Latest news with #Anabelle
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Annabelle tour will CONTINUE as planned after 'evil doll' expert Dan Rivera died of 'natural causes' at age 54
Upcoming events featuring the 'possessed' Anabelle doll will go on as planned, despite the sudden death of one of the tours leaders in Pennsylvania. Dan Rivera, 54, was in Gettysburg for the Devils on the Run Tour - a chilling cross-country event featuring the infamous doll - when he was found unresponsive at his hotel Sunday night. On Wednesday morning, authorities revealed that he died from 'natural causes' and that there was 'nothing unusual or suspicious observed at the scene,' according to Pennsylvania State Police. The New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), where Rivera served as a senior lead investigator, announced in a Tuesday evening press release that they will resume the tours previously scheduled events, believing it's what the veteran ghost hunter 'would have wanted.' 'We believe with all our hearts that Dan would have wanted the work to continue - bringing people together, sharing knowledge, and honoring the memory of Ed & Lorraine Warren,' the statement said, referring to the legendary paranormal investigators who kept Annabelle their private occult museum. 'We will carry his spirit in us in everything we do.' Rivera had built a loyal fanbase through his ghost-hunting work and viral content featuring the eerie legends of Annabelle and other cursed relics. His final stop - in Gettysburg, a Civil War town long said to be haunted - was completely sold out. On Sunday night, Rivera was alone in his hotel room by coworkers. The coroner was called to the scene shortly after first responders and later confirmed that Rivera's death was not considered suspicious. Results from the routine autopsy could take between 30 and 60 days to complete. Since news of his death spread, the internet has erupted into an international firestorm of speculation - with many pointing to the Annabelle doll, which Rivera frequently handled, as the cause of his sudden and unexplained passing. NESPR responded to the wave of controversy in their statement. 'We understand that Dan's work inspired fascination and curiosity for many,' it read. 'But above all, he was a father, devoted husband and loyal friend, someone who meant the world to those closest to him. Out of respect for his family, we kindly ask for privacy as they mourn this tremendous loss.' Jason Hawes, star of SyFy's 'Ghost Hunters,' also spoke out in a Facebook post, condemning those who placed blame on the Annabelle doll. 'What's even harder to see right now are the posts blaming his death on things like the Annabelle doll and attacking places like Ghostly Images of Gettysburg Tours and other locations for having events,' Hawes wrote. 'That needs to stop.' 'Let's focus on remembering Dan for who he was, not turning his death into some made up bulls*** story to get clicks or attention,' he added. 'Honor the man. Forget the garbage.' The Raggedy Anne Doll's paranormal legend dates back to the 1970s, when it was apparently given as a gift to nurse in Hartford, Connecticut, before beginning to exhibit disturbing behavior. Annabelle was thought to be possessed by the spirit of a dead child and was said to move on its own, leave terrifying handwritten notes and even allegedly attacked someone. Due to the popularity of the story and subsequent film franchise, the real Annabelle doll was removed from its secure case and included in the Devils on the Run tour, which began in May. Three more events are scheduled for the remainder of the year - one featuring Annabelle in September in Maine, another promising to 'redefine the paranormal experience' in October in Illinois, and a 'ScareFest Weekend' also in October in Kentucky.
Daily Record
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
The creepy history of the real Annabelle doll as handler Dan Rivera dies aged 54
The paranormal investigator was on tour with the 'possessed' doll that has a terrifying history. Paranormal investigator Dan Rivera died suddenly on July 13 while on tour with a 'possessed' doll that inspired horror movies The Conjuring and Annabelle. The New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) announced the US Army veteran's death on Facebook. The organisation said: "It's with deep sadness that Tony, Wade, and I share the sudden passing of our close friend and partner, Dan Rivera. 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. Thank you for your support and kind thoughts during this difficult time." The cause of the paranormal professional's death has not yet been revealed. His tour, named 'Devils On The Run', had gone viral due to its inclusion of the original Annabelle doll. But as the 54-year-old's tragic death makes headlines, questions are being raised on the true story of the 'haunted' doll that he was travelling with. Here is the true story of Annabelle. The haunted history of the real Annabelle doll The first owners of Annabelle While the Conjuring and Anabelle films featured a terrifying china doll, the inspiration for the horror movies was a Raggedy Ann doll- a popular children's toy from the 1970s that had been first released back in 1915. Before the doll was made famous by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, who feature in The Conjuring movie, Annabelle was owned by a student nurse named Donna in 1970, according to website Haunted Rooms. The story goes that the doll was bought by Donna's mother for her birthday from a second-hand shop. But the student quickly noticed that things weren't right with the Raggedy Ann doll, who appeared to move around the house of her own accord. When left on the bed, for example, she would be found later on the sofa or the floor, leading Donna and her roommate Angie to believe she was possessed. After a series of creepy notes that reportedly said 'help us', and 'help Lou', who was the girls' male friend, the doll was eventually found with what appeared to be real blood on her hands. The real 'spirit' of Annabelle After the terrifying turn of events, a medium sat down with Angie and Donna. The psychic told the girls that their building was constructed on a field where a seven-year-old girl had died years before. Allegedly, the girl's spirit was fond of the toy and her ghost merged with the Raggedy Ann, becoming the haunted Annabelle doll. Donna and Angie took pity on the girl and decided to keep the doll so she wouldn't be left alone. Annabelle's first 'attack' The girls' male friend Lou was the first to be 'attacked' by the haunted doll. He entered the room where Annabelle was left after hearing something moving around. The doll had moved from the bed to being sat upright on a chair in the centre of the room, and as Lou moved towards her, he felt a sharp pain across his chest. He soon realised that his chest was covered in claw marks, and he saw no other explanation other than he'd been attacked by the haunted toy. This was when the famous Warrens were called in. The Warrens A priest and the pair of renowned paranormal investigators exorcised Donna's flat, and they allegedly discovered that the doll had been trying to possess the student nurse. Ed and Lorraine took Annabelle away, though their car reportedly faced an array of problems on the road as they set out to lock up the possessed doll. Ed even suffered a severe car crash after provoking Annabelle, though he survived. The story says she was even seen levitating in the air in the Warrens' home. While they failed to rid the doll of the spirit, the ghost hunters managed to lock her in a glass case, where she was kept in the Warrens' Occult Museum in Connecticut until its closure. She is now on the Devils On The Run tour, but after Dan Rivera's death, it has not been announced whether the tour will continue. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Time Out
30-05-2025
- Time Out
12 best places to see hydrangeas in and around Tokyo
Looking for a weekend getaway to see hydrangeas in nature without leaving Tokyo proper? Check out the hydrangea festival at Wonderful Nature Village next to Tokyo Summerland, taking place from June 7 to July 6. Here you'll find a sea of white hydrangeas blooming on the slopes of a hill. This section of the sprawling park alone features over 15,000 hydrangeas and they are expected to hit peak bloom around late June. Aside from the white Anabelle hydrangea, the park also cultivates beautiful blue hydrangeas Kurohime and Ezohoshino that are indigenous to Japan. These varieties will likely reach peak bloom between mid- and late June. While you're there for these summer blooms, why not beat the heat with a refreshing splash at the nearby Tokyo Summerland? This super popular water park on the fringes of Tokyo boasts a large indoor pool for all weather conditions as well as a 650m-long outdoor pool with flowing water. (Note: advance tickets are required for Tokyo Summerland.) To get there, take the Keio line from Shinjuku to Keio Hachioji Station. From there, hop on a local bus and you'll reach Wonderful Nature Village in about 35 minutes. For more details, including other bus connections from Keio Hachioji and Akigawa stations, see the venue website (in Japanese only).
