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Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Matt Rife becomes 'guardian' of cursed Annabelle doll -weeks after mysterious death
The real Annabelle doll that inspired The Conjuring films has a famous new owner - just weeks after its previous handler died in mysterious circumstances US comedian Matt Rife has confirmed he is the new 'legal guardian' of the Annabelle doll that is said to be cursed and inspired The Conjuring movie franchise and its subsequent Annabelle spin-off films. The 29-year-old took to Instagram to share the news, after admitting he is "obsessed with the paranormal and all things haunted" and that The Conjuring films films are his "favourite scary movies of all time". It comes just weeks after the Annabelle doll's previous caretaker - paranormal investigator Dan Rivera - mysteriously died as he took it on tour round America. The 54-year-old was found dead in his hotel room in Pennsylvania on July 13. A post-mortem is yet to reveal his cause of death. Writing on social media, Matt shared a photo with the infamous Raggedy Ann doll, best known to modern horror fans by her more menacing fictionalised form in The Conjuring films. She is supposedly haunted by the spirit of a deceased six-year-old girl who others have claimed has the ability to move around - and even inflict "psychic slashes" on horrified house guests. For decades, the allegedly fearsome red-haired doll was owned by Ed and Lorraine Warren, the husband and wife duo famed for delving into some of the most chilling paranormal cases ever recorded, from the Amityville haunting to the Enfield poltergeist. It was kept in a glass case bearing the warning 'positively do not open', and from an early age young members of the Warren family were taught that Annabelle was not a toy. She is even said to have caused a car crash involving one of the family members. Ed and Lorraine are now deceased and their home and their Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut, was put up for sale. Matt has now bought both and will Annabelle's guardian for at least the next five years. Alongside the photo with the doll, he posted: "INSANE ANNOUNCEMENT. I have officially purchased Ed and Lorraine Warren's home and Occult Museum, including being the legal guardian for at least the next 5 years, of the entire haunted collection including THE ANNABELLE DOLL, with my good friend @eltoncastee!! "If you know me, you know I'm obsessed with the paranormal and all things haunted. You also may know The Conjuring films are my favourite scary movies of all time. So I'm incredibly honoured to have taken over one of the most prominent properties in paranormal history. "Ed and Lorain Warren arguably put demonology and paranormal into the mainstream and are the very heart of some of the most famous haunted stories of all time, The Conjuring House, Amityville Horror, etc…" Sharing his plans for the future - which may delight horror fans eager to meet the real Annabelle doll in person - he added: "We plan to open the house for overnight stays and museum tours so you yourself can experience and learn all the haunted history surrounding this amazing place." But some fans issued warnings to Annabelle's new owners, with one writing: "This isn't just a fun fascination guys, this is a literal spiritual agreement with darkness. Demons aren't collectibles. They don't care if you believe in them or not — the fact is, they're real, and they're dangerous." Another commented: "Oh boyyyy. Didn't someone just die for taking that Annabelle doll on tour or something???" A third chillingly said: "RIP buddy. It's been nice knowing ya." A fourth warned: "Be careful please!!" And a fifth added: "DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING!! PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING!!"
Metro
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
'Haunted' Annabelle doll gets new celebrity owner after handler dies
Comedian Matt Rife has revealed his 'super random' purchase of the museum that houses the 'haunted' Annabelle doll. The Raggedy Ann doll was obtained by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, in the 1970s after its original owner claimed it exhibited unsettling behaviour and was told by a psychic it had been possessed by a dead girl called Annabelle. Over the years was claimed to have caused a string of supernatural occurrences, featuring the 2013 film The Conjuring, going on to inspire the Annabelle horror film series – which includes the 2014 film Annabelle, followed by Annabelle: Creation (2017), and Annabelle Comes Home (2019). Over the past five decades, the original doll has been kept in the Warren's Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut. Last month the doll came to attention again following the sudden and mysterious death of its caretaker Dan Rivera. The well-known ghost hunter, 54, had been taking the doll around the US when he was found dead in his hotel. An autopsy is yet to confirm his cause of death, but police said 'nothing unusual or suspicious was observed at the scene.' A few weeks on Rife, 29, has now announced he's 'officially' purchased the Warren's house and museum alongside YouTube creator Elton Castee. 'INSANE ANNOUNCEMENT,' he began. 