Latest news with #paranormal
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Shock twist in Annabelle doll handler's sudden death after wild conspiracy blamed US's most infamous ‘haunted' object
A SHOCK twist has been revealed after the sudden death of a paranormal investigator while touring with a 'demonically possessed' doll. Creepy Annabelle has spooked believers for decades - despite the doll being encased in a glass box to 'contain the evil.' 5 5 Dan Rivera, 54, died on July 13 in Pennsylvania while leading a national tour of the allegedly haunted Raggedy Ann doll named Annabelle. The US Army veteran was the lead paranormal investigator of the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), which announced his 'sudden' death. Rivera had been showing the supposedly haunted doll - which inspired film franchise The Conjuring - across multiple states. At the time of his death he had been visiting Gettysburg, where he was leading the Devils on the Run Tour alongside NESPR colleagues. A Pennsylvania coroner has now confirmed to People that the spooky doll was not in the hotel room where Rivera died. Francis Dutrow, the Adams County coroner, told the magazine that he didn't notice Annabelle upon his arrival at the scene on July 13. Dutrow also further confirmed that the doll had not been in Rivera's hotel room at all. The coroner told People that hours before he died, Rivera had been with NESPR colleagues. However, he told them he was returning to his hotel room, as he was feeling sick. The Pennsylvania State Police said on July 16: 'Members from PSP Gettysburg responded to a hotel in Straban Township, Adams County for a report of a deceased [man]. 'Annabelle doll' handler Dan Rivera dies suddenly at 54 while touring with America's most infamous 'haunted' object_4 "The decedent was discovered in his hotel room by workers. 'Nothing unusual or suspicious was observed at the scene." Rivera's cause of death has not as yet been revealed. His autopsy results are expected before the end of September. The doll had been given to late paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, who kept it in their occult museum in Monroe, Connecticut. The chilling tale of "demonic The original doll, which was locked up inside Ed and Lorraine Warrens' Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut, was claimed to have unleashed a reign of terror on a group of flatmates in a chain of events that ended in a man's death Annabelle's chilling story began in 1970 when a mum bought the doll from a hobby shop for her daughter, student nurse Donna, as a birthday gift. Donna took the doll back to the flat she shared with her friend Angie and soon began to notice small hand movements, which they explained away. The doll was then claimed to have begun to move around the flat, appearing outside Angie's room after being placed on Donna's bed. Then things took an even more sinister twist. The girls' close friend, Lou, became very nervous around the doll, believing it to be possessed, but the girls dismissed his fears. Then notes written on parchment paper, reading "Help us" and "Help Lou" in a child's handwriting, began to appear around the flat. The girls finally called in a medium, after Donna came home from work to find the doll had 'blood' on her hands. Annabelle was on her usual spot on the bed but red liquid was seeping from her hands. After holding a séance the medium claimed the apartment was built on the site of a field, where a dead seven-year-old girl called Annabelle Higgins had been found many years before. When the doll was brought to the apartment Annabelle's spirit was apparently in the area and she became fond of the doll, opting to possess it. Donna later called in an Episcopal priest named Father Hegan, who suggested they contact occult experts Ed and Lorraine Warren. The couple told the girls the doll was allegedly being manipulated by an "inhuman demonic spirit." Inanimate objects aren't possessed, they said, but spirits can become "attached." The apartment was 'cleansed' by Ed, using a special Episcopal blessing, and the couple took the doll away and housed it in their museum. A few hours after the priest left their museum, he rang the Warrens, claiming his brakes had failed as he turned on to a busy road. He'd been in an accident, his car was written off and he was lucky to have survived. Ed claimed the doll willed his car's brakes and steering to fail, before he stopped it by throwing holy water on it. Worried, the Warrens moved the rag doll in to a glass box at their museum, secured with a special set of prayers. Lorraine Warren later warned visitors against mocking Annabelle. But one man visiting the museum began bashing on her case, calling on her to scratch him if she was real. Ed threw him out, but later heard a chilling tale from his girlfriend. Lorraine recalled: "[The girlfriend] told us that they were both laughing and joking about the doll when the young man lost control of the bike and crashed head-on into a tree.' He was killed instantly and his girlfriend was in hospital for a year. In a lecture given at Rutgers University in 1987, the Warrens claimed that Annabelle could "slash" people's skin with her psychic powers. Ed Warren died in 2006, and Lorraine passed away in 2019, aged 92. The museum closed following her death. The couple's decades of ghost-hunting cases inspired such frightening films as The Conjuring series and The Amityville Horror. Annabelle also has movies in her own name, including Annabelle (2014), Annabelle: Creation (2017), and Annabelle Comes Home (2019). HAUNTINGS The Warrens founded the New England Society for Psychic Research in Monroe in 1952 to probe suspected hauntings. They investigated more than 10,000 cases in the U.S. and abroad, often writing about their experiences. One such case was that involving the rag doll, with huge black eyes. Lorraine Warren said: "It's not what the doll looks like that makes it scary. It is what has been infused within the doll. Evil." A student nurse who received the Raggedy Ann doll as a gift brought it home where she lived with a roommate, according to NESPR, which is overseen by the Warrens' son-in-law Tony Spera. 