Paranormal investigator Dan Rivera, a 54-year-old Army veteran and lead figure of the New England Society for Psychic Research, was found dead this week in his Gettysburg hotel room—and shockingly, the infamous Annabelle doll was nowhere to be found when first responders arrived. Coroner Francis Dutrow confirmed the eerie absence, adding a chilling twist to the tragic case.
Rivera was in town as part of the “Devils on the Run Tour”—a traveling show dedicated to bringing the real, allegedly haunted Annabelle doll to American audiences outside its sealed display at the Warrens’ Occult Museum. Earlier that day, he had hosted a packed ghost-hunting event at Gettysburg’s historic Soldiers National Orphanage. The Guardian noted he’d just finished a performance before returning to his hotel, where he was found unresponsive that evening.
“Dan Rivera collapsed after hosting the famed Annabelle doll—then the doll vanished. 🕯️”
Pennsylvania State Police said nothing suspicious was found at the scene, and it appeared to be a natural death—though the cause remains undetermined pending an autopsy. TOI reported investigators found no signs of trauma, yet the missing Annabelle raised immediate alarm among believers.
The doll, which Ed and Lorraine Warren labeled “demonically possessed” in the 1970s, has long been enveloped in horror lore and inspired Hollywood’s *Conjuring* universe. Still, issuing a statement, NESPR director Tony Spera insisted the doll “is safely secured” and the disappearance was planned as part of the tour setup—not a supernatural vanishing. Wikipedia confirms the doll’s secure origins, though fans remain unsettled.
Just days earlier, Rivera had reportedly been seen holding Annabelle outside her display ca se—a rare unmasking moment that sparked speculation. India Times captured the crowd urging caution as he cautioned that the doll “should never be allowed out of its case lightly.”
“The doll wasn’t in the room. That fact alone is bone‑chilling.”
Colleagues, including Zak Bagans—who previously documented bizarre energy readings during his encounters with Annabelle—expressed shock. “It always felt alive,” Bagans told India Times recalled. “To think it’s missing now, after Dan died… it’s haunting.”
Social media buzz erupted as users posted theories, from foul play to the doll’s own “curse.” Reddit threads speculated if Rivera died of a sudden heart attack, due to his age and stress of the tour, but few could shake the absence of Annabelle. Reddit buzzed about Dan’s collapse right after packing up the doll.
Inspector Dutrow’s clarification was stark: “The doll was not present when I arrived at the scene.” Emergency responders echoed that statement, adding the room showed no signs of struggle and nothing supernatural at play. Hindustan Times covered the official statement.
Friends and family describe Rivera as fearless and dedicated—he’d toured nationally with Annabelle to educate people, not scare them, and frequently invoked the Warrens’ motto: “Respect the spirits.” The Sun shared tributes from the paranormal community, calling him a devoted husband and father whose mission transcended entertainment.
Still, haunting questions linger—where did the doll go, and was it connected? The tour is set to continue to Augusta, Rock Island, and Kentucky’s Scarefest, but organizers say Rivera’s death will change how they transport “cursed relics.” Tour rules may now include locked suitcases and GPS trackers. San Antonio press noted tour changes.
As the paranormal world reels, experts caution against sensationalism. Science writers argue Annabelle’s haunting history is rooted in myth and pop culture, not demonology. Texas State University professor Joseph Laycock described the doll as a “case study in folklore,” not a supernatural entity. Wiki’s entry on Annabelle emphasizes that skeptics often dismiss haunting claims.
What remains undisputed: a man died, and his once-haunted companion vanished. This collision of tragedy and mystery has created a media storm—and a smoky trail of public fascination. Will Rivera’s death be remembered as the dark cost of chasing ghosts, or merely a heartbreaking coincidence overshadowed by legend?
