Unpacking the Conspiracy Around Dan Rivera’s Death, the Annabelle Doll

by

Various speculations about the unexpected demise of paranormal researcher Dan Rivera have been spreading across the web.

During the Devils on the Run Tour, featuring the supposedly possessed doll Annabelle, a 54-year-old man named Scott Pennewill confirmed to Today.com that the individual passed away in a Gettysburg, Pa., hotel room on July 13. Although Pennewill stated there was nothing suspicious about the death, horror enthusiasts remain skeptical. This could be due to their excessive viewing of movies influenced by Annabelle, such as The Conjuring, or because the deceased individual was responsible for handling and moving the doll. It is worth noting that at the time of Rivera’s passing, the doll was not present in the hotel room.

Regardless of the cause, the excitement has escalated to such an extent that fellow paranormal investigator Jason Hawes has criticized accusations that attribute Rivera’s demise to items like the Annabelle doll.

The former Ghost Hunters member expressed his disapproval on Facebook on July 15, stating that during their time of grief, Dan’s family should not have to read such inappropriate speculations. He is concerned that some individuals are exploiting Dan’s passing for personal gain, which he finds abhorrent. Instead, he encourages people to focus more on who Dan was and less on supernatural conjectures.

Jason further emphasized that Dan was a loving family man, a well-respected paranormal investigator, and his untimely departure from this world is deeply regrettable. He urges everyone to remember Dan for who he truly was, rather than fabricating stories about his death to gain clicks or attention. Let’s honor the man, not create false narratives, he concluded.

At present, the official cause of Dan’s death remains unknown, leaving fans in a state of anticipation for answers. In the meantime, here is a summary of what we currently know about Dan’s passing and the legend surrounding the Annabelle doll.

Prior to his unexpected demise on July 13, Dan Rivera had spent a significant portion of his life delving into the mysteries of the supernatural.

In a heartfelt Facebook post on July 14, the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) expressed their sorrow over his passing, acknowledging that “Dan’s genuine interest and compassion for the paranormal captivated everyone who knew him.”

Hailing from Connecticut, Rivera collaborated extensively with Lorraine Warren, a renowned investigator of spirits and demonology, alongside her husband Ed Warren.

Later in his life, Rivera translated his passion for the unexplained to the screen, featuring on Travel Channel’s ‘Most Haunted Places’ and producing Netflix’s ’28 Days Haunted’. Yet, his work in paranormal investigations was just one facet of his life. He also served in the U.S. Army and cherished his family.

As NESPR stated in their July 15 press release, “While Dan’s work sparked intrigue and curiosity in many, he was first and foremost a loving father, dedicated husband, and loyal friend, someone who held immense value to those closest to him.

Note: This item may provoke disturbing dreams.

As per NESPR’s website, Annabelle originates from approximately the early 70s when a mother bought the doll from a hobby store and gifted it to her college-aged daughter Donna. Donna and her roommate Angie soon observed “extremely eerie and unsettling” occurrences, as stated on the site, such as the doll seemingly moving around the house on its own accord and messages supposedly written by a child that appeared asking for help.

The pair is said to have contacted a medium who informed them about a young girl named Annabelle, believed to have been discovered dead in a field where their apartment building was later constructed.

Eventually, as the story goes, Donna and Angie reached out to the Warrens, who declared the doll “demonically possessed” and took Annabelle out of their apartment (placing it in a box).

This tale has captivated horror movie enthusiasts and served as inspiration for films like The Conjuring and Annabelle.

Working alongside Warrens and NESPR, Rivera assisted in organizing events and tours featuring Annabelle. Notably, he was usually the one who handled the doll, wearing gloves for protection.

In an interview with i95Rock in 2022, Rivera shared his cautious approach to handling the doll, stating, “I have to go to church, I have to confess, and a priest has to bless me before I can even touch that doll.”

Additionally, there were peculiar occurrences. As he explained, “After I placed the doll back into the case I had built, due to repairs needed, I had to leave the museum that night because my leg started shaking intensely and I broke out in cold sweats. It was an experience I’d never felt before.

It’s important to note that the exact cause of Rivera’s death hasn’t been disclosed yet. Scott Pennewill, Chief Deputy Coroner, informed Today.com that Rivera was on tour with the Annabelle doll when he was discovered in a hotel room in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on July 13. He was 54 years old. As Pennewill stated to the outlet, there was nothing suspicious about Rivera’s death. Moreover, the Annabelle doll was not present in the hotel room, and Rivera was alone at the time of discovery. A police report classified the incident as a “natural” death.

Paranormal researchers have recounted their individual encounters with Annabelle, such as Zak Bagans, who shared in an interview with Us Weekly on July 16 that “I did examine Annabelle when the owner brought her to my museum in 2017. I was quite influenced by her, and it led me to touch the doll, which the owner wasn’t too pleased about.” Meanwhile, former Ghost Hunters member Jason Hawes encouraged fans to refrain from spreading unfounded rumors. “We’ve lost a good man recently,” he posted on Facebook July 15. “Dan Rivera was an Army veteran, a father of four, a husband, and someone who genuinely cared for others. It’s heartbreaking to see the posts blaming his death on things like the Annabelle doll and attacking establishments like Ghostly Images of Gettysburg Tours and other locations for hosting events. This needs to cease. His family shouldn’t have to endure such nonsense while they are grieving.” Hawes also expressed disgust at people exploiting Rivera’s passing for personal gain, stating “Some individuals are using his passing to further their own agendas, and it’s disgraceful.” Instead, he urged everyone to remember Dan for who he was, not for sensationalizing his death in a false narrative meant to generate clicks or attention.

After Rivera’s passing, his son David initiated a GoFundMe campaign, specifying that the funds collected would be utilized for the funeral expenses and support of his four children.

In a message shared on the page, David expressed, “He was renowned for his role as the lead paranormal investigator at NESPR, where he assisted numerous individuals during their difficult times, providing them with comfort and a sense of security.” However, beyond his professional accomplishments, he emphasized that Rivera was his father, a remarkable man who possessed a deep capacity for love and lived life to the fullest.

He further described his father as an enthusiast of classic cars and music, an avid camper, and someone who cherished family gatherings. David reminisced about how his father’s smile, kindness, and sarcastic wit illuminated every room he entered. Unfortunately, despite sharing 25 years with him, David was not emotionally, physically, or financially prepared for his untimely departure.

Read More

2025-07-20 19:17