5 His in-laws pronounced the doll as being allegedly "demonically possessed." To protect people, they encased it in a glass box to contain the "evil spirited entity," according to the website. A chilling alert displayed on its case says: "Warning: Positively Do Not Open." US TOUR WARNING Rivera, who was mentored by the couple, took ownership of Annabelle after Lorraine's death in 2019, and hoped to continue their work with his research and tour. His sudden death came after the Warren family had to quash conspiracy theory-style claims that the doll had disappeared. Months before the US tour, Rivera had posted on Facebook about embarking on a 'thrilling and terrifying adventure showcasing the most diabolical items from the infamous Warren's Occult Museum.' Spookily, a woman warned him eight weeks ago: 'I don't understand why you guys would put yourself in danger like this, you really should put that doll back. "And Lorraine Warren said it wasn't supposed to be touched or removed under no circumstances.' 5 But another wrote: 'So much superstitious nonsense. Grow up people.' Others said it was a mere 'coincidence' and that 'he didn't die because of a doll.' One woman admonished believers by writing: 'Seriously?! Do you think people are gullible or what?! "I'm sorry this man passed away, but come one, you guys are being silly here.' Dan Rivera's family statement "We as a family are in pieces as we share the news that Dan Rivera has passed away unexpectedly," Sarah Bond Rivera said. "He was the center of this family and a pillar of love and strength. "As a devoted husband, father of four sons, and a staunchly faithful friend, he always had a quiet source of resilience, strength and endless hope. "Daniel carried a light and a brave heart everyday through his life and his work. "We are currently at a loss for words as we process his loss but are extremely thankful for the love, support and respect during this unimaginable time." Source: Facebook. However, one man claimed: 'When Annabelle got to Gettysburg, we went into a huge blackout for 911! "Everyone's phones were going crazy with the notification for 911 being out, and it's just odd that soon as Annabelle got to Gettysburg that happened, then he dies suddenly.' Another agreed, saying: 'On the day the tour started in Gettysburg, PA had a statewide 911 outage. That thing is evil.' One believer added: 'Most haunted doll on earth. "It was warned 'never to remove' the doll [from] where it was stored, and this guy not only moved the doll but took it on a US tour.' Another added: 'The Warrens kept Annabelle locked up for a reason.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Paranormal Investigator Did Not Have 'Possessed' Annabelle Doll in Hotel Room Where He Died: Coroner
NEED TO KNOW Dan Rivera, a paranormal investigator, died on July 13 during a stop in Pennsylvania while touring with the "demonically possessed" Annabelle doll Adams County coroner Francis Dutrow confirms to PEOPLE that the doll was not present when he arrived at the scene The results of his autopsy are expected in about 8-10 weeksNo, the allegedly 'possessed' Annabelle doll was not in the hotel room where paranormal investigator Dan Rivera died earlier this week, according to a Pennsylvania coroner. In a Friday, July 18, message to PEOPLE, Francis Dutrow, the Adams County coroner confirmed that the doll was not present when he arrived at the scene on Sunday, July 13, when authorities were notified about Rivera's death. Dutrow went on to note that the doll had not been in the hotel room at all. Rivera, a lead investigator for the Connecticut-based New England Society for Psychic Research, was in Gettysburg. Pa., last weekend with Annabelle as part of the Devils on the Run tour when he died at the age of 54. The Pennsylvania State Police shared a report on Wednesday, July 16, detailing what happened. '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. Dutrow earlier told PEOPLE that Rivera had been with colleagues on Sunday morning but said he was feeling sick and was going back to his room. It's unclear what Rivera may have been ill with and further information is pending his autopsy results, which are expected in about 8-10 weeks. According to the New England Society for Psychic Research's website, Anabelle'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 'demonically 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. In a statement later shared with PEOPLE on Tuesday, July 15, the New England Society for Psychic Research, which first confirmed the death on social media, paid tribute to Rivera. 'Dan was not only a vital part of our team for over a decade, but also a deeply compassionate, loyal, and dedicated friend,' they wrote. '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 continued. 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. '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,' the statement added. According to a Facebook post by Ryan Buell, the host of A&E's Paranormal State, Rivera, who was an Army veteran, is survived by his wife and children. Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
People left 'unsettled' after spotting 'ghost' hidden in group photo - so, can YOU see it?
