Latest news with #Annabelle
Metro
27 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Paranormal TV investigator Dan Rivera dies suddenly while touring with haunted Annabelle doll
The paranormal community is in mourning following the sudden and mysterious death of Dan Rivera. The well-known ghost hunter and caretaker of the infamous haunted Annabelle doll passed away while on a U.S. tour at 54 years old. Rivera, a lead investigator with the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), was found unresponsive in his Gettysburg, Pennsylvania hotel room on Sunday night. He had been in town for a sold-out stop on his Devils on the Run tour, a controversial cross-country event showcasing the real Annabelle doll, famously linked to demonic possession and featured in The Conjuring universe. Australian horror filmmaker James Wan, who brought Annabelle to global attention in his 2013 hit The Conjuring and its 2014 spin-off, paid tribute to Rivera on social media Wednesday, expressing shock and sadness over the investigator's unexpected passing. Wan, 48, had only recently mourned the loss of another close colleague, Jason Constantine. Emergency dispatch records confirmed a CPR-in-progress call for a man matching Rivera's description, but the official cause of death has not yet been released. NESPR confirmed Rivera's death soon after, prompting an outpouring of grief from fans and fellow investigators across the world. Rivera had become a cult figure in the paranormal world, gaining a devoted following through his eerie investigations, viral content, and direct work with some of the world's most notorious haunted objects. At the center of it all was Annabelle, a seemingly innocuous Raggedy Ann doll believed to be possessed by a malevolent spirit, or worse. Annabelle's legend dates back to the 1970s, when a young nurse claimed the doll moved on its own and left frightening handwritten messages. Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren concluded the doll was a conduit for a demonic entity and locked it inside a glass case in their private occult museum, where it remained for decades until Rivera and NESPR took it on tour earlier this year. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The Devils on the Run tour, which began in May, brought Annabelle to cities across the U.S., sparking massive interest as well as widespread concern. Critics accused Rivera of exploiting fear and superstition, while some believers warned that removing the doll from its sealed case could unleash dangerous energy. That fear intensified during a stop on the tour when visitors claimed the three-foot-tall doll inexplicably vanished for several minutes. The moment triggered a flurry of online speculation, with some convinced the doll had escaped or cursed those present. Despite the ominous air of the tour, Rivera was known for his charismatic, light-hearted demeanor and dedication to educating the public about paranormal phenomena. He treated Annabelle not just as a creepy object, but as a symbol of unexplained forces that demanded respect. The original Annabelle doll is a Raggedy Ann-style cloth doll that became the subject of widespread attention due to its alleged involvement in paranormal events investigated by Ed and Lorraine Warren, prominent figures in American demonology and paranormal research. The events began in 1970, when a nursing student named Donna received the doll as a gift from her mother. Shortly after, Donna and her roommate Angie reported unusual activity involving the doll, including changes in its position and location within their apartment. They also discovered handwritten notes on parchment paper with disturbing messages such as 'Help me,' despite not having such paper in the apartment. Seeking an explanation, the women consulted a medium who claimed that the doll was inhabited by the spirit of a deceased girl named Annabelle Higgins. However, the Warrens, upon investigating, concluded that the presence associated with the doll was not that of a human spirit but a malevolent, demonic entity using the doll as a conduit to ultimately possess a human host. Following their investigation, the Warrens removed the doll and placed it in a secure glass case in their Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut, with a warning label reading, 'Warning: Positively Do Not Open.' The doll is also associated with a supposed curse. The Warrens recounted an incident in which a museum visitor mocked the doll and challenged its power. According to their account, the visitor died in a motorcycle accident shortly after being asked to leave the museum. This story has contributed to the belief that Annabelle carries a dangerous curse, although no verifiable evidence supports these claims. Gettysburg, the final stop on Rivera's tour, has long been regarded as one of America's most haunted towns as its a former Civil War battlefield