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India.com
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet Annabelle: From Raggedy Doll To Killer Curse - Terrifying Origins, Hollywood Rise, And Truth About Her Whereabouts Today
photoDetails english 2937744 Updated:Jul 27, 2025, 06:21 PM IST The Real Face Behind the Fear 1 / 16 Long before she became a centerpiece in the 'Conjuring' universe, Annabelle was an ordinary-looking Raggedy Ann doll. But behind those stitched eyes, a sinister legend brewed. The real-life story begins in the 1970s, when a nursing student named Donna received the doll as a gift from her mother. At first, she was a harmless presence. But it didn't stay that way for long. Innocent Doll, Sinister Behavior 2 / 16 Within weeks, Donna and her roommate began noticing strange movements, Annabelle would shift positions on the couch, sometimes appearing in different rooms altogether. Notes with eerie messages like 'Help us' were found written on parchment paper, something not even present in the apartment. Things escalated quickly. One of their friends claimed the doll had scratched him violently. Donna finally sought help. Enter Ed and Lorraine Warren 3 / 16 Desperate, the girls contacted Ed and Lorraine Warren, famed demonologists who investigated hundreds of paranormal cases. According to them, the doll wasn't possessed by a ghost, but manipulated by a demonic spirit pretending to be a young girl named Annabelle Higgins. The Warrens took the doll with them, believing it to be extremely dangerous. A New Home: The Occult Museum 4 / 16 Annabelle was placed in a specially blessed glass case at the Warrens' Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut. A sign that reads 'Warning: Positively Do Not Open' still rests beneath her. The doll, now sealed with prayers and protections, was said to cause near-fatal accidents for those who mocked or touched her case. The Chilling Motorcycle Incident 5 / 16 One of the most bone-chilling incidents involved a visitor who taunted Annabelle, banging on the glass and laughing. On his way home, he crashed his motorcycle and died instantly. His girlfriend, who survived, confirmed he was joking about the doll moments before the accident. Coincidence? Or proof that Annabelle punishes the curious? Hollywood Comes Knocking 6 / 16 Annabelle's story first came to big screens in The Conjuring (2013), where the doll appeared in the opening scene. Though her real-life appearance is less dramatic, Hollywood redesigned her to be porcelain and grotesque for visual impact. The public fascination grew, prompting a spin-off franchise: Annabelle (2014), Annabelle: Creation (2017), and Annabelle Comes Home (2019). The Doll Becomes a Horror Icon 7 / 16 Annabelle quickly became more than just a creepy artifact, she turned into a horror icon. Her story added depth and a lingering sense of real-world dread to the fictional Conjuring Universe. Unlike many horror villains, Annabelle's lore is rooted in documented paranormal investigation, making her all the more unsettling. Skepticism vs Belief 8 / 16 While many believe in Annabelle's dark powers, skeptics argue she's just a doll with a well-marketed mythos. The Warrens' accounts have been criticised by some paranormal researchers as embellished. However, thousands of believers visit the museum annually, convinced there's truth behind the terror. The Chilling Collapse of the Latest Tour 9 / 16 Recently, veteran paranormal investigator Dan Rivera, affiliated with the Warren Legacy Foundation and NESPR, died suddenly at 54 after presenting the Annabelle doll on the 'Devils on the Run' tour in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Notably, the coroner confirmed that the doll was nowhere to be found in Rivera's hotel room at the time of his death. While authorities ruled the death as natural with no foul play suspected, the doll's disappearance has reignited widespread speculation. Despite the tragedy, the tour is set to continue in Rivera's memory. The Viral Disappearance Scare 10 / 16 In August 2020, rumors swirled that Annabelle had mysteriously gone missing from her glass case. Panic flooded social media. Had she escaped? Was it another cursed incident? The truth, however, was less thrilling, museum staff later confirmed the doll had not moved. The misunderstanding stemmed from a mistranslation of a viral Chinese article about Annabelle's film career. Is She Still Dangerous? 11 / 16 Despite being contained, many spiritual experts believe Annabelle still harbors a malevolent presence. The current caretakers of the Warren estate regularly bless her and the room she's housed in. Her case has never been opened since the Warrens' passing. Visitors are advised not to make eye contact for too long. Despite rumours, officials say she is safely kept in her case. What Experts Say Today 12 / 16 Modern paranormal investigators, including those who've trained under the Warrens, still warn against underestimating cursed objects. Whether Annabelle is truly dangerous or just an urban legend, she serves as a reminder that some mysteries may never be fully explained. The Line Between Fiction and Reality 13 / 16 Annabelle's journey, from a gift-shop doll to a global horror icon—blurs the line between superstition and storytelling. While the films dramatise her tale, her real-life legacy continues to haunt those intrigued by the unknown. Should You Fear Annabelle? 14 / 16 Whether or not you believe in the supernatural, Annabelle's story taps into a deep-rooted fear: that something familiar, even innocent, can harbor unimaginable evil. She's not just a doll, she's a warning. And maybe that's the scariest part of all. 15 / 16 Annabelle isn't just a creepy doll from the movies—she's based on a real object investigated by famed demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren. From bizarre hauntings to fatal accidents, her story spans decades of chilling incidents. Even today, her legacy continues to terrify believers and skeptics alike. Real horror story 16 / 16 (Image credit: Warner Bros, IMDb, Reddit, The Warrens' Occult Museum) (This article is intended for your general information only. Zee News does not vouch for its accuracy or reliability.)
