The Haunted Legacy of America's Most Notorious Homes
Real estate with a gruesome history often leaves homeowners grappling with more than property upkeep—some must confront lingering stigmas tied to traumatic events. Here, we explore America’s most haunted houses, where ghostly presences and the shadow of violent crimes remain.
1. Los Feliz Murder Mansion – Los Angeles, CA
The Los Feliz Mansion, a haunting relic of 1959, was the site where Dr. Harold Perelson murdered his wife before taking his own life. Left empty for decades, the property became notorious, attracting thrill-seekers curious about its dark history. Even after recent sales, the house continues to cast a chilling presence in Los Angeles, as local legends persist about hauntings within its walls.
2. Chris Watts House – Frederick, CO
The Watts family home in Colorado became infamous in 2018 when Chris Watts murdered his pregnant wife and two daughters. A widely publicized Netflix documentary captured the horror, leaving the house with an enduring mark in the community. Now empty, the property still attracts visitors but is in legal limbo, carrying a significant lien from a wrongful death suit. The house’s connection to tragedy leaves the neighborhood struggling to move forward.
3. Amityville Horror House – Amityville, NY
The Amityville house, forever etched into pop culture as America’s most haunted residence, is tied to the 1974 DeFeo family murders. Ronald DeFeo Jr.’s massacre of his family triggered eerie phenomena for later residents, inspiring the famous Amityville Horror books and movies. Despite attempts to sell, the Amityville house remains a daunting prospect for potential buyers and a site of quiet dread for the local community.
4. Villisca Axe Murder House – Villisca, IA
In 1912, the Moore family’s home in Villisca, Iowa, was the scene of a horrific and unsolved axe murder that left eight dead. Although it’s now open for curious visitors to spend the night, the house holds a somber place in the town’s memory. The unresolved crime has left an indelible mark, transforming this home into a chilling landmark of American haunted history.
5. Lizzie Borden House – Fall River, MA
Known for the gruesome rhyme “Lizzie Borden took an axe...,” this house in Massachusetts was the site of the unsolved 1892 murders of Lizzie’s father and stepmother. Though Lizzie was acquitted, the mystery remains unsolved, and the property has since become a bed-and-breakfast for those intrigued by its unsettling past. The Borden home embodies a piece of America’s most haunted legacy, where echoes of the crime continue to attract those interested in its mysteries.
How Lifeline Capital Group Helps Families Move Forward
For families seeking a fresh start after tragedy, Lifeline Capital Group provides vital services, offering financial solutions to access home equity or cover legal costs. By helping individuals access their home’s equity or provide bail and attorney funding, Lifeline Capital Group is a lifeline for those moving past trauma, ready to reclaim their future from the shadows of America’s most haunted homes.