steeped in tragic history and ghost lore. The eerie setting added a final layer of mystery to a man who spent his life walking the line between legend and reality. X user @MillsTwitch wrote: 'First of all – Dan Rivera rocked. His passing sucks. Also… PUT THE DAMN DOLL BACK PLEASE.' @SantaCawws posted: 'OMG Annabelle is actually cursed? This is insane RIP Dan Rivera!' More Trending @sweetirpie1970 agreed: 'That's sad and creepy 😞' As news of Rivera's death spread, fans flooded social media with tributes and memories, praising him for his fearless spirit and passion for the supernatural. The future of the Devils on the Run tour remains unclear. So does the fate of Annabelle, the doll that Rivera had guarded so closely until the end. Whether one believes in curses or not, the sudden passing of Dan River has left an unsettling silence in the world he helped illuminate as well as a chilling reminder that some stories may be more than just fiction. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Kevin Spacey begs for release of Epstein files and insists he 'has nothing to fear' MORE: Miley Cyrus won't tour new album because of her mental health and sobreity MORE: Stevie Wonder clears up bizarre rumour that he's not really blind
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Paranormal investigator Dan Rivera dies suddenly while touring with ‘haunted' Annabelle doll
NEW YORK, July 16 — Paranormal investigator Dan Rivera died suddenly during a tour featuring the infamous 'haunted' Annabelle doll over the weekend. According to the New York Daily News, Rivera was in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for a stop on the 'Devils on the Run' tour when emergency responders were called to his hotel on Sunday night. While the exact cause of death is unclear, TMZ reported that dispatch logs from Adams County revealed that there was a call made for CPR in progress on a man who matched Rivera's age. Emergency responders were dispatched to his hotel on Sunday night. 'It's with deep sadness that [we] share the sudden passing of our close friend and partner, Dan Rivera,' the New England Society for Psychic Research said on Facebook, confirming his death. 'We are heartbroken and still processing this loss. Dan truly believed in sharing his experiences and educating people on the paranormal. His kindness and passion touched everyone who knew him. Thank you for your support and kind thoughts during this difficult time.' Rivera, 54, served as lead investigator for the Connecticut-based organisation founded by Ed and Lorraine Warren. He was also the official handler of the Raggedy Ann doll that inspired the Annabelle character in The Conjuring film series. The doll was previously kept in the Warrens' now-closed Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut. Rivera was known for his work educating the public about paranormal phenomena.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Paranormal expert dies on tour with 'possessed' original Annabelle doll
Dan Rivera, 54, suddenly died while hosting a US tour with the doll. A paranormal expert has died while travelling on tour with the original Annabelle doll. Dan Rivera died suddenly following a stop at the New England Society of Psychic Research in Pennsylvania. The 54-year-old had been hosting a US tour with the doll, which inspired the character in the horror film The Conjuring. As reported in the Mirror, lead investigator at the society, Chris Gilloren, announced Dan's death on social media. He wrote: "It's with deep sadness that Tony, Wade, and I share the sudden passing of our close friend and partner, Dan Rivera. We are heartbroken and still processing this loss." In his statement, Chris went on to speak of Rivera's legacy. "Dan truly believed in sharing his experiences and educating people on the paranormal. His kindness and passion touched everyone who knew him. "Thank you for your support and kind thoughts during this difficult time." Rivera's cause of death is yet to be shared publicly. The Adams County Coroner listed it as "pending," according USA Today. According to Adams County dispatch scanner archives, authorities were called to a Gettysburg hotel on July 13. They are said to have responded to a report of a CPR in progress of a 54-year-old man. Just a day before his death, NESPR hosted a showing of the Annabelle doll. The doll is normally kept at the Warrens' Occult Museum in Connecticut, which was created by demonist Ed Warren and trance medium Lorraine Warren. The story of the haunting Annabelle doll story is said to have begun in 1968 when a nursing student was given a Raggedy Ann doll as a gift. NESPR says: "She brings it home where she lives with a roommate. Almost immediately, the roommates noticed strange occurrences with the doll and they were introduced to a medium who told them the doll was inhabited by the spirit of a young girl named Annabelle. The