While most Amityville Horror specials take a look at the alleged hauntings that inspired the classic horror movie, the more terrifying horror story is the very real murders that spawned the ghost stories in the first place. That multiple homicide will be explored in an upcoming EPIX series, we’ve learned, titled “The Making of a Haunting: The Amityville Murders.”

It was in 1974 that Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered six of his family members while they slept in their Amityville, NY home, subsequently claiming voices in his head made him do it.

Wikipedia details, “The victims were Ronald Jr.’s parents: Ronald DeFeo Sr. (43) and Louise DeFeo (née Brigante, 43); and his four siblings: Dawn (18), Allison (13), Marc (12), and John Matthew (9). All of the victims had been shot with a .35 caliber lever action Marlin 336C rifle around three o’clock in the morning of that day. The DeFeo parents had both been shot twice, while the children had all been killed with single shots. Physical evidence suggests that Louise DeFeo and her daughter Allison were both awake at the time of their deaths. According to Suffolk County Police, the victims were all found lying face down in bed.”

In four parts, “The Making of a Haunting: The Amityville Murders” covers the true history behind the scary stories told in the book and film series The Amityville Horror.

Executive producers include Lesley Chilcott, Blaine Duncan, Brooklyn Hudson, Amanda Raymond, Rhett Bachner and Brien Meagher. B17 Entertainment produces.

The docuseries is part of EPIX’s continued efforts to create “prestigious and thought-provoking programming with the best storytellers in the industry.”

Variety first reported the news this week.

EPIX is also developing a new season of the Stephen King-based “Chapelwaite.”

‘The Amityville Horror’ (1979)