Episode #27
Where True Crime Meets the Paranormal: Amityville & The Devil Made Me Do It
Send us Fan Mail Hi everyone! Welcome to our podcast, Whispers from the Mist: Conversations from the Spiritual Byway. In this week’s episode, we continue our exploration of Ed and Lorraine Warren by looking at two of the most well-known cases connected to their work: Amityville and the case that would later become known as “The Devil Made Me Do It.” Both of these stories sit at the intersection between true crime and the paranormal. Michelle shares why that overlap has long captured her attention and why these cases have remained a lasting part of paranormal history and popular culture. Amityville, New York: In 1974, six members of the DeFeo family were murdered inside their home at 112 Ocean Avenue. About a year later, George and Kathy Lutz moved into the house with their children. Shortly after moving in, they reported a series of disturbing experiences that would eventually become one of the most famous hauntings in America. We look at what happened before the Lutz family arrived, the claims they later made about their time in the home, the involvement of Ed and Lorraine Warren, and the ways the story continued to grow through books, films, interviews, and decades of debate. Brookfield, CT: From there, we turn to the case of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, who was charged with the 1981 killing of Alan Bono. The case became widely known because of claims that Johnson had been influenced or possessed by a demonic presence at the time he committed the crime. We discuss the reported possession claims, the events that came before the murder, the legal case that followed it, and the challenge of separating documented facts from paranormal belief, interpretation, and the versions of the story that we have been told over time. These are cases where the crime itself is very real, while the paranormal claims remain deeply debated. Our goal is not to tell you what to believe, but to look at the stories, the people involved, and the questions that continue to surround them. Whether you approach these cases from a true crime perspective, a paranormal perspective, or somewhere in between, they remain two of the most talked-about stories connected to the Warren legacy. When listening to these cases, please take a moment to honor the real-life victims of both tragedies: Ronald Defeo Sr (43), Louise Defeo (43), Dawn Defeo (18), Allison Defeo (13), Marc Defeo (12), John Matthew Defeo (9) and Alan Bono (40). We believe it is important to remember the lives affected and not allow them to become lost in the mystery, controversy, or legend surrounding the cases. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a 5-star rating and review! Resources & Further Reading: ● New England Society for Psychic Research https://warrens.net/ ● The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson ● HISTORY – Background on the DeFeo murders and the Amityville story ● A&E – Historical background on the Amityville house and case ● Additional interviews, documentaries, archival material, and historical reporting related to the Amityville and Arne Cheyenne Johnson cases Email: connect@whispersfromthemist.com Websites connected to this podcast: ● https://www.whispersfromthemist.com/ ● https://spirituallysituated.com Instagram: ● @whispers_from_the_mist ● @insight_with_stacy ● @spiritually_situated
