Paranormal expert Dan Rivera has died aged 54 while travelling with the original Annabelle doll. The investigator had been hosting a US tour with the doll that inspired the character in horror film The Conjuring.
He died suddenly following a stop at the New England Society of Psychic Research (NESPR) in Pennsylvania. Lead investigator at the society, Chris Gilloren, shared the sad news on the group’s Facebook page.
Chris wrote: “It’s with deep sadness that Tony, Wade, and I share the sudden passing of our close friend and partner, Dan Rivera.” He added: “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 to records viewed by USA Today.
According to Adams County dispatch scanner archives, authorities were called to a Gettysburg hotel on July 13. They reportedly responded to a CPR in progress for a 54-year-old man.
Just a day before, NESPR hosted a showing of the Annabelle doll. It is normally kept at the Warrens’ Occult Museum in Connecticut, created by demonologist Ed Warren and trance medium Lorraine Warren — portrayed by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga in the films.
The haunting Annabelle doll story began in 1968 when a nursing student received a Raggedy Ann doll as a gift.
“She brings it home where she lives with a roommate,” the NESPR said.
“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 and later encased the doll in a glass box. As part of the Annabelle doll tour, the NESPR stated 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 “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.
Over the weekend, they visited Gettysburg’s Haunted Orphanage. Plans included travelling across the US over the next few months, with stops in Maine, Illinois, and Kentucky.
Annabelle first appeared in the 2013 horror film The Conjuring before getting her own spin-off series. Her self-titled movie was released in 2014, followed by Annabelle: Creation (2017) and Annabelle Comes Home (2019).
