Annabelle, a real Raggedy Ann doll that paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren believed was possessed by a demonic entity, rose to fame as the inspiration for a fictional doll of the same name that featured in the spine-chilling horror films of "The Conjuring" universe.
Though the real Annabelle doll is cloth, the film version is a vintage porcelain doll with a sinister grin. Annabelle first appeared in "The Conjuring" in 2013 and later headlined her first spinoff movie in 2014, which followed a couple who experienced supernatural occurrences involving the doll.
In July 2025, more than six years after the latest Annabelle movie premiered, the real doll made headlines again following the death of one of her handlers, paranormal investigator Dan Rivera.
After the news broke, some social media users theorized that the allegedly haunted doll was behind Rivera's death. For example, the overlaid text of a video (archived) shared on TikTok read: "Annabelle doll takes Dan Rivera's life. Demons are real and not a joke."
Snopes readers also searched our website for information about the Annabelle doll and its potential connection to Rivera's death.
Here's a breakdown of what we know about Rivera's passing.
Rivera died suddenly during Annabelle tour visit in Pennsylvania
Rivera died on July 13, 2025, during a visit to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, as part of the national "Devils on the Run" tour featuring the Annabelle doll, local media outlets reported.
The New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) announced Rivera's "sudden passing" in a brief statement shared via Facebook on July 14. Rivera, a U.S. Army veteran born and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut, was a senior lead investigator at NESPR who spent more than a decade in paranormal research and investigation, according to the society's website.
The initial Facebook post announcing his passing read:
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.
On July 15, NESPR followed up by posting a lengthier news release about Rivera's death, calling him a "dear friend and colleague."
According to the news release, Rivera "worked closely with Lorraine Warren," a trance medium who co-founded NESPR and was portrayed by actor Vera Farmiga in "The Conjuring" movies, "and remained by her side even as her health declined, always offering a steady hand and unwavering support." He was also a "constant presence" at NESPR events such as "An Evening with Annabelle."
NESPR said it plans to move forward with previously scheduled events, adding that "we believe with all our hearts that Dan would have wanted the work to continue." There are more "Devils on the Run" tour stops featuring the Annabelle doll scheduled for 2025.
The full press release memorializing Rivera is below.
Rivera's son, David Rivera, remembered him as a "dedicated father and loving husband," according to a GoFundMe campaign (archived) set up to raise funds for his father's funeral expenses. His work as a paranormal investigator at NESPR "helped countless people out of dark times and brought comfort and a sense of safety to those who needed it," David Rivera wrote, in part, adding:
But more importantly, he was my father, a great man who loved deeply and lived fully. He had a passion for working on classic cars while listening to classic rock and old school hip hop, enjoyed camping, and cherished spending time with family. He lit up every room with his smile, kindness and sarcastic witty humor. I was only blessed to spend time with my dad for 25 years and I wasn't prepared mentally, physically or financially to let him go this young.
Rivera's cause of death unknown
Rivera's cause of death was unknown at the time of this writing. However, Pennsylvania authorities said in a report (archived) about his case that they found "nothing unusual" at the scene
Rivera, who was 54 years old, had been with co-workers on the morning of Sunday, July 13, but returned to his hotel room after telling them he felt sick, the Philadelphia-based Hanover Evening Sun newspaper reported, citing the Adams County Coroner's Office. According to the outlet, the coroner's office said Rivera's co-workers later discovered him alone in his hotel room in cardiac arrest after they were unable to reach him. Bystanders began CPR but emergency crews determined Rivera had passed away, the newspaper reported, citing 911 dispatch records.
On July 16, Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Trooper Megan Frazer (archived), who serves as a public information officer, shared a report with details matching Rivera's case in an X post. A spokesperson for PSP confirmed via email that the report referenced Rivera's case.
The report said, in part, that "nothing unusual or suspicious was observed at the scene," adding that the case is "pending autopsy results."
Francis Dutrow, the coroner in Adams County, Pennsylvania, said via email that the Annabelle doll was not present when he arrived at the scene. The cause and manner of death are pending, and autopsy results are expected in about eight to 10 weeks, Dutrow added.
What we know about real Annabelle doll's alleged history
A student nurse received the allegedly haunted Raggedy Ann doll known as Annabelle as a gift in 1968, according to a timeline published by NESPR. Soon after, the roommates "noticed strange occurrences" connected to the doll and a medium told them the spirit of a young girl named Annabelle inhabited it, the society wrote.
"The two roommates tried to accept the doll's spirit and please it only to have it reciprocate with maliciousness and violent intent," NESPR added. "This is when Ed and Lorraine Warren were called and pronounced the doll demonically possessed."
The Warrens ultimately removed the doll from the home and kept it in a glass box in their Occult Museum in Connecticut.
In May 2025, rumors swirled online that the Annabelle doll had gone missing from the museum. However, Rivera debunked the claims in a TikTok video posted on May 24.
"I just want to show you guys that Annabelle is in the Warrens' Occult Museum," Rivera said in the video.