logo
Paranormal Investigator Did Not Have 'Possessed' Annabelle Doll in Hotel Room Where He Died: Coroner

Paranormal Investigator Did Not Have 'Possessed' Annabelle Doll in Hotel Room Where He Died: Coroner

Yahoo7 days ago
NEED TO KNOW
Dan Rivera, a paranormal investigator, died on July 13 during a stop in Pennsylvania while touring with the "demonically possessed" Annabelle doll
Adams County coroner Francis Dutrow confirms to PEOPLE that the doll was not present when he arrived at the scene
The results of his autopsy are expected in about 8-10 weeksNo, the allegedly 'possessed' Annabelle doll was not in the hotel room where paranormal investigator Dan Rivera died earlier this week, according to a Pennsylvania coroner.
In a Friday, July 18, message to PEOPLE, Francis Dutrow, the Adams County coroner confirmed that the doll was not present when he arrived at the scene on Sunday, July 13, when authorities were notified about Rivera's death. Dutrow went on to note that the doll had not been in the hotel room at all.
Rivera, a lead investigator for the Connecticut-based New England Society for Psychic Research, was in Gettysburg. Pa., last weekend with Annabelle as part of the Devils on the Run tour when he died at the age of 54.
The Pennsylvania State Police shared a report on Wednesday, July 16, detailing what happened.
'Members from PSP Gettysburg responded to a hotel in Straban Township, Adams County for a report of a deceased [man]," officials said. "The decedent was discovered in his hotel room by workers.'
'Nothing unusual or suspicious was observed at the scene,' the agency added. His cause of death is pending.
Dutrow earlier told PEOPLE that Rivera had been with colleagues on Sunday morning but said he was feeling sick and was going back to his room.
It's unclear what Rivera may have been ill with and further information is pending his autopsy results, which are expected in about 8-10 weeks.
According to the New England Society for Psychic Research's website, Anabelle's origin goes back to 1968, when a student nurse was gifted the doll and brought it to the home where she lived with her roommate.
'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 wrote. 'The two roommates tried to accept the doll's spirit and please it only to have it reciprocate maliciousness and violent intent.'
The society added that its founders, paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, were called in and determined that Annabelle was 'demonically possessed.' They took the doll from the home and stored it in a glass box 'to contain the evil spirited entity.'
The story of Annabelle and the Warrens led to the development of the horror film franchise The Conjuring.
In a statement later shared with PEOPLE on Tuesday, July 15, the New England Society for Psychic Research, which first confirmed the death on social media, paid tribute to Rivera.
'Dan was not only a vital part of our team for over a decade, but also a deeply compassionate, loyal, and dedicated friend,' they wrote.
'His integrity, creativity, and generosity defined him. Dan's passion for the paranormal was rooted in a genuine desire to educate, help, and connect with others — whether through social media, conventions, or investigations with local families seeking understanding and peace,' the society continued.
Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
'We understand that Dan's work inspired fascination and curiosity for many, but above all, he was a father, devoted husband, and loyal friend, someone who meant the world to those closest to him,' the statement added.
According to a Facebook post by Ryan Buell, the host of A&E's Paranormal State, Rivera, who was an Army veteran, is survived by his wife and children.
Read the original article on People
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

I Asked Crime Experts When Home Break-Ins Usually Happen and the Answers Stunned Me
I Asked Crime Experts When Home Break-Ins Usually Happen and the Answers Stunned Me

CNET

time26 minutes ago

  • CNET

I Asked Crime Experts When Home Break-Ins Usually Happen and the Answers Stunned Me

