Latest news with #GhostCityTours
Metro
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Haunted doll's handler says it's not responsible for disasters while on tour
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A cursed doll rumored to have gone missing while touring the US with a traveling exhibit is being blamed for local disasters including a fire and a jailbreak. The 'Annabelle' doll, which some believe is demon-possessed and was featured in The Conjuring horror films, is on a paranormal tour along with other items belonging to her ghost hunter owners. Word on the street in mid-May was that Anabelle vanished while stopping at the Ghost City Tours office in New Orleans. It happened to be the same week that a fire tore through a nearby plantation and 10 prisoners escaped from a jail. But Tony Spera, the owner of the Warren Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut, said that Annabelle is 'safely back' there locked in her display case. 'You know, it's easy for rumors to start. The fact of the matter is, that doll was never out of our sight, never out of our control,' Spera told NBC News this week. 'It's in a protective case that many precautions were taken to make it safe.' Paranormal investigator Ryan Buell sought to further quell rumors by posting a video on Facebook on May 24 of himself at the museum. 'She's not in Chicago, she never was in Chicago, and she's not missing because she's right behind me,' said Buell, while pointing the camera towards him with the doll sitting in the case over his shoulder. Still, social media users and conspiracy theorists have been skeptical about those accounts of Annabelle's whereabouts. A blaze destroyed the Nottoway Plantation House between Baton Rouge and New Orleans on May 15, and the very next day, inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center. Annabelle was touring in New Orleans on May 13 and 14, and among the precautions that were taken were having a Catholic priest alongside the doll. Some people are 'absolutely convinced' that Ghost City Tours is at fault for the fire and jailbreak, said its founder Tim Nealon. One Facebook user asked why Annabelle wasn't left at the Connecticut museum and wrote on Ghost City Tours' page: 'Did it cross your mind maybe she was there for a reason. Some things are better left alone.' 'I did not think people were taking it seriously, I kept seeing jokes about it on Instagram and TikTok,' Nealon told USA Today. 'But, I didn't realize people were out here like, actually thinking that this was legit.' More Trending Spera said he doesn't blame people for being skeptical. 'If people don't know about the demonic, it's very difficult to believe that these thing are happening,' he said. 'But they do happen.' Annabelle has been on sold-out tours across the US – and Buell said that plans are underway for her to be at the Rock Island Roadhouse Esoteric Expo in Illinois on October 4. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Family business '£10,000 out of pocket' after Meta blocks their accounts for 12 weeks MORE: British journalist Charlotte Peet who vanished in Brazil four months ago has been found MORE: FDA tomato recall elevated to highest level due to salmonella risk
New York Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Demonic ‘Annabelle' doll ‘safely back' in custody after claims it escaped, caused havoc in NOLA
The real-life 'Annabelle' doll was blamed for a string of alarming incidents by conspiracy theorists that claimed it escaped while on tour in New Orleans — but its owner confirmed it's safely back home and 'was never out of control.' The diabolical — and supposedly demonic — Raggedy Ann doll fictionalized in 'The Conjuring' movie series made a pit stop at Ghost City Tours office in the Big Easy in mid-May — the same week of a dating prison breakout and a devastating fire at a former plantation nearby. The timing led to speculation that the doll was behind the chaos. Advertisement 3 The 'Annabelle' doll is back in Connecticut after a brief tour. Matthew McDermott But she's 'safely back' behind lock and key at the Warren Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut, owner Tony Spera told The Post. 'The doll was taken on a brief tour to several locations to show the doll to enthusiasts of the paranormal,' Spera said. Advertisement 'The doll was never out of our control. We take extreme precautions when handling or transporting the doll.' The precautions, which included having a Catholic priest traveling with Annabelle, apparently weren't enough for some observers who believe the doll's stint in New Orleans on May 13 and 14 was a bad omen. An inferno destroyed the historic Nottoway Plantation House between Baton Rouge and New Orleans on May 15 and the next day 10 inmates escaped from the Orleans Justice Center. Most inmates have since been recaptured. 'I did not think people were taking it seriously, (because) I kept seeing jokes about it on Instagram and TikTok,' Ghost City Tours founder Tim Nealon told USA Today. Advertisement 'But, I didn't realize people were out here like, actually thinking that this was legit.' 3 Fire crews took on the fire at the Nottoway Plantation on Thursday, May 15. AP He said some people are 'absolutely convinced' Ghost City Tours is culpable in the prison break and fire. 'Why didn't you just leave her where she was at,' one person asked the Ghost City Tours on their Facebook page. 'Did it cross your mind maybe she was there for a reason. Some things are better left alone.' Advertisement 'You shouldn't have moved her,' another social media user chimed in. Late husband and wife Ed and Lorraine Warren, the famous paranormal investigators, owned Annabelle along with other haunted relics at the museum before their deaths. 3 The inmates escaped from the NOLA prison. Spera, the Warren's son-in-law, has carried on their work as leader of the New England Society for Psychic Research. He said in his email that one of his workers used blessed holy water and holy oil, which was mixed into the stain that was then applied to the wood case. Other religious fixtures, including crosses cut into each side of the case, were also affixed to the case for the tour. 'The doll is blessed by a Catholic priest, before moving it, while on tour and after it is returned to the museum,' Spera said. Advertisement 'On the tour, a Catholic priest, Father Bob, traveled with us the entire trip.' With Post wires
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Dark tourism expert reveals chilling details amid Annabelle doll's vanishing rumours, ‘We may be dealing with…'
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.'
