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Infamous ‘Annabelle’ doll not found in hotel room after paranormal investigator dies while touring US with it

Home> News> US News

Published 10:22 20 Jul 2025 GMT+1

Infamous ‘Annabelle’ doll not found in hotel room after paranormal investigator dies while touring US with it

Rumors have quickly spread online about the investigator's death

Gerrard Kaonga

Gerrard Kaonga

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Featured Image Credit: Instagram/dan_rivera_nespr

Topics: News, US News, Weird, Community, Film and TV

Gerrard Kaonga
Gerrard Kaonga

Gerrard is a Journalist at UNILAD and has dived headfirst into covering everything from breaking global stories to trending entertainment news. He has a bachelors in English Literature from Brunel University and has written across a number of different national and international publications. Most notably the Financial Times, Daily Express, Evening Standard and Newsweek.

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In a bizarre turn of events, a paranormal investigator died while finishing off a tour with the ‘possessed’ Annabelle doll.

While some people might not exactly believe in the supernatural, many have been raising their eyebrows at these circumstances.

For those that don’t know, the Conjuring movies are based on a real life Raggedy Ann doll that is believed to be ‘haunted’ or ‘possessed’.

The doll has been caged for most of its existence, but people swear the thing has gone walkabout and caused chaos in any home it has been in.

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Due to its popularity, the doll has previously gone on tours as part of a travelling US exhibition, Devil’s on the Run, likely a fun experience for many considering things have run pretty smoothly.

However, earlier this week, it was confirmed that the doll was on a short three day tour when one of the paranormal investigators handling it had died.

People have been fascinated about the doll for years (Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
People have been fascinated about the doll for years (Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Dan Rivera, a US Army veteran from Bridgeport, Connecticut, had a solid reputation in the supernatural community and had appeared as a paranormal investigator per Travel Channel's notorious Most Haunted Places.

Authorities have confirmed that the 54-year-old died suddenly on Sunday (July 13), while touring with the doll.

Since this news broke, rumors and speculation have persisted across social media, with some alleging an eerie situation with the doll.

The Adams County coroner, Francis Dutrow, spoke to People and said that the doll was nowhere near the scene when Rivera was discovered at a Straban Township hotel on Sunday, July 13.

“There was no Annabelle doll present,” ultimately dismissing the rumors that had circulated online.

Dutrow also told the outlet that his office is conducting an investigation into the circumstances of his death, with the exact cause yet to be confirmed.

Rumors have circulated online following news of Rivera's death (New England Society for Psychic Research/Facebook)
Rumors have circulated online following news of Rivera's death (New England Society for Psychic Research/Facebook)

This is pending the final results of an autopsy, which could take several months.

In a further statement, the coroner's office personnel said Rivera's death did not appear suspicious at this time and that he was found alone in his hotel room.

Tributes for Rivera have begun flooding since news broke of his death.

This has included Rivera’s fellow paranormal investigator Ryan Buell who issued a sweet tribute to him on social media.

Writing on TikTok, he said: “I have so many amazing memories with this guy. Just as recently as two months ago, we traveled around the country and introduced a whole new generation to Ed and Lorraine Warren’s legacy."

  • Paranormal investigator's family share heartbreaking statement after he dies while touring with infamous ‘Annabelle’ doll
  • Cause of death of paranormal investigator who died on 'Annabelle' tour revealed as 'cardiac issues'
  • People seriously disturbed after finding out comedian Matt Rife is now the legal guardian of infamous Annabelle doll
  • Israeli producer of 'Tehran' spy thriller on Apple TV found dead in hotel

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