Annabelle Tour Turns Deadly After Paranormal Researcher's Mysterious Death

The paranormal community is in shock after the sudden death of Dan Rivera, a respected investigator, during a tour featuring the infamous Annabelle doll.

The 54-year-old had been leading a three‑day event in Gettysburg, sharing stories and research about the haunted artifact, when he was found unresponsive in his hotel room.

His unexpected passing has fueled eerie speculation, with some wondering if the doll’s dark legend played a role in his demise.

Meanwhile, authorities continue to investigate as upcoming tour dates are placed on hold.

Dan Rivera, lead investigator for the Connecticut-based New England Society for Psychic Research, collapsed and died in his hotel in Gettysburg on July 13 after conducting a three‑day event with the original Annabelle doll.

According to reports, emergency crews arrived at the hotel following a call and administered CPR, but the researcher was eventually pronounced dead.

Rivera was a U.S. Army veteran and a renowned expert in Santería rites and rituals, with over a decade of experience investigating unexplained phenomena.

He had gone viral for his TikTok videos where he documented creepy tour moments and served as a consulting producer on Netflix’s "28 Days Haunted."

His role during the Gettysburg stop, at the historic Soldiers' National Orphanage, was to educate attendees using his calm, factual presentation amid the scary stories and dark history associated with the doll.

Following Rivera’s death, the New England Society for Psychic Research took to Facebook to mourn the loss of the investigator.

“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,” the society wrote.

According to them, Rivera was always dedicated to his work, never hesitating to share his knowledge and guide others into understanding the unknown.

“His kindness and passion touched everyone that knew him. Thank you for your support and kind thoughts during this difficult time,” they finished.

Ghostly Images of Gettysburg, the host of famed “Devils on the Run” tour, featuring Anabelle, also paid tribute to Rivera.

In a statement to PEOPLE Magazine, they described Rivera’s demise as a “profound loss,” noting that his legacy “will continue to inspire future generations.”

The organization further stated, “Dan was a distinguished figure in the paranormal research community and will be remembered for his kindness and leadership. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Dan’s family, friends, and colleagues.”

The organization also expressed that while they were mourning the loss of a dear friend, they remained committed to preserving Gettysburg’s rich history and the paranormal encounters that made Gettysburg extraordinary.

The Annabelle doll’s ominous reputation dates back to 1968 in Connecticut, when a student nurse was gifted the doll and took it home, where she lived with her roommate.

According to Rivera’s society, the ladies soon began experiencing strange occurrences with the doll.

After a medium claimed the doll was possessed by the spirit of a young girl named Annabelle Higgins, famed demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren intervened.

They took the doll from the home and kept it in a glass box to “contain the evil spirited entity.”

Since then, the doll has inspired the “The Conjuring” films and toured exhibits under strict protocols, which reportedly include crosses and holy water.

Rivera himself once explained during a lecture that the display was sealed with divine protections to keep visitors safe.

In May 2025, rumors circulated on social media claiming the Annabelle doll had gone missing during its “Devils on the Run” tour.

Videos and TikToks sparked panic online, with users speculating she had vanished en route to Chicago or linked the disappearance to a fire and jailbreak in New Orleans.

However, the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) put the record straight. At the time, Rivera addressed the issue on TikTok, walking viewers through the museum to prove the doll was securely sealed in her wooden case and never left Connecticut.

Also, the Warren Museum clarified in a statement that the doll was not missing and was in Connecticut.

“The doll was taken on a brief tour to several locations to show the doll to enthusiasts of the paranormal. The doll was never out of our control. We take extreme precautions when handling or transporting the doll,” Warren Occult Museum owner Tony Spera told The New York Post.