Just hours after leading a sold-out crowd through the chilling history of the allegedly possessed doll Annabelle, Dan Rivera—a revered paranormal investigator—was discovered dead in his Gettysburg hotel room. The sudden loss has sent shockwaves through the paranormal community, leaving many to wonder: Did Annabelle claim her next victim?
At 54, Rivera was the lead investigator for the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), an organization steeped in paranormal lore since its founding in 1952 by famed demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren. NESPR has been at the center of some of the most terrifying hauntings ever recorded, including The Amityville Horror, The Enfield Poltergeist, and, of course, the cursed Annabelle doll.
The rag doll, modeled after Raggedy Ann, conceals a sinister truth behind its innocent smile. Reports say the doll was manipulated by a malevolent entity that reportedly moved it around the house and left ominous notes. Despite its soft fabric and yarn hair, Annabelle’s presence was anything but benign.
The Warrens, convinced that the doll housed a demonic spirit “inhuman and malevolent in nature,” placed Annabelle in a locked glass case to contain its evil. This haunting tale helped inspire the blockbuster The Conjuring franchise, forever cementing both the Warrens’ legacy and Annabelle’s terrifying place in pop culture.
Dan Rivera: A Life Devoted to the Paranormal
Known for his “insatiable curiosity,” Rivera’s fascination with ghost stories and the unexplained began in childhood. After serving in the military, he turned away from ordinary life and dove headfirst into the mysterious world of the supernatural.
His dedication earned him a rare mentorship with Lorraine Warren herself, who guided Rivera in her final years and prepared him to continue her groundbreaking work. In 2011, Rivera stepped into the role of lead investigator for NESPR, using his charisma and knowledge to bring paranormal research into the public eye.
The ‘Devils on the Run Tour’
Since May, Rivera had been touring the country with Annabelle as the centerpiece of the “Devils on the Run Tour”—a chilling roadshow presenting one of the world’s most feared cursed objects to eager audiences.
Now, in the wake of his sudden passing, questions loom large: Was this merely a tragic coincidence, or did the dark forces behind Annabelle strike once again?
“You’ve seen the movies. You’ve heard the stories. But nothing — NOTHING — prepares you for seeing the doll in person,” the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) warned in a Facebook post promoting Annabelle’s tour.
“Feel the chill creep up your spine as you lock eyes with evil.”
The infamous doll was kept inside a specially constructed case Rivera himself designed — lined with crosses and treated with a holy water-infused stain — believed to safely neutralize its dark powers.
A Final, Haunting Appearance
On July 12, a reporter from the Evening Sun sat among the crowd at Gettysburg’s Soldiers National Orphanage, the last stop of the sold-out summer tour. Rivera stood before the audience, captivating believers and calming skeptics alike with his signature mix of charisma and solemn caution.
“I want you guys to have a good time,” Rivera said, his voice steady as he introduced Annabelle. Quoting his late mentor Lorraine Warren, he offered spiritual advice:
“What Lorraine would say to protect yourself is to close your eyes and envision yourself in a halo of white light.”
But even the protective glow of white light couldn’t shield him in Gettysburg.
A Mysterious and Sudden Death
Just one day after his compelling presentation, Rivera was found unresponsive — reportedly alone — in his Gettysburg hotel room. Emergency responders pronounced him dead at the scene.
Pennsylvania State Police and the coroner’s office have stated there are no signs of foul play. Yet, the timing and circumstances have left the paranormal community reeling and questioning: was this a tragic coincidence, or did Annabelle’s malevolent presence reach out one last time?
Adams County Coroner Francis Dutrow confirmed to the Evening Sun that the exact cause of Dan Rivera’s mysterious death remains unknown, with autopsy results still pending as of July 15. According to the news outlet, the case falls under the coroner’s standard protocol for sudden, violent, unexplained, or unattended deaths—especially involving individuals without a known medical history or not under regular medical care. These details only deepen the haunting mystery of what truly transpired behind closed doors.
“I Say I Will Never Die”
In 2020, Rivera shared a heartfelt tribute on Facebook featuring a photo of the Warrens’ grave.
“Does life really end? I’ve asked myself that question today,” he wrote. “My answer was, in life, we leave a piece of ourselves with loved ones and friends on our journey through life until there are no more pieces to give away. You would think that is the end, but when you look back at all the pieces you gave away, those pieces will always be remembered.”
“So, I say I will never die,” Rivera concluded. “My journey has only begun.”
Fear and Fascination
Once confined behind glass, the Annabelle doll has now become the epicenter of renewed fear and fascination.
Was Dan Rivera’s sudden death a tragic coincidence? Or did something malevolent follow the tour from town to town, waiting silently for the perfect moment to strike?
Whatever the truth may be, one chilling fact remains: you don’t have to believe in ghosts for them to haunt you.
What do you think of this terrifying tale? Share your thoughts—and don’t forget to pass it on to your friends to keep the conversation alive.