Paranormal investigator dies after Annabelle tour, infamous doll was ‘not in room', says coroner
Rivera, 54, had taken part in a stop on the 'Devils on the Run' tour at the historic Soldiers National Orphanage on Sunday, July 13. He was discovered unresponsive later that evening by hotel staff.
Adams County Coroner Francis Dutrow told People.com that the doll 'was not present when I arrived at the scene,' and confirmed it 'had not been in the hotel room at all.'
The Pennsylvania State Police confirmed to reporters that officers were called to the hotel after a man was found dead in his room.
'There was nothing unusual or suspicious observed at the scene,' the police said in a statement on Wednesday, 16 July.
Coroner Dutrow added that Rivera had been feeling unwell earlier in the day and told colleagues he was returning to his room. The cause of death is still unknown. Autopsy results are expected in eight to 10 weeks.
The missing Annabelle doll, the apparently haunted object at the centre of Rivera's tour, raised immediate questions online.
'The doll wasn't in the room,' said NESPR, the group Rivera worked with, in a statement quoted by The New York Post. 'She is safely secured.'
Rivera had been touring with the doll and speaking about its controversial history, often warning audiences about its supposed dangers.
Dan Rivera was a lead investigator with the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), founded in 1952 by famed ghost hunters Ed and Lorraine Warren. He was also a US Army veteran, a father, and a husband.
He had worked on several paranormal programmes, including Most Haunted Places on the Travel Channel, and produced Netflix's 28 Days Haunted.
In a tribute to Rivera, NESPR said, 'Dan was not only a vital part of our team for over a decade, but also a deeply compassionate, loyal, and dedicated friend. His integrity, creativity, and generosity defined him.'
They added, 'Dan's passion for the paranormal was rooted in a genuine desire to educate, help, and connect with others whether through social media, conventions, or investigations with local families seeking peace.'
According to NESPR, the Annabelle doll became infamous in 1968 after a student nurse in Connecticut claimed it behaved strangely. A medium later said it was inhabited by the spirit of a child named Annabelle.
Ed and Lorraine Warren, however, said the doll was not a harmless ghost but demonically possessed. They locked it in a glass case at their museum in Connecticut, where it remains today.
The story helped inspire The Conjuring film series and a spin-off franchise centered on Annabelle.
Rivera is survived by his wife and children. His friend Ryan Buell, host of Paranormal State, posted a tribute on Facebook describing Rivera as 'a thoughtful, committed investigator and a devoted family man.'
While officials say there is no foul play, the mystery surrounding Rivera's death and the absence of the doll from the scene continues to draw public attention. One person wrote under NESPR's tribute post: 'What happened in that room?'
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Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
Annabelle doll goes missing again: Science, myth, and the enduring grip of paranormal storytelling
Paranormal phenomena, those things that exist beyond the normal, have long fascinated audiences, fuelled by an enduring fascination and the debate over their validity. The line between myth and reality often blurs in this genre, keeping audiences of all ages on edge. And now, to further fuel this conversation, paranormal investigator Dan Rivera, 54, was found dead in his hotel room in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, just hours after leading a sold-out ghost tour featuring the infamous Annabelle doll. The doll is widely regarded as one of the most cursed and haunted objects in popular culture. This isn't the first time Annabelle has been rumoured to go missing or the first time violent paranormal activity linked to the doll has set social media ablaze with rumours. But what is it about these claims and the study of curses that captures the collective imagination? The 'fear economy' certainly plays a strong role in the success of this genre, particularly in the art of storytelling. For students of fiction, folklore, and literature, understanding where science and myth intersect in the construction of such stories might just be one of the most intriguing aspects of the marketing strategy behind paranormal tales. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo Clarifying all rumours first Before diving into the sea of rumours, facts must be stated straight. Despite the rumours and conspiracy theories surrounding Dan Rivera's sudden death, there is no credible evidence linking his passing to the Annabelle doll. Authorities have made it clear that nothing "unusual or suspicious" was found at the scene, and the cause of death remains under investigation, with autopsy results still pending. While some have speculated that the haunted doll may be involved due to its notorious history of alleged paranormal activity, these theories have not been supported by any official findings. The claims made by conspiracy theorists and a psychic medium, who suggested the doll could be connected to the spirit of a 6-year-old girl, remain unverified, and law enforcement has yet to establish any connection between the doll and Rivera's death. What of the 'Devils on the Run' tour? The tour was organised by the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), a group founded by renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Following Dan Rivera's death, NESPR has expressed their intention to continue the Annabelle tour, stating that they believe Rivera would have wanted the work to go on. They emphasised their commitment to preserving the memory of Ed and Lorraine Warren, bringing people together, and sharing knowledge about the paranormal. Despite the uncertainty surrounding Rivera's death and the missing doll, the organisation has confirmed plans to carry forward with the tour, unless circumstances change. From rumours, to myth to scientific investigation Annabelle's story has transcended simple rumours, evolving into a modern myth with a powerful grip on public imagination. It all began in the 1970s, when a nursing student named Donna reported strange occurrences linked to the doll. As the story spread, Ed and Lorraine Warren, the iconic paranormal investigators, added their voices to the