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Was the Annabelle doll lost from her safe wooden case? Here's what we know
The spookiest, gut-churning doll, Annabelle, was rumoured to have been lost by the authorities after she was taken out for a tour around the USA, causing panic all over the internet. Well, the caretakers of the demonic doll gave an official statement that no such thing had happened, and the Americans were calm, while others had quite a laugh. Annabelle and her connection to Hollywood horror tales The Annabelle doll's first on-screen appearance was seen in James Wan's 2013 horror film 'The Conjuring.' In the movie, Ed and Lorraine Warren, the real-life paranormal investigators played by actors Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, briefly recount the story of a possessed doll, the famous red-haired rag doll, aka Annabelle. The doll is locked away in their Occult Museum, in a glass case with a sign - 'Warning: Positively Do Not Open.' And this short sequence was enough to intrigue the audience, further prompting filmmakers to delve deeper into her terrifying backstory, leading to Annabelle's own trilogy - Annabelle (2014), Annabelle: Creation (2017), Annabelle Comes Home (2019). What happened with Annabelle getting lost? Ghost City Tours teamed up with Annabelle's caretaker and decided to sell tickets, where they told the history of the doll and showed the haunting creature. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 모공각화증, 긁지 말고 이것 해보세요 현명한소비자 Undo Well, despite the tour being a massive success, the internet was quick to blame Annabelle for the escape of 10 prisoners from New Orleans Jail and a fire at Nottoway Plantation, even though the authorities ruled out any 'otherworldly' assistance. Later, the rumours of Annabelle going missing started surfacing on the internet after the locals in Louisiana were not able to see the doll. The netizens connected the dots, and the panic caused them to think Annabelle has been out of the box, and has started her paranormal activities. What were the comments? One user wrote on X, ' just saw a post on Facebook that they LOST THE ANNABELLE DOLL? I'm fleeing the country goodbye.' Another user commented, 'THEY LOST THE ANNABELLE DOLL?? LIKE?? THE HAUNTED ANNABELLE DOLL?? They take her on a tour around America...... AND THEN THEY LOOSE HER? BRAH?' A third mapped the entire facts and stated, 'May 13, 2025, Annabelle, one of the most haunted dolls from Monroe, Connecticut was moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. May 15th, the Nottoway Plantation burned down. May 16th, 11 inmates escaped the Orleans Parish Prison escape. The Warrens warned, Annabelle should never be moved.' Others had quite a laugh, 'hahahahahaha what a lucky day to be an indian,' one wrote. While another suggested, 'get her in the White House, theres a certain someone who she might like.' No! Annabelle is not lost! Well, there is no need to worry about the lost doll, Annabelle is not lost! In a TikTok video, New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) lead investigator Dan Rivera stated, "I'm here at the museum right now, and I just wanna show you guys that Annabelle is in the Warrens' Occult Museum. Annabelle is not missing; she's not in Chicago,' showing that the doll in safely tucked inside the wooden box. Additionally, NESPR wrote on their Facebook page, 'It's a rumour... Annabelle has NOT been stolen. The doll is safely in place at the Warren Occult Museum." Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Indianapolis Star
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
Is the haunted doll Annabelle to blame for a plantation fire? The internet says yes
Is a demonic doll touring the U.S. to blame for the mishaps in Louisiana? That's what the internet is saying, which has led to a ghost tour company receiving multiple death threats. Ghost City Tours hosted and sold tickets to the public to see Annabelle, the haunted Raggedy Ann doll that inspired the movie "Annabelle," which is a part of the "Conjuring" universe. "It was nice to have our own weird event," said Tim Nealon, the founder, president and former CEO of Ghost City Tours. However, despite the success of the sold-out event, the internet began to blame the escape of 10 inmates from a New Orleans jail and a fire that destroyed the Nottoway Plantation on Annabelle's visit. Ghost City Tours teamed up with "Annabelle's Caretakers," an extension of the now-closed Warren Occult Museum, while they were touring the U.S. with the allegedly haunted doll. The doll was originally on display at the Warrens' Occult Museum, which permanently closed to the public in 2019 after Lorraine Warren, one of the original owners, died, according to Atlas Obscura. Annabelle's tour stopped in several states and cities, including the Ghost City Tours office in New Orleans from May 13 to May 14, where fans of the paranormal were able to visit Annabelle and learn more about her origin story. The event sold out immediately. "It was literally sold out within seconds," said Nealon. "I mean, I felt like it was some big-name concert." While some people took to social media to joke about the coincidence of Annabelle's visit, others didn't think it was a joke at all. "I did not think people were taking it seriously, (because) I kept seeing jokes about it on Instagram and TikTok," said Nealon. "But, I didn't realize people were out here like, actually thinking that this was legit." Some people online are "absolutely convinced that Ghost City Tour is responsible" for the plantation fire and the inmates' escape, according to Nealon. People are even sending them death threats. "I could never imagine sending anybody a death threat at all, let alone over a (expletive) haunted doll," said Nelon. Annabelle visited San Antonio, Texas, where the doll was displayed at the annual San Antonio Psychic & Spirit Fest from May 17-18. In 1970, a mom gave her daughter, Donna, a 28-year-old nursing student, the now-infamous doll, according to the New England Society for Psychic Research, NESPR. She'd purchased Annabelle from a hobby store. Donna and her roommate, Angie, noticed weird paranormal activity happening around the apartment, which began to escalate. Legend has it that the paranormal activity only became worse. The doll was thought to be inhabited by the spirit of a young girl, but Donna soon believed it was actually possessed by something "demonic and inhuman." The doll was later handed over to Ed and Lorraine Warren, a couple famous for collecting paranormal objects and artifacts.
