Latest news with #SoldiersNationalOrphanage
NDTV
2 days ago
- NDTV
"Demonic" Annabelle Doll Missing From Hotel Room Where Paranormal Investigator Found Dead: Report
The Annabelle doll, a supposedly haunted relic, was found missing from paranormal investigator Dan Rivera's hotel room after his death in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, People reported. The 54-year-old was found dead in his hotel room on July 13 after leading a sold-out ghost tour called "Devils on the Run" at the Soldiers National Orphanage, which featured the Annabelle doll. The cause of death remains unknown, with autopsy results expected in eight to ten weeks. However, the authorities confirmed that Rivera's death didn't appear suspicious, and he was found alone in his hotel room. Adams County Coroner Francis Dutrow told People Friday that the doll wasn't in the room when first responders found Rivera. Here's what we know about the Annabelle doll The Annabelle doll is believed to be haunted and has been linked to a series of paranormal activities since the 1970s. According to the New England Society for Psychic Research's website, the doll was gifted to a student nurse. She brought it home, where she lived with her roommate in 1968. "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 organisation wrote. "The two roommates tried to accept the doll's spirit and please it only to have it reciprocate maliciousness and violent intent." Ed and Lorraine Warren, renowned paranormal investigators, claimed the doll was "demonically possessed". The doll also inspired the horror film franchise The Conjuring. What are the conspiracy theories? Conspiracy theorists have linked Rivera's death to the Annabelle doll, despite police statements that nothing unusual or suspicious was found at the scene. Some fans and followers are also speculating about the doll's curse, while others are paying tribute to Rivera's work and legacy. In a report shared on July 16, the Pennsylvania State Police said, "Members from PSP Gettysburg responded to a hotel in Straban Township, Adams County for a report of a deceased [man]." "The decedent was discovered in his hotel room by workers. Nothing unusual or suspicious was observed at the scene." Despite Rivera's death, the New England Society for Psychic Research plans to continue their supernatural tour, honouring Rivera's memory.
Mint
3 days ago
- Mint
What happened to 'Annabelle' doll after investigator Dan Rivera dies mysteriously in hotel room? Truth might spook you
Dan Rivera, a 54-year-old paranormal investigator and US Army veteran, was found dead in his Gettysburg, Pennsylvania hotel room this week. His death occurred just hours after he completed a sold-out performance of the 'Devils on the Run Tour' at the Soldiers National Orphanage, an event that featured the reportedly cursed Annabelle doll, New York Post reported. When first responders arrived Sunday night, they discovered Rivera's body but noted that the infamous doll was not in the room, according to Adams County Coroner Francis Dutrow, who spoke to People on Friday. The cause of Rivera's death remains uncertain, with autopsy results still awaited to be released. Rivera gained recognition as a paranormal investigator on the Travel Channel's 'Most Haunted Places' and worked as a producer on several other programs, including Netflix's '28 Days Haunted". As part of his tour, Rivera travelled across the United States alongside members of the New England Society for Psychic Research, an organisation established in 1952 by renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, to showcase the Raggedy Ann Doll figure. In 1970, the Annabelle doll became linked to a series of alleged hauntings after being given to Donna, a nursing student in Connecticut. Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren stated that the doll moved its arms on its own, followed individuals around the apartment, and exhibited other terrifying and hostile behaviours. The Warrens, whose experiences inspired the 'The Conjuring' horror film franchise, also asserted that Annabelle was demonically possessed. They claimed the doll once stabbed a police officer and caused a car accident involving a priest before being placed in their museum in Connecticut. A psychic medium involved in the case believed the doll was inhabited by the spirit of a deceased six-year-old girl named Annabelle. Since then, conspiracy theorists have connected Rivera's unexpected death to the supposedly haunted artifact, even though state police confirmed on Wednesday that there was 'nothing unusual or suspicious' discovered at the scene. Despite the sudden loss of their lead investigator, the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) announced plans to carry on with their supernatural tour. According to tour organisers, '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 and Lorraine Warren. We will carry his spirit in everything we do."
