Dan Rivera, a respected paranormal investigator and U.S. Army veteran, has tragically died at the age of 54 while on tour with the infamous Annabelle doll — the so-called “possessed” Raggedy Ann that inspired The Conjuring horror franchise.
Rivera passed away on Sunday, July 13, during a stop in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he was appearing as part of the Devils on the Run paranormal tour. The event featured the original Annabelle doll, housed by the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), where Rivera served as Senior Lead Investigator.
According to emergency records obtained by The Evening Sun, Rivera was found unresponsive in his hotel room. CPR was performed, but he was pronounced dead shortly after. The Adams County Coroner’s Office has not yet disclosed an official cause of death.
Paranormal Community in Mourning
Rivera’s death was confirmed by NESPR in a somber statement posted to Facebook on Monday, July 14:
“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.”
Ghostly Images of Gettysburg, the host venue for the weekend’s sold-out events, also issued a heartfelt tribute:
“Dan was a distinguished figure in the paranormal research community… His legacy will continue to inspire future generations.”
More Than Just a Ghost Hunter
Born and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Rivera was a U.S. Army veteran who later found his life’s calling in paranormal research. He joined NESPR in 2011, training under the legacy of Ed and Lorraine Warren, the iconic duo behind The Amityville Horror and The Conjuring.
Rivera was known not only for his investigations but also for his knowledge of Santeria rituals, which he incorporated into spiritual protection practices during tours and sessions. His calm demeanor and deep understanding of the paranormal earned him widespread respect.
Rivera’s Media Influence
Outside of live events, Rivera helped bring paranormal research to pop culture. He was a consulting producer on Netflix’s 28 Days Haunted and co-created viral TikTok videos featuring Annabelle, which helped drive interest in the Devils on the Run tour. Many of those clips racked up millions of views, cementing Rivera as both an expert and an entertainer.
About the Doll: Annabelle
The original Annabelle doll — a plain, vintage Raggedy Ann — has a chilling backstory. According to NESPR, it was gifted to a nursing student in 1968, and soon after, violent paranormal phenomena began to occur. A psychic claimed it was haunted by the spirit of a girl named Annabelle, but the Warrens believed it was actually demonically possessed.
The doll was removed from the home and sealed in a glass case at the Warrens’ occult museum, where it remains to this day. Its legend inspired the hit horror films Annabelle and The Conjuring.
Tour to Continue?
Despite Rivera’s tragic passing, the Devils on the Run tour is reportedly still scheduled to continue, with final stops planned in September. As of now, tickets remain on sale.
Final Thoughts
Dan Rivera leaves behind a powerful legacy in both the paranormal and entertainment communities. His work helped bridge the gap between mystery and storytelling, blending centuries-old folklore with modern media. While his sudden passing has left fans shaken, Rivera’s voice — and the spirits he investigated — will not be forgotten.
10 Unknown Facts About the Real Annabelle Doll
| # | Fact | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | It’s a Raggedy Ann doll, not porcelain | The real Annabelle is a plain cloth Raggedy Ann doll, unlike the porcelain-faced version seen in the Annabelle movies. |
| 2️⃣ | The doll was a birthday gift | A nursing student named Donna received the doll as a birthday gift from her mother in 1968 — she had no idea it would soon terrorize her home. |
| 3️⃣ | It was said to move on its own | Donna and her roommate Angie claimed the doll would change positions, move to different rooms, and even stand upright by itself. |
| 4️⃣ | A spirit named “Annabelle Higgins” was blamed | A psychic medium told the women the doll was inhabited by a 7-year-old girl named Annabelle Higgins who died on the property. |
| 5️⃣ | It wrote creepy notes | The women reported finding childlike notes written in pencil on parchment paper — paper they didn’t own — saying things like “Help us.” |
| 6️⃣ | It attacked a male friend | A visitor named Lou claimed the doll scratched his chest, leaving bloody claw marks that mysteriously vanished the next day. |
| 7️⃣ | The Warrens said it was demonic | Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren concluded that no child’s spirit was involved — the entity was demonic, using the doll as a conduit. |
| 8️⃣ | It was blessed and sealed away | The Warrens had a priest bless the doll and then locked it in a glass case in their Occult Museum to prevent further harm. |
| 9️⃣ | It’s labeled “Warning: Do Not Touch” | The case has a clear warning sign because past visitors who mocked or touched the doll reportedly faced fatal accidents. |
| 🔟 | Its museum is now closed | After Lorraine Warren’s death in 2019 and zoning issues in Monroe, Connecticut, the Warren Occult Museum is currently closed to the public — but the doll remains in secure containment. |