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Italian city mixes nightlife with culture and makes for the perfect girls' mini-break
CRACKING nightlife and great culture, too – this Italian city makes for the perfect girls' mini-break, says Senior Writer Donna Smiley. Cycling along the 15km seafront promenade, my friends and I all turn our heads at the same time to take in the view of the bronzed men playing volleyball on the beach. 5 Italian city Rimini is adored for its sandy beaches, arts and vibrant culture 5 Donna found Rimini to be the perfect city for a girls' mini-break It's 8pm on a Friday in The sun is still shining and the seafront is packed with people of all ages and from all walks of life, while bodyboarders catch the last waves. After locking up our bikes, we head to the pier for one of It's buzzing, and while the outside bar pumps out loud house music to a younger crowd, I feast on delicious amberjack tortellini on asparagus cream, with a tomato confit and toasted almond flakes, £15, paired with a bottle of white Sartori Lugana wine, £19, in the elegant but relaxed interior ( On the way back to our hotel, the i-Suite, we stop for a nightcap at Barrumba, a pizza restaurant and live-music venue next door. At 1am, it's heaving and blasting out dance anthems – no one is in any rush for the night to end ( Revellers are relaxing in i-Suite's 24-hour pool, too, and we're tempted to join them – but for our early start to explore the city in a few hours' time. B&B for three people costs from £83 per person ( Most read in City breaks PIAZZA THE ACTION I'm in need of coffee and sugar come sunrise, and the friendly hotel waiter brings me a smooth cappuccino within minutes. 7 TOURIST DESTINATIONS - EVERGREEN LISTICLE We hire bikes for the day, £16 per person, and head to the historic old town, a 15-minute cycle away ( It's charming, with cobbled streets, ancient Roman landmarks, stunning medieval monuments and lively piazzas. Our first stop is the atmospheric Fellini Museum, which is dedicated to Italian film director and screenwriter Museum entry costs £8.50 ( Next, we head to Nud e Crud for a piada. It's the I opt for the PidGreek with grilled chicken, salad and tzatziki, £8.50 – so tasty I could easily eat another – and sip a very reasonably priced Aperol Spritz, £5 ( That evening, we take a short train, £3, to Cesenatico – a small and pretty town in the heart of the Riviera Romagnola – to enjoy seafood at Osteria Bartolini, a cute trattoria with alfresco tables overlooking the canal. 5 You'll be happy as a clam at Osteria Bartolini We share a bottle of crisp Pignoletto Frizzante, £19.50, baby cuttlefish with artichokes, £18, potato and cod croquettes, £14, and boneless and fried sardines with aromatic tomato, £14 – all of which are fresh and tasty ( We skip dessert and head back to cute Gelateria Pellicano, behind our hotel, for creamy salted caramel gelato, £3.50 ( The next day, we wander through the lush greenery of Parco Cervi, which takes us from the beach through grand giant arch Arco di Augusto, where shops are brimming with designer and high-street fashion, art galleries and souvenirs, such as leather goods, ceramics and local wine. I can't resist picking up some delicious olive oil. TIRAMIS-SO GOOD! We decide to spend the afternoon sunbathing at the most popular free beach, Marina Centro at Piazzale Boscovich in the harbour area, before heading back to our hotel to change for a cycle over to dinner at The Grand Hotel Rimini. This five-star hotel has always been considered the symbol of 'la dolce vita' on the 5 Rock Island is a perfect place to watch the sunset with a glass of wine It has hosted many celebrities in its time, including Princess Diana and actress Sharon Stone. Its ancient ballrooms are the beautiful setting for the (aptly titled) La Dolce Vita gourmet restaurant, where prices are surprisingly reasonable. The traditional risotto with carnaroli rice and grape and golden apple sauce, £19, is light and flavoursome, and for dessert, we all agree the tiramisu, £10.50, is to die for ( On another night, we treat ourselves to dinner at San Marino's fanciest restaurant, La Terrazza, which has breathtaking panoramic views. I start with the cheese and cold cuts selection with local mustards and honey from San Marino, £14 – the best I've ever had – before digging