narrative, claiming the doll was possessed by a demonic force. These chilling accounts formed the core of Annabelle's myth, one filled with violent incidents, including attacks on police officers and even fatal accidents. Yet, as the legend grew, so did the need for a more systematic approach to these claims. Paranormal researchers and sceptics alike began to scrutinise the doll's supposed powers, seeking evidence or scientific explanations. Despite no concrete proof ever emerging, the doll's story endures, showing how rumours can evolve into a compelling myth, and how myth itself can be subjected to scientific inquiry, blurring the lines between fact and fiction in the process. Selling rumours for thrill and tour tickets In the realm of paranormal storytelling, myths and rumours aren't just part of the story, they're part of the business. The chilling tale of Annabelle serves as a compelling case study in how the fear economy uses thrill as a product to capture audience interest. From local rumours to global myth, Annabelle has become a cultural icon, turning her into the headliner of multiple films and now, a sold-out tour. 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India Today
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'Haunted' Annabelle doll wasn't in US hotel room where paranormal investigator died
A leading figure in the world of paranormal investigation was found dead in a Gettysburg hotel room on July 13 and, despite swirling rumours, the 'haunted' Annabelle doll - linked to decades of supernatural lore - was not present anywhere on the spot at that Rivera, 54, a longtime researcher with the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), died while on tour in the US state of Pennsylvania, People reports. He participated in the 'Devils on the Run' paranormal tour, which featured alleged haunted objects, including the notorious Raggedy Ann-style doll said to be possessed by a sinister to People, Adams County Coroner Francis Dutrow said that the Annabelle doll was not in the room when he arrived at the spot after the paranormal investigator's death. In fact, the doll was not in the hotel room at any point during his stay, Dutrow added. Rivera had told his colleagues earlier that morning that he was feeling unwell and planned to rest in his room. His cause of death remains undetermined, with autopsy results expected in the coming Pennsylvania State Police shared a report with People, wherein the agency said: 'Nothing unusual or suspicious was observed at the scene.'The Annabelle doll, according to NESPR, gained notoriety in the late 1960s after a nursing student claimed the doll in her home displayed disturbing behaviour. Paranormal legends say the toy moved on its own, left eerie messages, and turned violent - allegedly under the influence of a demonic entity. It was eventually secured by the society's founders, paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, who housed it in a locked display at their Connecticut tale later served as inspiration for The Conjuring universe of films, propelling Annabelle into pop culture as a symbol of cursed objects.- EndsTrending Reel
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Dan Rivera mystery: No sign of Annabelle doll in hotel room; paranormalist's death leaves eerie silence
The mystery surrounding the death of American paranormal investigator Dan Rivera has taken a chilling turn, as Pennsylvania authorities confirm that the notorious Annabelle doll was not in the room where he died. But the eerie coincidence has only deepened the unease around his final hours. Rivera, 54, a lead investigator with the Connecticut-based New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), was in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, one of America's most haunted towns, for the Devils on the Run tour, accompanied by none other than Annabelle herself. But by Sunday morning, 13 July, he was found dead in his hotel room. The doll made famous by The Conjuring horror franchise is believed by many to be demonically possessed. Adams County Coroner Francis Dutrow told People on Friday, 18 July, that Annabelle was not in the room at the time when he arrived at the site on Sunday. He further added that the doll had not been in the room at all. Still, the timing of Rivera's death, while on tour with the infamous artefact, has left believers of the paranormal rattled. According to a report released by Pennsylvania State Police on Wednesday, 16 July, Rivera was discovered by hotel workers in Straban Township. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Beyond Text Generation: An AI Tool That Helps You Write Better Grammarly Install Now Undo 'Nothing unusual or suspicious was observed at the scene,' it said. His cause of death remains under investigation, with autopsy results expected in 8–10 weeks. Dutrow also noted that Rivera had been with colleagues that morning before excusing himself, saying he felt unwell and was heading back to his room, only to never return. To some, it might sound like a tragic coincidence. But to those believing in the story of Annabelle, the circumstances feel almost too chilling to ignore. The doll's story dates back to 1968, when a young nursing student received it as a gift. What began as minor disturbances quickly escalated into disturbing paranormal activity. A medium later claimed the doll was inhabited by the spirit of a young girl named Annabelle. But when the roommates tried to live peacefully with the doll, it responded with violence. Paranormal legends Ed and Lorraine Warren, founders of NESPR, eventually intervened, identifying the doll as demonically possessed. Since then, Annabelle has been kept locked in a glass case, sealed off from the world, or so it is believed. Dan Rivera had worked with NESPR for over a decade, dedicating his life to investigating what most dare not even whisper. In a heartfelt statement released Tuesday, 15 July, the society said: 'Dan was not only a vital part of our team for over a decade, but also a deeply compassionate, loyal, and dedicated friend.' 'His integrity, creativity, and generosity defined him. Dan's passion for the paranormal was rooted in a genuine desire to educate, help, and connect with others — whether through social media, conventions, or investigations with local families seeking understanding and peace.' The doll might have been absent from the room, but its origin is still rattling people over what the cause behind Rivera's death might have been.