A seemingly normal photo of a group of friends on holiday has been branded 'creepy' after people spotted a 'ghost' hidden in the snap. Reddit user who goes by the name CursedEmoji posted the snap online - saying their friend had sent them a picture of their trip to Chile. Upon first glance, it may seem as though there are a group of six people - four women and two men - posing for the snap while trekking in a forest. However, a less obvious, much darker looking face appeared to be lurking in the snap. After being shared online, people were quick to share how they were 'creeped out'. One wrote: 'Oof. That definitely made my heart jump when I finally found it.' Another penned: 'I thought it was about the top of a head behind the guy on the right. Oh yeah, I saw the witch too!' A third said: 'It was a completely normal picture before zooming in. It's a creepy picture with a very clear ghost face.' A fourth commented: 'Looks like someone's grandma is travelling with them,' while a fifth chimed in and added: 'Nah that actually scared me a bit.' Upon first glance, it may seem as though there are group of six people - four women and two men - who are posing for a selfie while trekking in a forest - but on further inspection, there appears to be a spirit lurking in the picture However, others questioned whether the picture was real, with some theorising that it might've been a camera glitch or even Photoshop. One wrote: 'Creepy! Seems a little too good to be true, though.' Another penned: 'That's absolutely Reagan from the exorcist photoshopped in, things like this sadly dampen paranormal photography.' A third said: 'Looks photoshopped to me, just too obvious. I saw it pretty quickly.' A fourth commented: 'Looks like a digital error of some kind. Face looks similar to the dude on the left.' This comes as a professional exorcist debunked movie myths and revealed which people are most likely to get possessed by 'demons'. Ralph Keeton, a medium and exorcist from Hull with more than 25 years of experience under his belt, went on the People Are Deep podcast to share his stories of apparently communicating with spirits. The interviewer on the show spoke about the 1973 supernatural film The Exorcist, which follows a young girl who has become possessed, after playing with an Ouija board. In one scene, she is filmed sitting up as her head spins around and she is also seen throwing up green vomit while having a violent fit - but this is an inaccurate depiction of a possession, according to Ralph. He said: 'It's much more of a natural phenomenon. On a very rare case is someone lifted or moved around a property. 'Most of the time, it's more physical things happening to a person. So it's like an object hitting you or a lesion coming onto your skin or mental breakdowns. 'It's things that are more common. That case with the film, I've never witnessed anything like that.' Ralph gave an example of one of his rarer cases where he dealt with a woman who had 'a sexual ghost attacking her'. He said: 'When you see fingerprints on skin, legs being pulled apart and lifted up and dragged, you can't tell me that's her doing it because we couldn't physically stop it. 'It was a case of me getting hold of her and then deciding what we were going to do. 'It's a hard concept for anyone to get their head around, because this type of stuff exists in CGI and films and things like that. When it's happening in real life, it's a whole new ball game.' During the chat, Ralph revealed that 'weak' individuals are the most likely to apparently get possessed as they will likely allow the spirit to take over their bodies. He said: 'You've got to be quite weak-willed for it to happen because you need to let someone take control of you. In most cases in life as a human being, you naturally go against that. 'I don't know about you, but when someone says "No" to me, I say "What do you mean, no?" But they will try and take over you.' The experienced medium said that it can be challenging to get rid of an energy once it has taken over someone's body. 'Once an energy is gone, it's like a bereavement. In half the cases I've dealt with, a lot of people are half expecting it to come back,' he added. 'Well if you're half expecting it back, you're half bringing it back again.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Annabelle Doll Handler Dan Rivera's Nature of Death Revealed
Originally appeared on E! Online Police do not believe foul play was involved in the death of Dan Rivera, the paranormal researcher who passed away while traveling with the supposedly haunted doll Annabelle. In a Pennsylvania State Police report released July 16, authorities listed the nature of the incident as "death natural." Furthermore, the department said "nothing unusual or suspicious was observed" at the hotel room where Rivera's body was found on July 13. "The decedent was discovered in his hotel room by coworkers," the report stated. "This case is pending autopsy results." His cause of death has yet to be shared. Ghost Hunters' Jason Hawes also does not believe emerging conspiracies that Rivera's death is somehow linked to Annabelle, whose spooky backstory serves as the inspiration behind the popular The Conjuring movies. 'Recently the World lost a good man,' Hawes wrote in a July 16 Facebook post. 