two roommates tried to accept the doll's spirit and please it only to have it reciprocate maliciousness and violent intent." The Warrens were called to investigate the doll, which they removed from the house and encased it in a glass box. As part of the Annabelle doll tour, the NESPR state it has "reportedly brought misfortune, injury, and even death to those who have interacted with it improperly." Rivera had been involved in paranormal research for over a decade before his death. His bio reads: "At an early age he was introduced to haunting phenomena, having witnessed paranormal events occurring in his home." The US Army veteran considered himself to be "an expert in the rites and rituals of Santeria." He was part of the Devils on the Run Tour, hosted by NESPR, as they travelled with the Annabelle doll.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Vikrant Massey steps away from 'Don 3', search begins for new 'VILLAIN'
Annabelle Tour Ghost Hunter Dies Suddenly: Dan Rivera Found Unresponsive On 'Devils On The Run' Tour Paranormal investigator Dan Rivera has died under mysterious circumstances while on a national ghost tour featuring the infamous Annabelle doll, said to be 'demonically possessed' by the New England Society for Psychic Research. Rivera, 54, was staying in Gettysburg, a town steeped in Civil War hauntings, when emergency responders were called to his hotel for a cardiac emergency. He was pronounced dead shortly after, with no official cause yet confirmed. Rivera had been leading the "Devils on the Run" tour, which took the haunted doll across America, and had just completed a packed, three-day event at Gettysburg's notoriously haunted orphanage. His shocking death has reignited eerie chatter about the so-called 'Annabelle curse' and left the paranormal community in disbelief. 714 views | 1 hour ago
International Business Times
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- International Business Times
Dan Rivera: New England Paranormal Investigator Dies 'Under Suspicious Circumstances' During 'Haunted' Annabelle Tour
A New England-based paranormal investigator died over the weekend while on tour with the infamous "Annabelle" doll that featured in "The Conjuring" horror movie franchise. Dan Rivera, of Bridgeport, Connecticut - the senior lead investigator of the New England Society for Psychic Research's (NESPR) - died suddenly at age 54 on Sunday, according to NESPR. He was on tour for an event showcasing Annabelle in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, at the time, but it is not yet clear how he died. Rivera's Cause of Death Unknown, Died Under Suspicious Circumstances "Dan was not only a vital part of our team for over a decade, but also a deeply compassionate, loyal, and dedicated friend," NESPR wrote in a statement Tuesday night. Rivera's cause of death is still being determined by the local coroner's office, but he is not believed to have died under suspicious circumstances. The coroner's office told the newspaper he was found alone in his hotel room. The Annabelle Tour As reported by Mass Live, Rivera was a helping lead at a sold-out event in Gettysburg on Saturday, the newspaper reported, showcasing Annabelle to attendees. The event was part of the nationwide "Devils on the Run" tour in which NESPR members were sharing the doll with fans. "Experience a chilling night of paranormal history as the infamous Annabelle doll visits Gettysburg's Haunted Orphanage," read the description of the event, which allowed visitors to view the real Annabelle doll and other haunted artifacts. The Connecticut-based paranormal society doesn't know "what the future of NESPR will look like without Dan," but plans to move forward with the other events it previously scheduled for later in the year, NESPR said Tuesday. "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," NESPR wrote. "We will carry his spirit with us in everything we do." What is NESPR? NESPR was founded by controversial, self-proclaimed demon-hunters Ed and Lorraine Warren. The late couple are the main characters in "The Conjuring" movie series and were Annabelle's caretakers. The Warrens were called in to investigate the antique doll in 1968 after a student nurse — who'd received Annabelle as a gift — noticed "strange occurrences" involving the doll, according to NESPR's website. A medium later told the student and her roommate that the toy doll was possessed by a young girl named Annabelle. The two women tried to appease Annabelle, but the doll responded only with "maliciousness and violent intent," according to NESPR's website. The Warrens eventually took Annabelle to their Monroe, Connecticut, occult museum and put her in a glass box "to contain the evil spirited entity." The doll was showcased there for decades until the museum closed in 2019 due to zoning issues. NESPR members have remained Annabelle's keepers since that time.
