Comedian Matt Rife Purchases Occult Museum, Home to Annabelle Doll

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Matt Rife is taking his crowd work to a new…dimension.

Certainly, it came to light that the comedian disclosed his acquisition of the Connecticut residence and occult museum belonging to paranormal researchers Ed Warren and Lorraine Warren, a place famed as the muse for numerous well-known horror movies.

In the caption of his August 1 TikTok video, he mentioned that along with the purchase came the obligation to serve as the legal guardian for at least the next five years, of the entire haunted collection, which includes “THE ANNABELLE DOLL“, accompanied by my good friend @eltoncastee.

What was his reason for spending lavishly on something he called “the most significant and noticeable artifact of the paranormal world?” He viewed it as both a pastime and an investment opportunity.

He went on to say, “Since you’re familiar with me, you’d realize I have a deep fascination with the supernatural and anything related to ghosts. Notably, ‘The Conjuring’ movie series is my all-time favorite collection of horror films. Therefore, I feel extremely privileged to now be in charge of one of the most significant paranormal legacies.

Although Elton and he haven’t been formally designated as the proprietors of the Annabelle doll, Matt made it clear that they have temporary custody and responsibility for its care over the coming years.

Ed and Lorain Warren are widely recognized as having made demonology and the paranormal more popular, and they’re at the core of some of the most well-known haunted tales ever told,” he noted, “including The Conjuring House, Amityville Horror, and others…

Given the comedian’s intense enthusiasm for his latest projects, he aimed to reveal the spine-tingling history of that property to the global audience.

Here’s something exciting: You will soon have an opportunity to reserve a night or even a whole weekend and explore the Warrens’ house, much like an investigation! Isn’t it quite extraordinary? It feels as if I’ve stumbled upon the most unusual pastime, yet it’s incredibly fascinating. I guess I should consider taking up stamp collecting instead—perhaps it’s a bit safer.

The chilling purchase made by the 29-year-old occurred less than a month after Dan Rivera, who had been conducting a nationwide tour of the authentic Annabelle doll, unexpectedly passed away during his visit with the New England Society of Psychic Research (NESPR).

With a heavy heart, Tony, Wade, and I announced the unexpected loss of our dear friend and colleague, Dan Rivera, who was NESPR’s lead investigator. Chris “Jeek” Gilloren wrote this on our Facebook page on July 14th. Dan had a strong conviction in sharing his paranormal experiences and enlightening others about them. His kindness and enthusiasm left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Moreover, although speculations about the doll’s involvement in his demise circulated online, Francis Dutrow, who handled the investigation, eventually verified that the toy was nowhere to be found in the same room where Dan was discovered deceased.

Jason Hawes, a fellow paranormal investigator, wrote on Facebook that such rumors about Dan’s death should cease. It’s inappropriate for his family to encounter such baseless speculations while they are mourning.

For more about Rivera’s passing and the lore around the Annabelle doll, keep reading…

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

A Facebook post by the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) on July 14 announced his passing and stated, “Dan was passionate about sharing his encounters and enlightening others about the paranormal.” His kindness and enthusiasm left an indelible impact on everyone who knew him.

Born and raised in Connecticut, Rivera collaborated extensively with Lorraine Warren, who, alongside her husband Ed Warren, investigated spirits and demonology.

In later years, he translated his passion into the world of entertainment—featuring on Travel Channel’s ‘Most Haunted Places’ and producing Netflix’s ’28 Days Haunted’. However, his paranormal investigations were just one facet of his life. He also served in the U.S. Army and was a devoted family man.

NESPR’s July 15 press release emphasized, “While Dan’s work sparked intrigue and curiosity in many, he was first and foremost a loving father, dedicated husband, and faithful friend, cherished by those closest to him.

According to NESPR’s website, a doll named Annabelle dates back to the early 70s. A mother bought this doll from a hobby store and gave it to her college-aged daughter Donna. Donna and her roommate Angie soon reported some very unusual and unsettling events, such as the doll appearing to move on its own around their house and messages supposedly written by a child asking for help, which they found.

They contacted a medium, who told them about a young girl named Annabelle who was believed to have been found dead in a field where their apartment building was later built. Eventually, Donna and Angie reached out to the Warrens, who deemed the doll to be possessed by demons and removed it from their apartment (they put the figure inside a box).

This story caught the attention of horror movie fans and inspired films like The Conjuring and Annabelle.

When collaborating with the Warrens and NESPR, Rivera assisted in organizing events and tours featuring Annabelle. Notably, he was usually the one to handle the doll, carefully wearing gloves during the process. According to him, he took special care with the doll and even sought blessings from a priest before touching it. Additionally, he shared an odd experience where, after placing the doll back into its case for repairs, he had to leave the museum that same evening due to an intense shaking in his leg and cold sweats. This was something he had never experienced prior to this incident.

It remains undisclosed what exactly led to Rivera’s demise. Scott Pennewill, Adams County Chief Deputy Coroner, informed Today.com that Rivera was discovered in a hotel room in Gettysburg, Pa., on July 13. He was 54 years old. Pennewill also stated that Rivera’s passing was not suspicious in any way. Furthermore, the Annabelle doll was absent from the hotel room and Rivera was alone when he was found. The police report categorized the incident as a “natural” death.

Paranormal researchers have disclosed their individual encounters with Annabelle, as exemplified by Zak Bagans and Jason Hawes. For instance, the Ghost Adventures star, Zak Bagans, recounted his experience in an interview with Us Weekly on July 16: “In 2017, I investigated Annabelle when her owner brought her to my museum. My interaction with her left me quite unsettled and caused me to touch the doll, although the owner was not too pleased about it.” Meanwhile, Ghost Hunters alum Jason Hawes took to Facebook on July 15 to caution fans against spreading unfounded theories: “We are mourning the loss of a good man, Dan Rivera. He was an Army veteran, a loving father and husband, and someone who deeply cared for others. It’s disheartening to see posts blaming his death on entities like the Annabelle doll or attacking businesses such as Ghostly Images of Gettysburg Tours and other locations for hosting events. This needs to cease. His family is already going through a difficult time, so let us remember Dan for who he was, not create sensationalized narratives to gain attention.” Jason Hawes further emphasized the disrespectful exploitation of Rivera’s death by some individuals: “Unfortunately, some people are using his passing to advance their own agendas for personal gain. This is nothing short of despicable. Dan was a devoted family man, an admired paranormal investigator, and he left us far too soon. Let us focus on honoring Dan’s memory, not distorting the truth with fabricated stories.

After Rivera’s passing, his son, David, established a GoFundMe campaign, explaining that the funds would be used to cover the expenses of the funeral and support for Rivera’s four children.

In a message shared on the page, David wrote about his father’s renown as the lead paranormal investigator at NESPR, where he assisted numerous individuals during difficult times, providing them with comfort and a sense of security. However, what truly mattered to David was that his father was not just a famous man, but his beloved dad – a remarkable individual who loved profoundly and lived life to the fullest.

David also mentioned his father’s passion for working on classic cars while listening to classic rock and old school hip hop, his love for camping, and his cherished moments spent with family. His father’s smile, kindness, and dry wit always brightened up a room. Unfortunately, David was only able to share 25 years of his life with his dad, and he was ill-prepared, in terms of emotional, physical, and financial readiness, for his untimely departure.

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2025-08-02 21:47