into handmade tagliolini pasta served with julienned crispy serrano ham and black truffle, £14, which also tastes amazing. A bottle of sparkling Pievalta Perlugo, £21.50, goes down rather nicely, too ( We head back to Rimini train station on our last day to catch a bus to San Marino – the world's smallest republic state – located on a mountain top. After the 50-minute journey, £5, we hop on a cable car to the top of Monte Titano and walk among picturesque townhouses and cobbled streets, where three old castles and towers are linked by strong walls and fortifications. Wandering along the Passo delle Streghe, a fortified pathway between two of the towers, we learn its name means 'steps of the witches'. Ancient legend has it that witches could sometimes be seen dancing on the rocks of Monte Titano at night! Read more on the Irish Sun Whether that's true or not, Rimini has proved to be one magical mini-break. 5 Experience the magic of Passo delle Streghe Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Italian city mixes nightlife with culture and makes for the perfect girls' mini-break
LA DOLCE VITA Italian city mixes nightlife with culture and makes for the perfect girls' mini-break Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CRACKING nightlife and great culture, too – this Italian city makes for the perfect girls' mini-break, says Senior Writer Donna Smiley. Cycling along the 15km seafront promenade, my friends and I all turn our heads at the same time to take in the view of the bronzed men playing volleyball on the beach. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Italian city Rimini is adored for its sandy beaches, arts and vibrant culture 5 Donna found Rimini to be the perfect city for a girls' mini-break It's 8pm on a Friday in Rimini – a small resort city on Italy's northern Adriatic coast that the Italians adore for its sandy beaches, arts and vibrant culture. The sun is still shining and the seafront is packed with people of all ages and from all walks of life, while bodyboarders catch the last waves. After locking up our bikes, we head to the pier for one of Rimini's most popular beachfront restaurants, Rock Island – a perfect place to watch the sunset with a glass of wine. It's buzzing, and while the outside bar pumps out loud house music to a younger crowd, I feast on delicious amberjack tortellini on asparagus cream, with a tomato confit and toasted almond flakes, £15, paired with a bottle of white Sartori Lugana wine, £19, in the elegant but relaxed interior ( On the way back to our hotel, the i-Suite, we stop for a nightcap at Barrumba, a pizza restaurant and live-music venue next door. At 1am, it's heaving and blasting out dance anthems – no one is in any rush for the night to end ( Revellers are relaxing in i-Suite's 24-hour pool, too, and we're tempted to join them – but for our early start to explore the city in a few hours' time. B&B for three people costs from £83 per person ( PIAZZA THE ACTION I'm in need of coffee and sugar come sunrise, and the friendly hotel waiter brings me a smooth cappuccino within minutes. 7 TOURIST DESTINATIONS - EVERGREEN LISTICLE We hire bikes for the day, £16 per person, and head to the historic old town, a 15-minute cycle away ( It's charming, with cobbled streets, ancient Roman landmarks, stunning medieval monuments and lively piazzas. Our first stop is the atmospheric Fellini Museum, which is dedicated to Italian film director and screenwriter Federico Fellini, who was recognised as one of the most influential ever in his field – he was even awarded the Honorary Oscar For Lifetime Achievement in 1993. Museum entry costs £8.50 ( Next, we head to Nud e Crud for a piada. It's the Emilia-Romagna region's traditional street food and is a cross between a pitta bread and a tortilla. I opt for the PidGreek with grilled chicken, salad and tzatziki, £8.50 – so tasty I could easily eat another – and sip a very reasonably priced Aperol Spritz, £5 ( That evening, we take a short train, £3, to Cesenatico – a small and pretty town in the heart of the Riviera Romagnola – to enjoy seafood at Osteria Bartolini, a cute trattoria with alfresco tables overlooking the canal. 