- By Supratik Das
- Fri, 05 Sep 2025 12:43 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Annabelle doll mystery: Paranormal investigator Dan Rivera, widely known in the ghost-hunting world for his association with the infamous “Annabelle” doll, died of natural causes at the age of 54 while on tour in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The Adams County Coroner's Office has determined that there is no connection between the doll and Rivera's untimely demise, but instead that the cause was cardiac in nature.
Rivera, one of the participants on the "Devils on the Run" paranormal tour that feature the haunted Annabelle doll in various US states, was discovered dead in his hotel room on July 13. Hotel staff at a Straban Township hotel found his body after he did not join colleagues, the Pennsylvania State Police reported. “Members from PSP Gettysburg responded to a hotel in Straban Township, Adams County for a report of a deceased man. The decedent was discovered in his hotel room by workers. Nothing unusual or suspicious was observed at the scene,” the official report noted.
Adams County Coroner Francis Dutrow confirmed in a statement on September 4 that Rivera’s passing was the result of natural causes linked to heart problems. “Mr. Rivera had a known history of cardiac issues, which align with the findings. It was also confirmed that Annabelle was not present in the room at the time of his passing,” Dutrow told People Magazine. He added that Rivera had been feeling unwell earlier that day and returned to his room to rest. Rivera’s colleagues also reported that he complained of feeling sick before leaving the group that morning. The exact nature of his illness, however, was not disclosed.
Rivera's Death Triggers 'Ghostly' Theories
The news of Rivera's passing triggered speculation on the internet, with a number of conspiracy theories trying to connect it with the Annabelle doll, which has been long referred to as being one of the most "demonically possessed" objects by the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR). Rivera was the chief investigator for NESPR, the paranormal group which was established by renowned investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. In spite of speculative online claims, officials have unequivocally ruled out any supernatural cause for his death. TMZ, People Magazine, confirmed through official reports that Rivera's death was the result of natural, cardiac conditions.
Rivera attracted a number of followers on social media, often sharing his investigations and insights on haunted objects, including the Annabelle doll, which became internationally famous after inspiring James Wan’s 2013 film The Conjuring and the 2014 spin-off Annabelle.