Modern home security cameras and smart systems are well-equipped to watch over our homes -- I should know, I've spent years testing more models than I can count. The biggest advantage is that they can watch your home when you're not there, like on a summer vacation or asleep at night. But when is your home the most vulnerable? I took a look. It turns out that burglars tend to break into houses or look for vulnerabilities at a few specific times. Knowing when can help you stay safer and pick the most effective arming and disarming settings for your security system. I'm also quite surprised at some of the most common times and why burglars chose them -- here's what I learned. Read more: What Burglars Look for When Choosing Homes to Break Into 1. The middle of the day (especially early afternoon) Thieves have a lot to gain by acting in the middle of the day. Getty Images If you want to know when burglars try to break in to homes, it's a good idea to ask them. KGW8 out of Portland, Oregon, did just that, interviewing more than 80 (caught) burglars to find out how and when they struck. The answer? Most chose the middle of the day, the hours before or after noon: Homeowners are most likely to be gone at work in the day, thieves have great visibility when exploring a new yard or house, and it's easier to pretend to be a lost friend or family member if they get caught in broad daylight. Burglars commonly strike in the early afternoon -- one specifically said between "12:30pm and 2:30 p.m." People who go home for lunch or errands have most likely finished and are back to work during these hours, so there's a greater chance the home will be empty. Others KGW8 interviewed preferred the morning when there's also a guarantee people will be at work. That's similar to other studies that report burglaries are most likely to occur between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Curious about what burglars are after? Most hunt down cash, jewelry, medications and items that can easily sell for money -- notably guns and small electronics. Any signs that these items exist in a house may attract watchful thieves. They also reported that security systems and big dogs were big deterrents (although we don't suggest getting a dog for security purposes). 2. During the summer (between June and August) Burglars are caught trying to break in far more often in summer than winter. Arlo Burglaries are lowest at the height of winter, and highest during the hottest summer months. Since burglary is often a crime of opportunity and requires quickly casing residential neighborhoods, it makes sense that thieves would prefer longer, warmer days. It's also a lot harder to break into homes if there's ice or snow everywhere. That's why research from places like Arizona State University shows that burglaries reach their height in August, and are generally on the rise between June and August when the weather is warmest. 3. At midnight Amazon's Blink Wired Floodlight cam in action. Blink We know, we just said that burglaries are most common during the warmest, brightest times of day. But not everything is so simple. Research from companies like Vivint has shown that burglaries also spike around midnight, with data showing around 6% of burglaries occurring at 12 a.m. This is an interesting spike because late evening and early morning hours are the least likely times for burglaries. There's just something about midnight that makes some burglars think it's a good time to strike. They may also believe that homeowners are asleep at this time, or that it's easier to hide in the dark. Read more: The Best Tips to Prevent Burglars and Break-Ins With this info now in your brain, you're ready to make great decisions about when to arm your security system or when to make sure your smart lights and security camera floodlights are ready to work. It's also a good idea to make sure your smart locks are locked during these times because -- you guessed it -- most burglars start by simply trying the front door. To become a master of your home security, check out our guide on the best places to put security cameras, common home security myths you should stop believing, and what to do if someone you're living with is the one stealing.

Lawmakers Want More Security as Threats and Attacks Mount
Lawmakers Want More Security as Threats and Attacks Mount

Wall Street Journal

time27 minutes ago

  • Wall Street Journal

Lawmakers Want More Security as Threats and Attacks Mount

Eight miles from where Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz lives in Florida, local authorities arrested a felon last year who was allegedly shooting an illicit gun as part of target practice in his yard. After a search inside the man's dwelling, police said they found several firearms, body armor, silencers and ammunition, as well as a target list with synagogues and the Jewish lawmaker's name written on it, according to a case document filed on behalf of the government. The man, Moskowitz said, was a 'ghost'—he had never posted on social media and wasn't on the radar of the U.S. Capitol Police, which keeps tabs on threats.

Georgia Bulldogs OL arrested, faces felony charges
Georgia Bulldogs OL arrested, faces felony charges

Yahoo

time33 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Georgia Bulldogs OL arrested, faces felony charges

Georgia Bulldogs sophomore offensive lineman Jahzare Jackson was arrested on July 16 on four separate charges. Jackson was booked in Clarke County Jail at 11:50 p.m. ET and was released at 4:17 a.m. on July 17 after spending approximately 4 and 1/2 hours. Jackson faces three drug-related charges including possession of marijuana over one ounce, possession and use of drug-related objects, and possession of marijuana less than one ounce. Jackson was released from Clarke County Jail after posting a bond of $5,030. The vast majority of Jackson's bond ($5,000) is due to possession of marijuana over one ounce, which is a felony. Jackson was initially pulled over in his 2017 Tesla for holding a cell phone while driving (a misdemeanor in Georgia). The 6-foot-10, 350-pound offensive lineman is known for playing three years of basketball with Overtime Elite before coming to Georgia. He appeared in all 14 games last season for Georgia in primarily a special teams role. Jackson was named to the SEC's first-year academic honor roll. The University of Georgia did not comment following Jackson's arrest. Jackson's arrest came the night after coach Kirby Smart addressed the media at the 2025 SEC media days event. Jackson will likely face a suspension and possibly more consequences as his future with the team is murkier now. Follow UGAWire on Instagram or Threads! This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Georgia football OL Jahzare Jackson arrested on felony drup charges

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store