Episode 605: The Stars Over Salem with Special Guest Aliza Kelly

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. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Al and Carmen Snedeker found out that their son Phillip was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, the treatment plan required the family to relocate into a three floor home in Southington, Connecticut. The second floor apartment quickly became a nightmare for the inhabitants, with attacks escalating to demonic assault. Thank you to the incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and writing support! References Carpenter, B. (1988, September 15). Exorcism performed in 'spirited' home. Record-Journal (Meriden, CT), p. 37. Carpenter, B. (1988, August 18). Researcher says home haunted by evil presence. Record-Journal (Meriden, CT), p. 33. Carpenter, B. (1988, August 13). Southington haunting is daunting . Record-Journal (Meriden, CT), p. 1. Cohen, J. (1992, October 27). Their Southington haunt was hellish, couple tell Sally Jessy. Record-Journal (Meriden, CT), p. 1. Garton, R., & Warren, E. (1992). In a Dark Place: The True Story of a Haunting. New York, NY: Villard Books. I was raped by a ghost (1992). [Motion Picture]. Nickel, J. (2009). Demons in Connecticut. Skeptical Inquirer, 25-27. Schmidt, K. (1992, October 30). Couple sees ghost; skeptics see through it. Hartford Courant, p. 126. Smith, G. (1991, May 15). Family still haunted by ghastly experience. Record-Journal (Meriden, CT), p. 1. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the depths of the dark net, tech journalist Carl Miller makes a disturbing discovery: a secret Kill List targeting hundreds of innocent people on a murder for hire website. When the police decide not to investigate, Carl is thrown into a race against time to warn those in danger and uncover the truth about the people who want them dead. From Wondery and Novel, comes a true story about obsession, control and the price of life and death. Listen to Kill List on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts: Wondery.fm/Kill_List  You can listen to Kill List and more Exhibit C true crime shows like Morbid early and ad-free right now by joining Wondery+. Check out Exhibit C in the Wondery App for all your true crime listening. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We continue to celebrate Spooky Season by touching on a few cemeteries that will make your spine tingle! Alaina tells us about the Westminster Hall and Burying Ground and its connection to a gothic icon. Ash dives into the stories about the Bachelor's Grove Cemetery and reads a first hand haunting account from a fellow weirdo! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Weirdos! Rejoice! Spooky Season continues as we check into a few hotels where you will get more than free WiFi and room service! Alaina introduces us to not one, but TWO haunted hotels in Arizona! She delves into the Oliver House where historically verified murders have left terrifying specters as well as its haunted counterpart the Copper Queen! Ash brings us to Georgia, where the Marshall House ghostly residents walk the halls in search of their missing limbs! If you have any suggestions for future spooky episodes email us at morbidpodcast@gmail.com with “spooky” in the title! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.