Dan Rivera, handler of ‘haunted’ Annabelle, dies suddenly: The paranormal investigator & the creepy story of the doll

Dan Rivera, the man best known as the real-life handler of the infamous Annabelle doll, has died unexpectedly at the age of 54 while touring with the haunted toy.

A Connecticut-based paranormal investigator, Rivera had long been the primary caretaker of the original Raggedy Ann doll, said to be possessed, and which inspired the terrifying Annabelle character in The Conjuring universe.

According to the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), which organised Annabelle’s ‘Devils on the Run’ tour, Rivera passed away suddenly over the weekend at a stop in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

His passing has left a void in the world of paranormal research, particularly for those familiar with Annabelle’s unsettling reputation. So, who exactly was Dan Rivera, and why was he trusted to care for one of the most notorious haunted toys in the world?

Here’s a closer look at the man and the chilling story that made Annabelle a horror icon.

Who was Dan Rivera?

A US Army veteran turned paranormal investigator, Dan Rivera, had spent years working closely with the NESPR, the organisation established by legendary demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren.

Rivera gained popularity through shows like Most Haunted Places on Travel Channel and Netflix’s 28 Days Haunted. He also developed a strong online presence, sharing chilling insights and videos about haunted artefacts, including Annabelle, on TikTok.  

According to a report in the Daily Mail, Rivera’s fascination with the paranormal began early in life and only grew stronger with time. After serving in the military, he started his own investigation team.

His path later led him to Lorraine Warren, who mentored him and taught him spiritual protection techniques, including how to “visualise a halo of white light” to shield himself during investigations.

Eventually, Rivera became NESPR’s lead investigator. In that role, he helped extend the Warrens’ legacy, leading investigations into private hauntings, organising community events like the ParaCon convention, and of course, overseeing the safe handling of Annabelle.

News of Rivera’s death prompted a wave of grief from across the paranormal community.

“Dan truly believed in sharing his experiences and educating people on the paranormal,” NESPR said in a heartfelt statement on Facebook. “His kindness and passion touched everyone who knew him.”

Mary Jo Chudley of Penn Paranormal, speaking to the Daily Mail, remembered him as “a true legend” and “one of the kindest, most genuine and funniest guys.”

What happenend to Dan Rivera?

Dan Rivera was part of the Devils on the Run tour, an event hosted by Ghostly Images of Gettysburg in collaboration with the NESPR.

The tour pays tribute to the work of renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren and features the infamous Annabelle doll for those “brave enough to face her,” according to the organisers’ official website.

This particular stop in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was held at the town’s Haunted Orphanage. NESPR described the weekend event as “a night of paranormal history” as Annabelle made her eerie appearance at the famously haunted location.

Tragically, Rivera was found unresponsive in his hotel room on Sunday night, July 14, during the Gettysburg tour stop. Emergency services were called, and although CPR was performed, he was declared dead at the scene.

Adams County Chief Deputy Coroner Scott Pennewill told TODAY.com that Rivera’s death is not being treated as suspicious. “The coroner’s office and the state police were called to the scene on Sunday night,” he said, adding that Rivera’s body was sent for an autopsy, and results are pending. The findings are expected within 60 to 90 days.

Interestingly, Pennewill confirmed that the Annabelle doll was not in Rivera’s hotel room at the time of his death. He added that the doll may have been secured inside a van in the hotel parking lot, though he could not officially confirm its location.

Rivera’s death comes just a few months after a wave of rumours falsely claimed that Annabelle had gone missing while the group was touring in Louisiana. At the time, some visitors alleged they hadn’t seen the doll during one of the stops, but Rivera had quickly refuted the claims and reassured fans that the haunted object was safe.

The creepy legacy of Annabelle

The real-life Annabelle is far from the porcelain, sinister-looking doll made famous by The Conjuring universe. In reality, she’s a classic Raggedy Ann doll, red-yarn hair and all, though her backstory has made her one of the most infamous “haunted” objects in the world.

Annabelle’s story began in 1970 when the doll was gifted to two nursing students, Lara Clifton and Dierdre Bernard. What started as a quirky present soon turned eerie, as the women claimed the doll would move on its own. Disturbed, they eventually contacted a psychic, who told them the doll was possessed by the spirit of a young girl named Annabelle Higgins.

But the behaviour soon turned darker.

As recounted by Ed and Lorraine Warren’s biographer Gerald Brittle in The Demonologist, the doll allegedly began leaving handwritten notes on scraps of paper—ones that read messages like “HELP US” and “HELP CAL.” Especially creepy was that the girls could not find a pencil in the apartment that could have been used for the notes.

It eventually found its way to the Warrens, who locked the wide-eyed clown-like doll in a display case at the Warren Occult Museum, which, according to NBC News, is “secured by crosses and holy water.” It also famously warns visitors never to touch it.

Even members of the Warren family are wary of the doll.

Chris McKinnell, Ed and Lorraine’s grandson, told The Mirror that he doesn’t necessarily believe Annabelle is demonic, but does acknowledge its unsettling energy. “I don’t believe it’s a demon. But I do believe it has energy… it’s reactive, not active,” he said. “So why doesn’t it break out of its case? Because it only responds to people.”

Annabelle first appeared in 2013’s The Conjuring before receiving her own spin-off franchise. Annabelle was released in 2014, followed by Annabelle: Creation in 2017 and the latest entry, Annabelle Comes Home, in 2019.

Despite Rivera’s unexpected death, the infamous doll now continues its journey.

According to the NESPR, Annabelle will still make scheduled appearances in the coming months, with her next stop planned for Augusta, Maine.

With input from agencies