What is the Annabelle doll and why does it terrify people? The story behind the ‘haunted' icon of horror
This week, the internet went into meltdown after rumours began circulating that the infamous 'Annabelle' doll — said to be haunted — had vanished. The panic kicked off after people linked the doll's supposed disappearance to a fire at the historic Nottoway Resort in Louisiana.
The doll was believed to have been part of a travelling paranormal exhibit at the time.
Social media was quickly flooded with memes, conspiracy theories, and horror-filled speculation. But it didn't take long for those rumours to be shut down.
Officials connected to the now-closed Warren Occult Museum in Connecticut — where the real Annabelle doll has been kept since the 1970s — confirmed that the doll is safe and hasn't gone anywhere.
Annabelle isn't your average childhood toy. The original is a Raggedy Ann doll that was given to a student nurse in 1970. According to paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, the doll started acting strangely, which led them to believe it was possessed. A psychic told the owners it was the spirit of a girl named Annabelle — but the Warrens later said it was something far more sinister.
Eventually, the Warrens took the doll and locked it in a glass case inside their Occult Museum. It stayed there until the museum was shut down due to zoning issues.
Annabelle became world-famous after being featured in The Conjuring film universe. In the movies, she's shown as a creepy porcelain doll, much scarier-looking than the real thing — a change made by filmmakers to increase the fear factor.
Still, the real Raggedy Ann version has kept its creepy reputation, especially among fans of the paranormal. Whether people believe the story or not, the doll has become a mix of folklore, horror movie icon, and internet obsession.
The scare this week seems to have started when news of the resort fire hit social media at the same time the Annabelle doll was said to be on tour. It didn't take long for people to connect the dots — or jump to conclusions. Theories about the doll escaping or causing chaos took over TikTok and X (formerly Twitter), with reactions ranging from jokes to actual prayers and even mock exorcisms.
Despite all the drama, the doll is right where it's supposed to be. Dan Rivera from the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) posted a video from inside the Warren Occult Museum, showing Annabelle safe inside her glass case.
'Some wild and crazy internet rumours this morning claiming that we lost Annabelle,' one user wrote alongside the video. 'She/it is NOT lost — and here's Dan Rivera from NESPR proving she's still at home in Connecticut… for now. And no, she's not in Chicago.'
Even though the story was debunked, it's clear that the legend of Annabelle is still very much alive — and it doesn't look like that fear is going anywhere anytime soon.
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'Haunted' Annabelle Doll Back In Custody After Claims It Went Missing: "Was Never Out Of Control"
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Hindustan Times
a day ago
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Amidst fears and speculations over Annabelle's US tour, one specialist in dark tourism has uncovered the eerie past of the 'demonically possessed' doll. Horror enthusiasts went into a frenzy last week following rumors that the haunting doll vanished during her ongoing '2025 Devils on the Run Tour.' Annabelle and other ghostly items have been on display for fans throughout the US during this tour. The renowned Raggedy Ann doll has appeared in several iconic horror films, including Annabelle and The Conjuring. Following her track record of evil behavior, many followers were terrified to learn that she had reportedly been lost during her transportation in New Orleans, Louisiana. Also Read: Elon Musk's viral 'hallucinating' video sparks buzz on social media; 'Somebody clocked him' Rumors circulated that Annabelle disappeared during a sold-out event held at the Ghost City Tours office in New Orleans from May 13 to May 14. Ten prisoners fled from the Orleans Justice Center, and a fire erupted at the Nottoway Plantation. The origin of the fire is still unknown. Many horror enthusiasts assumed Annabelle was responsible for this series of frightening incidents. Matthew Bartels, a content strategist for US Ghost Adventures and an expert in the dark tourism sector, discussed this strange coincidence with The Mirror US, saying: 'Her disappearance raises many questions about her true capabilities following the chaos that ensued as she visited New Orleans.' 'The Warrens warned the general public to never let her leave her case. Now that she has, we may be dealing with greater paranormal powers than we are prepared for,' Bartels added. Annabelle's caregivers have since refuted these speculations, but horror enthusiasts have recently developed a renewed interest in her past. While Robert the Doll is the most notorious haunted doll in the world, Annabelle ranked at second, as per the US Ghost Adventures website. According to reports by US Ghost Adventures, the main target of Annabelle's fury was Donna's friend Lou, who felt uncomfortable in its presence. 'Notes to Lou were left on scraps of parchment paper despite neither Donna nor Angie ever having any on hand. Things escalated when Annabelle physically assaulted Lou, scratching him across the chest as she tried to strangle him.'
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