Ronald Joseph DeFeo Jr., who was charged and convicted for the 1974 murders of his father, mother, two brothers, and two sisters in Amityville, Long Island, New York, has died. The American mass murderer died on March 12, 2021, at the age of 69, at Albany Medical Center, while serving a sentence of 25 years to life in prison for murdering his family members.

Due to health concerns, he was transferred to the medical center on February 2nd from the prison in New York’s Catskill Mountains. Interestingly, DeFeo, also known as ‘The Butch,’ was involved with a woman prior to the heinous murders. Even after he was imprisoned, he married three more times.

Quick Facts

Ronald DeFeo Net worth

Ronald DeFeo’s net worth was about $1 Million – $5 Million.

Wife of DeFeo Prior to Conviction

Before the murders, DeFeo married Geraldine Gates. The couple acknowledged their marriage and daughter in 1986 to Newsday. The relationship that led to a child and marriage is unclear. DeFeo met Gates in a bar in 1973. According to Gates, DeFeo’s drink sparked their romance.

She said DeFeo was compassionate, loving, and giving. She said his macho act was fake. Gates described DeFeo as “kind, compassionate, caring, and giving” I saw through his macho image.
DeFeo’s lawyer didn’t know about his wife and daughter. DeFeo met Gates in a bar in 1973.

According to Gates, DeFeo’s drink sparked their romance. She regarded DeFeo as caring and giving. She said his macho act was fake. DeFeo’s lawyer didn’t know about his wife and daughter. Their daughter was born in New Jersey on August 21, 1974, but she was never registered.

After DeFeo’s daughter was born, his father compelled him to marry Gates. Gates produced a photocopy of the marriage certificate to establish the wedding was on October 17, 1974, at the Garfield Grant Hotel in Long Branch. Neither Long Branch nor New Jersey has a certificate. Thomas J. Baldino Jr., the city magistrate in the photocopy, said he retired in 1964 and never performed marriages.

Since the murders, DeFeo and Gates haven’t spoken. DeFeo had sent her away, she said. Personal accounts contradict governmental and legal documents. Gates’ marriage to DeFeo is unclear.

The Wives of DeFeo Following the Conviction

While incarcerated, DeFeo was involved with three women. From 1994 to 1999, he was married to Barbara Puco, according to IMDB. Following his conviction, he married Tracey Defeo in 2004. He divorced Tracey, but the exact date is unknown.

Nissa Burkhalter, with whom he was married from June 2012 to July 2015, was his most recent wife.

Amityville Murders

DeFeo was serving six life sentences for the murders of his parents Ronald DeFeo, Sr. (43), and Louise (42) as well as his siblings John (9), Marc (12), Allison (13), and Dawn (42). (18). The murders occurred on November 13, 1974, while the victims were sleeping at their home at 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville.

According to police, DeFeo shot each member of his family with a 35-caliber Marlin lever-action rifle. He’d shot each of his siblings once and both of his parents twice.

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