Ronald Defeo Nissa Burkhalter Info
Here is a detailed look at the intersection of a notorious killer and the woman who chose to love him.
Ronald DeFeo Jr. died in prison on March 12, 2021, at the age of 69. He never admitted full, unadulterated guilt in a way that satisfied the victims' families or the public, maintaining his web of alternative theories until the end. Burkhalter did not release a public statement upon his death, maintaining the privacy she reclaimed after their split. ronald defeo nissa burkhalter
Ronald DeFeo Jr. was serving six consecutive sentences of 25 years to life at the Sullivan Correctional Facility when he met Nissa Burkhalter. Unlike his previous high-profile relationship with Geraldine Gates, which was marked by public legal battles and claims of secret children, the union with Burkhalter was relatively quiet. The two were married in a private ceremony within the prison walls in June 2012. Here is a detailed look at the intersection
Their marriage was relatively short-lived, ending in divorce in July 2015. He never admitted full, unadulterated guilt in a
The marriage baffled the public and prosecutors. For Burkhalter, however, the narrative was different. She did not see a monster; she saw a victim of the criminal justice system. She became one of DeFeo’s most vocal defenders, staunchly advocating for his innocence long after the appeals courts had shut the door on his case.
In 2004, cracks began to show. DeFeo, known for his volatility even behind bars, found himself in a conflict with Burkhalter. Reports indicate that DeFeo attempted to arrange a murder-for-hire plot targeting her. The exact details remain murky—some sources suggest he tried to enlist a fellow inmate to kill her, while others suggest he expressed a desire for her to be harmed.
She maintained that DeFeo was innocent of the murders, often latching onto his shifting theories. At various points, DeFeo claimed that his sister, Dawn DeFeo, was the actual killer, or that a hitman was involved. Burkhalter amplified these claims, arguing that the police investigation had been botched and that Ronald was the fall guy.
