Latest news with #DevilsOnTheRunTour
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dan Rivera, Paranormal Investigator, Dies Suddenly at 54
Originally appeared on E! Online A paranormal investigator's sudden death has sparked a new mystery. Dan Rivera—who was hosting a national tour of the original Annabelle doll, popularized in The Conjuring movie franchise—died suddenly following a stop with the New England Society of Psychic Research (NESPR) in Gettysburg, Pa. He was 54. "It's with deep sadness that Tony, Wade, and I share the sudden passing of our close friend and partner, Dan Rivera," NESPR lead investigator Chris "Jeek" Gilloren wrote on the group's Facebook page July 14. "We are heartbroken and still processing this loss." Gilloren went on to reflect on Rivera's legacy, sharing, "Dan truly believed in sharing his experiences and educating people on the paranormal. His kindness and passion touched everyone who knew him." He added, "Thank you for your support and kind thoughts during this difficult time." Rivera's cause of death wasn't shared. The Adams County Coroner listed it as "pending," according to records viewed by USA Today. Authorities were called to a local Gettysburg hotel on the evening of July 13 and responded to a report of a CPR in progress of a 54-year-old man, according to Adams County dispatch scanner archives obtained by the outlet. More from E! Online Kelly Ripa Reveals Husband Mark Consuelos' 'Repulsive' Sex Habit Emilie Kiser's Husband Brady Kiser Could Face Felony Child Abuse Charge Over Son Trigg's Death Christina Haack and Tarek El Moussa's HGTV Shows Cancelled One day prior, NESPR hosted a showing of the Annabelle doll, which inspired the chilling character in the Conjuring horror film franchise. The doll is normally kept at the Warrens' Occult Museum in Monroe, Conn., which was created by NESPR founders Ed Warren, a demonologist, and his wife Lorraine Warren, a trance medium (played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga in the movies). According to the organization's website, the haunting story behind Annabelle began in 1968, when a nursing student was given a Raggedy Ann doll as a gift. "She brings it home where she lives with a roommate," reads the NESPR website. "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 two roommates tried to accept the doll's spirit and please it only to have it reciprocate maliciousness and violent intent." At the time, the Warrens were called to investigate, determining that the doll was "demonically possessed." "They removed the doll from the house," the site states, "and encased it in a glass box to contain the evil spirited entity." NESPR's Devils On The Run Tour advertises a "chilling experience" with the doll that has "reportedly brought misfortune, injury, and even death to those who have interacted with it improperly." Rivera was involved in paranormal research and investigations for over a decade before his death, according to his bio on the NESPR website. "At an early age he was introduced to haunting phenomena," reads his bio, "having witnessed paranormal events occurring in his home." In addition to being a U.S. army veteran, the Connecticut native considered himself to be "an expert in the rites and rituals of Santeria." According to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, "Santería is a syncretic religion based significantly in the traditions of the Yoruba and incorporating elements of Catholicism. Today, roughly 70 percent of Cubans observe one or more Santeria or other religious practices based in an African tradition." For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
4 days ago
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Authorities Share New Details About Paranormal Investigator Found Dead After Touring 'Possessed' Annabelle Doll
NEED TO KNOW Dan Rivera, a paranormal investigator, died on July 13 during a tour in Pennsylvania, showcasing the "demonically possessed" Annabelle doll The Pennsylvania State Police said in a report released on July 16 that 'nothing unusual or suspicious was observed at the scene" concerning Rivera's death "Dan was not only a vital part of our team for over a decade, but also a deeply compassionate, loyal, and dedicated friend," the New England Society for Psychic Research said in a statement shared with PEOPLEAuthorities in Pennsylvania have offered new details about the paranormal investigator who died suddenly while on tour displaying a supposedly haunted Raggedy Ann doll named Annabelle. Dan Rivera, 54, a senior lead investigator for the Connecticut-based New England Society for Psychic Research, died on Sunday, July 13, during his visit to Gettysburg, as part of the Devils on the Run tour, the Evening Sun earlier reported. On Wednesday, July 16, the Pennsylvania State Police shared a report detailing what happened to Rivera on Sunday. '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. According to Adams County dispatch records, emergency crews responded to a Gettysburg hotel where CPR was administered on a male of Rivera's age, the paper reported. At the time, Rivera was on tour in Gettysburg to show Annabelle, which the New England Society for Psychic Research described as 'demonically possessed.' According to the society, the doll'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 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, the Evening Sun reported. The newspaper also noted that Rivera helped generate interest for the tour thanks to viral TikToks he co-produced that garnered millions of views. Rivera also served as consulting producer on the Netflix show 28 Days Haunted, according to IMDb. Rivera's death was previously confirmed by the New England Society for Psychic Research in a social media post. According to the society's website, Rivera worked on paranormal research and investigations for over 10 years, adding that he was born and raised in Bridgeport, Conn., and later served in the U.S. Army. 'At an early age he was introduced to haunting phenomena, having witnessed paranormal events occurring in his home,' his bio read, which also stated that he was an expert in the rites and rituals of Santeria.' The organization later shared a press release with PEOPLE on Tuesday, July 15, paying tribute to their late friend and colleague. 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. 'The New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) is devastated by his passing and is still coming to terms with this profound loss. Dan was not only a vital part of our team for over a decade, but also a deeply compassionate, loyal, and dedicated friend,' the statement read in part. '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 further added. '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. Out of respect for his family, we kindly ask for privacy as they mourn this tremendous loss,' they continued. The New England Society for Psychic Research added that it will continue its previously planned events for the remainder of this year, saying: '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. We will carry his spirit with us in everything we do.' The Gettysburg stop of the Devils on the Run tour was hosted by the tour group Ghostly Images of Gettysburg at the Soldiers National Orphanage, this past weekend, the Evening Sun reported, with final tour stops in September. (Tickets remain on sale.) Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