5 You'll be happy as a clam at Osteria Bartolini We share a bottle of crisp Pignoletto Frizzante, £19.50, baby cuttlefish with artichokes, £18, potato and cod croquettes, £14, and boneless and fried sardines with aromatic tomato, £14 – all of which are fresh and tasty ( We skip dessert and head back to cute Gelateria Pellicano, behind our hotel, for creamy salted caramel gelato, £3.50 ( The next day, we wander through the lush greenery of Parco Cervi, which takes us from the beach through grand giant arch Arco di Augusto, where shops are brimming with designer and high-street fashion, art galleries and souvenirs, such as leather goods, ceramics and local wine. I can't resist picking up some delicious olive oil. TIRAMIS-SO GOOD! We decide to spend the afternoon sunbathing at the most popular free beach, Marina Centro at Piazzale Boscovich in the harbour area, before heading back to our hotel to change for a cycle over to dinner at The Grand Hotel Rimini. This five-star hotel has always been considered the symbol of 'la dolce vita' on the Adriatic Riviera and is a magnificent building with more than 100 years of history. 5 Rock Island is a perfect place to watch the sunset with a glass of wine It has hosted many celebrities in its time, including Princess Diana and actress Sharon Stone. Its ancient ballrooms are the beautiful setting for the (aptly titled) La Dolce Vita gourmet restaurant, where prices are surprisingly reasonable. The traditional risotto with carnaroli rice and grape and golden apple sauce, £19, is light and flavoursome, and for dessert, we all agree the tiramisu, £10.50, is to die for ( On another night, we treat ourselves to dinner at San Marino's fanciest restaurant, La Terrazza, which has breathtaking panoramic views. I start with the cheese and cold cuts selection with local mustards and honey from San Marino, £14 – the best I've ever had – before digging into handmade tagliolini pasta served with julienned crispy serrano ham and black truffle, £14, which also tastes amazing. A bottle of sparkling Pievalta Perlugo, £21.50, goes down rather nicely, too ( We head back to Rimini train station on our last day to catch a bus to San Marino – the world's smallest republic state – located on a mountain top. After the 50-minute journey, £5, we hop on a cable car to the top of Monte Titano and walk among picturesque townhouses and cobbled streets, where three old castles and towers are linked by strong walls and fortifications. Wandering along the Passo delle Streghe, a fortified pathway between two of the towers, we learn its name means 'steps of the witches'. Ancient legend has it that witches could sometimes be seen dancing on the rocks of Monte Titano at night! Whether that's true or not, Rimini has proved to be one magical mini-break. 5 Experience the magic of Passo delle Streghe Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
BBC News
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
More than 30,000 people set to join Trans Pride Brighton
More than 30,000 people are set to join a protest march and enjoy performances at a trans pride event in East Trans Pride Brighton (TPB) began in 2013, it was the first of its kind in the UK, and has seen the number of attendees double every three years, organisers began at 19 of the city's pubs on Friday, ahead of a protest march at midday on Saturday to be followed by dozens of performances on two stages in the city say they hope to inspire everyone to "help make a real difference" by celebrating trans lives and gender diversity. Donna, an organiser at TPB, said: "It's grown hugely, it's doubled in attendee numbers every three years which is a huge source of pride and responsibility."It's a lot to organise every year but I think we're doing really well."Everything is more-or-less in place, there's obviously last minute things, but we just get on with it and make sure it's a fabulous day for everybody."Donna explained that the event is run entirely by volunteers and relies on donations, instead of having main sponsors."It's a hugely enjoyable event as well as being hugely important, all the volunteers are very proud of that and it's really positive to see," she Pride Brighton says it provides "a great day where trans people, friends, allies and family can meet and have an amazing time in a fun and safe space".All information about Saturday's events, performers and the protest route, can be found on the organisation's website.
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'.
