Paranormal Investigator Dies While Touring With ‘Demonically Possessed’ Annabelle Doll

Paranormal investigator Dan Rivera, who’s been touring the United States with a supposedly haunted Raggedy Ann doll named Annabelle, died unexpectedly at a hotel, sparking a big reaction online.

Rivera, 54, was found dead in his room on Sunday at the end of his three-day stop in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, as part of his “Devils on the Run Tour” with the doll. 

Pennsylvania State Police shared a more detailed report on Wednesday.

“Members from PSP Gettysburg responded to a hotel in Straban Township, Adams County for a report of a deceased [man],” the report said. “The decedent was discovered in his hotel room by workers.

“Nothing unusual or suspicious was observed at the scene,” it added. “This case is pending autopsy results.”

The New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) described this particular doll as “demonically possessed.” It was given to a nursing student in 1968, and she claimed that something wasn’t right with it.

“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 organization reported. “The two roommates tried to accept the doll’s spirit and please it only to have it reciprocate maliciousness and violent intent.”

The society’s late founders, Ed and Lorraine Warren, kept the doll stored in a glass case in an effort to “contain the evil spirited entity.”

The movie “The Conjuring” is based on the story of the “haunted” doll Annabelle. Meanwhile, many people are skeptical of the claims that the doll is possessed. 

A statement from NESPR stated that the tour would continue. “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 and Lorraine Warren,” it said. “We will carry his spirit in everything we do.”

Colleagues of Rivera also called out commenters who tried to claim that his death was in some way staged to drum up interest for the tour. 

“Ghost Hunters” star Jason Hawes shared his thoughts on Facebook, saying, “The world lost a good man.

“Dan Rivera was an Army veteran, a father of four, a husband, and someone who truly cared about people,” he wrote. “What’s even harder to see right now are the posts blaming his death on things like the Annabelle doll and attacking places like Ghostly Images of Gettysburg Tours and other locations for having events. That needs to stop.

“His family shouldn’t have to read that kind of nonsense while they’re grieving,” Hawes added. “Some people are using his passing to push an agenda for profit, and it’s just disgusting. Dan was a family man, a respected paranormal investigator, and he left this world way too soon…Honor the man. Forget the garbage.”