New York Post
3 days ago
- New York Post
Demonic ‘Annabelle' doll absent from hotel room where paranormal investigator Dan Rivera is found dead
The infamous Annabelle doll wasn't in the room — but death was. Paranormal investigator Dan Rivera, 54, was found dead in his Gettysburg hotel room this week, just hours after finishing a sold-out 'Devils on the Run Tour' at the Soldiers National Orphanage, which featured the allegedly cursed Annabelle doll, People reported. The creepy plaything wasn't in the room though when first responders arrived and found the US Army veteran dead later that night, Adams County Coroner Francis Dutrow told the outlet. Advertisement 4 Paranormal investigator Dan Rivera with Annabelle doll. @dan_rivera_nespr / Instagram Rivera's cause of death remains unknown, with autopsy results still pending. 4 Annabelle doll in a glass case with a warning sign. Matthew McDermott Advertisement He had been featured as a paranormal investigator on the Travel Channel's 'Most Haunted Places' and served as producer for a number of other shows, including Netflix's '28 Days Haunted.' Part of Rivera's tour included traveling around the US with other members of the New England Society for Psychic Research — founded in 1952 by famous paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren — to show off the Raggedy Ann Doll figure. 4 Rivera died suddenly on Sunday night in Pennsylvania. Dan Rivera / Facebook The Annabelle doll has been tied to a series of supposed hauntings in 1970 after it was given to a Connecticut nursing student named Donna. The Warrens claimed the toy physically lifted its own arms, followed people around the apartment, and would display other frightening and malicious behavior. Advertisement The couple, whose story inspired 'The Conjuring' horror movie series, also claimed Annabelle was demonically possessed and had stabbed a police officer and caused a car crash involving a priest, later moving it to their museum in Connecticut. A psychic medium believed the doll was inhabited by the spirit of a dead 6-year-old named Annabelle. 4 Rivera holding the allegedly cursed Annabelle doll. Dan Rivera / Facebook Conspiracy theorists have since linked Rivera's sudden demise to the allegedly haunted relic, despite state police confirming Wednesday that 'nothing unusual or suspicious' was found at the grim scene. Advertisement NESPR said it plans to continue its supernatural tour following the sudden loss of their chief investigator. '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 and Lorraine Warren,' tour organizers said in a statement. 'We will carry his spirit in everything we do.'
Mint
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
‘Haunted' Annabelle doll tour handler Dan Rivera dies suddenly; netizens say 'This was bound to happen'
Dan Rivera, a well-known paranormal investigator from Connecticut and handler of the infamous Annabelle doll, died suddenly on June 13 while on tour in Gettysburg, the New England Society for Psychic Research confirmed. Rivera was a familiar face from the popular 'Devils on the Run Tour,' during which he and other members of the society travelled across the United States with the supposedly haunted doll, Annabelle. Emergency services, including firefighters and paramedics, were called to a hotel in Gettysburg on Sunday night after receiving a report that a man was receiving CPR. The Annabelle tour in Gettysburg was organised in partnership with Ghostly Images of Gettysburg Tours at the Soldiers National Orphanage. Organisers said the event was completely sold out, with over 1,260 tickets sold across the three-day weekend. The tour wrapped up on Sunday afternoon. Rivera played a key role in bringing international attention to the tour. Alongside fellow paranormal investigator Ryan Daniel Buell, Rivera created several viral TikTok videos featuring the doll, attracting millions of views. The tour had drawn widespread attention recently, with some locations reacting strongly to the doll's spooky reputation and backstory. After news of Rivera's passing broke on Monday night, tributes poured in from the paranormal community. He was remembered as a devoted husband, father, friend, and passionate paranormal researcher. Many on social media reacted with disbelief and unease. One user said, 'I've been next to that doll. It's not that creepy.' Another added, 'Believe what you want, but she's not to be messed with😳 My friend went to see her…weird stuff happened.' A third wrote, 'That's not good he was next in line to watch over the museum,' while another said, 'My husband wants to go see this doll. It's only a few hours away from us. I said absolutely NOT!!' Another wrote: 'This was bound to happen.'
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Dan Rivera, paranormal investigator behind Annabelle Doll Tour, dies suddenly during Gettysburg stop
Dan Rivera, lead investigator for the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) and handler of the infamous Annabelle doll, died unexpectedly on July 13 while on the "Devils on the Run" haunted tour in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He was 54. His death was confirmed by NESPR, although the exact cause remains unknown. Rivera was in Gettysburg, a historic town often cited as one of the most haunted in the U.S., hosting sold-out events at the Soldiers National Orphanage through Ghostly Images of Gettysburg Tours. First responders were dispatched to his hotel late Sunday for a cardiac emergency matching Rivera's age, according to Adams County dispatch records. A U.S. Army veteran, Rivera was a prominent figure in the paranormal community. He joined NESPR in 2011, mentored by famed investigator Lorraine Warren before her passing in 2019. He helped maintain the Warrens' legacy through tours and media, often appearing on television shows like Most Haunted Places and producing content for Netflix's 28 Days Haunted. Annabelle, the doll Rivera toured with, became infamous in the 1970s and inspired The Conjuring horror franchise. Though skeptics dismiss its alleged supernatural ties, many remain superstitious. The traveling tour, launched in May 2025, drew both fascination and controversy. Social media users blamed the doll for a fire in Louisiana and a prison break in New Orleans—claims Rivera publicly refuted in viral TikTok videos. He also clarified that Annabelle had no connection to a temporary 911 alert outage in Pennsylvania. Rivera, known for his charisma and dedication, used spiritually symbolic protections for the doll, including a hand-built case infused with holy water and marked with crosses. At the Gettysburg event, he reminded attendees of guidance he'd learned from Lorraine Warren, urging them to visualize a "halo of white light" for protection. Tributes poured in following his death. Fellow NESPR investigator Chris Gilloren praised Rivera's passion for educating the public about the paranormal. Paranormal researcher Mary Jo Chudley called him 'a true legend' and 'one of the kindest and funniest guys.' His close colleague Ryan Daniel Buell described Rivera as deeply devoted to continuing the Warrens' mission. Rivera's own words in a 2020 tribute to Lorraine Warren now resonate more deeply: 'When you look back at all the pieces you gave away, those pieces will always be remembered... I will never die. My journey has only begun.'