'I have officially purchased Ed and Lorraine Warren's home and Occult Museum, including being the legal guardian for at least the next 5 years, of the entire haunted collection including THE ANNABELLE DOLL, with my good friend @eltoncastee!! If you know me, you know I'm obsessed with the paranormal and all things haunted. You also may know The Conjuring films are my favourite scary movies of all time. So I'm incredibly honoured to have taken over one of the most prominent properties in paranormal history. Ed and Lorain Warren arguably put demonology and paranormal into the mainstream and are the very heart of some of the most famous haunted stories of all time, The Conjuring House, Amityville Horror, etc… 'We plan to open the house for overnight stays and museum tours so you yourself can experience and learn all the haunted history surrounding this amazing place.' In a TikTok Rife, best known for his self-produced comedy specials Only Fans, Matthew Steven Rife and Walking Red Flag, as well as Netflix specials Natural Selection and Lucid, added that: 'I know a lot of you guys don't know [what] any of this means whatsoever, but if you follow ghost stuff, this is about as big as it gets.' The New England Society for Psychic Research, which was founded by the Warrens, previously described it as 'demonically possessed'. Despite Rife's excitement, many people expressed concerns for him. 'It was nice knowing you!!!!!!' Jake commented on Instagram. 'DONT TOUCH ANYTHING!! PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DONT TOUCH ANYTHING!!' Heather urged. The original Annabelle doll is a Raggedy Ann-style cloth doll that became the subject of widespread attention due to its alleged involvement in paranormal events investigated by Ed and Lorraine Warren, prominent figures in American demonology and paranormal research. The events began in 1970, when a nursing student named Donna received the doll as a gift from her mother. Shortly after, Donna and her roommate Angie reported unusual activity involving the doll, including changes in its position and location within their apartment. They also discovered handwritten notes on parchment paper with disturbing messages such as 'Help me,' despite not having such paper in the apartment. Seeking an explanation, the women consulted a medium who claimed that the doll was inhabited by the spirit of a deceased girl named Annabelle Higgins. However, the Warrens, upon investigating, concluded that the presence associated with the doll was not that of a human spirit but a malevolent, demonic entity using the doll as a conduit to ultimately possess a human host. Following their investigation, the Warrens removed the doll and placed it in a secure glass case in their Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut, with a warning label reading, 'Warning: Positively Do Not Open.' The doll is also associated with a supposed curse. The Warrens recounted an incident in which a museum visitor mocked the doll and challenged its power. According to their account, the visitor died in a motorcycle accident shortly after being asked to leave the museum. This story has contributed to the belief that Annabelle carries a dangerous curse, although no verifiable evidence supports these claims. 'No way. We are not ready to lose you,' Mel added. Rife went on to explain that he and Castee are now the 'legal guardians and caretakers' of the Warrens' home, as well as the museum and its collection of 750 artifacts, but don't have permanent ownership. 'I must go on record and say we do not legally own the items, but we are the legal guardians and caretakers of the items for at least the next five years,' he clarified. He also shared his plans to re-open the museum, which was forced to shut in 2019 due to a zoning violation. Rife said that 'soon' the museum will be opened for tours, while the house would be open for guests, with options to visit for a day, night or entire weekend. More Trending 'This is the most random hobby ever, but it's so f***ing ool, man. I should probably collect stamps or something — might be a little safer,' he joked. Ed Warren died aged 79 in 2006, while Lorraine died aged 92 in 2019. They were played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga in The Conjuring franchise. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 00's rock icon attends his own lookalike contest with a bag of old clothes MORE: Truth behind Hulk Hogan's two year feud with daughter Brooke finally revealed MORE: Mick Jagger, 82, considering another baby with girlfriend, 38, 'if fate allows'
UPI
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
Comedian Matt Rife says he bought 'Conjuring' house, occult museum
1 of 4 | Matt Rife says he bought the house and occult museum that belonged to the late paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Comedian Matt Rife has announced he bought the Connecticut house and occult museum that belonged to the late Ed and Lorraine Warren, whose paranormal adventures are featured in the Conjuring, Annabelle and Nun horror movies. "I have officially purchased Ed and Lorraine Warren's home and Occult Museum, including being the legal guardian for at least the next 5 years, of the entire haunted collection including THE ANNABELLE DOLL, with my good friend @eltoncastee!!" Rife posted on Instagram, along with a photo of him and Castee posing with the supposedly demonic doll and other photos of the Warrens at home. "If you know me, you know I'm obsessed with the paranormal and all things haunted. You also may know The Conjuring films are my favorite scary movies of all time. So I'm incredibly honored to have taken over one of the most prominent properties in paranormal history. Ed and Lorain Warren arguably put demonology and paranormal into the mainstream and are the very heart of some of the most famous haunted stories of all time, The Conjuring House, Amityville Horror, et..." Rife said he and Castee plan to open the house for overnight stays and the museum for tours some time in the near future. The Conjuring Universe began in 2013 with The Conjuring and was followed by numerous sequels and spin-offs featuring Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren. The Conjuring: Last Rites is set for theatrical release on Sept. 5. Ed died in 2006 and Lorraine died in 2019. The Hollywood Reporter said the house had been open to the public until Lorraine's death, but closed afterwards due to zoning issues.
