Police find 'nothing unusual' at scene of Annabelle doll handler's death

USA Today

2 days ago

Pennsylvania State Police have released new information concerning the death of Dan Rivera, a paranormal investigator known for leading nationwide tours with the allegedly haunted doll, Annabelle.
In a report shared on Wednesday, July 16, via X by Trooper Megan Frazer, officers wrote that Rivera was found in his hotel room by his coworkers on Sunday, July 13, in the Gettysburg area, located in central Pennsylvania. He and the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) were in the area as part of the organization's ongoing "Devils on the Run Tour," which featured the Annabelle doll.
Police said in the report that "nothing unusual or suspicious" was observed in Rivera's hotel room at the time of his death. The case is pending autopsy results, according to the law enforcement agency.
In a statement emailed to USA TODAY late Tuesday, July 15, NESPR said it is "devastated" by Rivera's death, which it called a "profound loss."
"Dan was not only a vital part of our team for over a decade, but also a deeply compassionate, loyal, and dedicated friend," the statement reads.
Who was Dan Rivera?
A U.S. Army veteran, Rivera "served both his country and the people around him," according to NESPR's statement.
"His integrity, creativity, and generosity defined him," the statement continues. "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."
With famed paranormal investigator Lorraine Warren as his mentor, Rivera would become a "constant presence" at local events, such as An Evening with Annabelle, NESPR said. As Warren's health declined, Rivera "remained by her side" and offered a "steady hand and unwavering support" before she died at the age of 92 in 2019.
"Dan's strong faith was a guiding light in his life," NESPR's statement reads. "He never wavered in his belief in God and often spoke about the spiritual side of the work we do. We find comfort in knowing that he is now at peace, reunited with loved ones who have gone before him."
NESPR also referred to Rivera as a "father, devoted husband, and loyal friend."
What is Annabelle?
Although made popular by the 2013 film "The Conjuring," Annabelle's origins date back to the 1970s when a mom gave her daughter, Donna, a 28-year-old nursing student, the doll she'd bought from a hobby store, according to the NESPR.
When the doll was in Donna's possession, she and her roommate, Angie, purportedly noticed weird paranormal activity occurring around the apartment, which began to escalate.
The legend behind the doll suggests that paranormal activity worsened, and that Annabelle was possessed by something "demonic and inhuman," NESPR said. The doll was eventually handed over to Ed and Lorraine Warren, who became famous for collecting paranormal objects and artifacts.
Annabelle was subsequently put on display in the Warren's occult museum, which was in Monroe, Connecticut.
Are the Annabelle tours ending?
No, the Annabelle tours are not ending, with NESPR and the doll scheduled to visit Rock Island, Illinois, in October, according to the Shreveport Times, part of the USA TODAY Network.
In NESPR's statement, the organization said, "As we navigate the days ahead, we want to share that although we do not know what the future of NESPR will look like without Dan, we do plan to move forward with the events previously scheduled for this year."
"We believe with all our hearts that Dan would have wanted the work to continue—bringing people together, sharing knowledge, and honoring the memory of Ed & Lorraine Warren. We will carry his spirit with us in everything we do," the statement continued.
Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [e-mail].