bartender at Henry's on November 13, 1974 when Ronnie DeFeo ran in and shouted that he had just found his parents shot dead
Wilson, Brian Owned the Amityville house from 1997 to 2010.
Wyssling, Richard Attorney whose wife was a cousin of the Brigantes; given the run around by police when trying to locate Ronnie after the murders.
Yeswoit, Joe Customer in Henry's Bar when Ronnie DeFeo ran in and shouted that he had just found his parents shot dead; one of five customers who followed Ronnie back to his house to investigate; called 911, informing police of the murders.
Zaffis, John Nephew of the Warrens and paranormal investigator.
Zolan, Dr. Harold Psychiatrist called-in by prosecutor Gerard Sullivan to examine Ronnie DeFeo's state of mind during the trial; died in 1989 at the age of 71.

Thanks to Rip Holly and Jason Pyke for their help compiling this index!

 

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