Time of India
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Comedian Matt Rife is the legal guardian of the real-life 'Annabelle' doll as he buys Warren's home and Occult Museum
Matt Rife, the comedian known for his unusual wit, purchased the paranormal couple, Ed and Lorraine Warren's, home and Occult Museum, along with YouTuber Elton Chase. Not only does he take over the 750 paranormal artefacts, but he is also an official legal guardian of the haunted Annabelle doll. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Matt Rife is the legal guardian of the Annabelle doll In an Instagram announcement, the 29-year-old shared, 'I have officially purchased Ed and Lorraine Warren's home and Occult Museum, including being the legal guardian, for at least the next 5 years, of the entire haunted collection including THE ANNABELLE DOLL." Furthermore, he added that he is obsessed with haunted things and certainly, his favourite films are 'The Conjuring' franchise. Dropping some crumbs about the future plans, Rife claimed that he is planning to open the house for overnight stays (or weekends) and museum tours so that people can experience and learn all about the haunted history surrounding the place. In the post, Rife and Chase posed along with the infamous 'Warning: Positively Do Not Open' glass box, where the Annabelle doll is placed. Matt Rife said in the clip shared on Instagram, 'This might be the most important and prominent piece of paranormal history in the world,' adding, 'I know a lot of you guys don't know what any of this means whatsoever, but if you follow ghost stuff, this is as big as it gets.' Moreover, he claimed that he might not own the artefacts, but they are the legal guardians for at least the next five years. About 'The Conjuring' franchise According to The Hollywood Reporter, the museum was open to the public before 2019, but was closed due to zoning issues. The final chapter of The Conjuring franchise, 'The Conjuring: The Last Rites,' will soon be released on September 5, 2025, where the story will follow Ed and Lorraine's take on the Smurl case.
Mint
03-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Comedian Matt Rife purchases real-life Conjuring occult museum with the Annabelle doll
Los Angeles [US], August 3 (ANI): Once known as the famous paranormal investigating couple, late husband-and-wife Ed and Lorraine Warren's infamous occult museum has a new "legal guardian." Comedian Matt Rife, known for his stand-up specials, recently took to social media and announced his latest purchase, which also includes the 'Annabelle' doll and other spooky artefacts. The artefacts, which are believed to be from the Warrens' paranormal cases, have largely inspired the popular 'Conjuring' horror film franchise. "I have officially purchased Ed and Lorraine Warren's home and Occult Museum, including being the legal guardian for at least the next 5 years, of the entire haunted collection, including THE ANNABELLE DOLL, with my good friend @eltoncastee!!" he wrote in a post. Further in the post, Rife spoke about his obsession with paranormal and haunted things, further calling 'The Conjuring' films his favourite of all time. "So I'm incredibly honoured to have taken over one of the most prominent properties in paranormal history. Ed and Lorraine Warren arguably put demonology and paranormal into the mainstream and are the very heart of some of the most famous haunted stories of all time," he added. Rife also shared that the house will remain open for overnight stays and museum tours, to offer visitors to experience and learn the haunting history of the place. Along with the information, the comedian shared a string of pictures from the inside of the museum, also featuring the late couple. In a major highlight, Rife and Elton were seen posing with the Annabelle doll, which remained locked in its glass case with the warning "Warning: Positively Do Not Open." According to The Hollywood Reporter, the museum was open to the public in the past but was closed in 2019 over zoning issues. The latest switch in ownership comes at a time when Warner Bros is gearing up to bring the next Conjuring chapter. The fourth and final instalment in the celebrated franchise, 'The Conjuring: Last Rites', will follow Ed and Lorraine Warren's take on the Smurl case. An official trailer for the film was recently unveiled, also giving a blink-and-miss glimpse of the Annabelle doll. 'The Conjuring: Last Rites' will be released on September 5. (ANI)