'Dan Rivera was an Army veteran, a father of four, a husband, and someone who truly cared about people. What's even harder to see right now are the posts blaming his death on things like the Annabelle doll." Likewise, Ghostly Images of Gettysburg manager Christina Rowand is brushing off speculation that Rivera's death is related to the allegedly haunted Raggedy Ann toy, telling Inside Edition in a July 17 interview, "There is a logical reason for this. Dan has handled this doll for decades. Why now? Could it not just be natural causes?" Rivera had been with the NESPR for more than 10 years when he died. According to the organization, he was a "constant presence" for cofounder Lorraine Warren—who first investigated Annabelle with her demonologist husband Ed Warren in the late '60s and early '70s—before her death in 2019. More from E! Online Coldplay's Chris Martin Shared Remorse Over Affair Joke in Viral Concert Video Chris Hemsworth's Mini-Me Twin Sons Steal Spotlight in Rare Red Carpet Appearance Ghost Adventures' Zak Bagans Was "Very Affected" by Annabelle Doll Before Dan Rivera's Death Calling the unfounded theories "disgusting," he also encouraged people to stop "attacking places like Ghostly Images of Gettysburg," where Rivera and the New England Society of Psychic Research (NESPR) hosted a viewing of Annabelle shortly before his passing. "Dan was a family man, a respected paranormal investigator, and he left this world way too soon," Hawes added. "Let's focus on remembering Dan for who he was." Likewise, Ghostly Images of Gettysburg manager Christina Rowand is brushing off speculation that Rivera's death is related to the allegedly haunted Raggedy Ann toy, telling Inside Edition in a July 17 interview, "There is a logical reason for this. Dan has handled this doll for decades. Why now? Could it not just be natural causes?" Rivera had been with the NESPR for more than 10 years when he died. According to the organization, he was a "constant presence" for cofounder Lorraine Warren—who first investigated Annabelle with her demonologist husband Ed Warren in the late '60s and early '70s—before her death in 2019. "He worked closely with Lorraine Warren and remained by her side even as her health declined, always offering a steady hand and unwavering support," the firm noted in a July 15 statement. "His caring nature and sense of purpose made a deep impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him." The NESPR added that they have no immediate plans to cancel the remaining dates in their national tour of Annabelle, who the Warrens deemed to be "demonically possessed." "We believe with all our hearts that Dan would have wanted the work to continue," the group added in their statement. "We will carry his spirit with us in everything we do." Keep reading for public figures sharing their supernatural experiences. Courteney CoxDemi LovatoJoey KingAriana GrandeOctavia SpencerJennifer AnistonMiley CyrusKeanu ReevesVanessa HudgensHugh GrantBrian Cox For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Screen Geek
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Screen Geek
Paranormal Investigator Dan Rivera Dies During Annabelle Haunted Doll Tour
The allegedly haunted doll known as 'Annabelle,' that horror fans may recognize from The Conjuring and its follow-ups, was the focus of a ' Devils on the Run Tour ' when the paranormal investigator hosting the tour suddenly died. Dan Rivera, who was only 54-years-old, passed away unexpectedly during the tour. As reported by the NY Post, the US Army Veteran was hosting the tour in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania at the time of his death. Firefighters and medics were dispatched to his hotel, and while CPR was performed on Rivera, attempts to resuscitate him were unsuccessful. Dan Rivera is said to have been the lead investigator for the New England Society for Psychic Research. Additionally, the exact cause of his unexpected death has yet to be confirmed. Fans may have recognized Rivera for being involved with the Travel Channel's Most Haunted Place as a paranormal investigator. He was also a producer for other similar shows including the Netflix series 28 Days Haunted . The New England Society for Psychic Research, aka NESPR, reported that Rivera was one of several members from the organization giving tours surrounding the doll known as Annabelle. The outlet adds that Rivera's 'death came after he finished a three-day sellout stop in Gettysburg from Friday through Sunday.' The tour was hosted by the ' Ghostly Images of Gettysburg Tours ' at the Soldiers National Orphanage. Prior to its popularity in The Conjuring , which featured a fictionalized version of the doll, Annabelle was a Raggedy Ann doll investigated by Ed and Lorraine Warren in the 1970s. In fact, the Warrens founded the NESPR organization as far back as 1952. The doll was eventually placed in the Warrens' occult museum, and it has since been under the ownership of their daughter Judy and son-in-law, Tony Spera, who have toured the doll with their museum in recent years. Dan Rivera is survived by his wife Sarah and four children. Stay tuned to ScreenGeek for any potential updates regarding the situation as we have them.
