Cause of Death Revealed for Annabelle Doll Handler Dan Rivera

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New details regarding Dan Rivera’s sudden death have come to light. 

Approximately two months ago, following the discovery of the paranormal researcher’s body in his Gettysburg, Pennsylvania hotel room on July 13, during a tour with the notorious Annabelle doll, an Adams County coroner has finally released the official cause of death, confirming it was cardiac-related.

In my expertise as a lifestyle advisor, I’d like to share some findings from a recent case. As I delve into it, it’s important to note that Mr. Rivera had a well-documented history of heart-related complications, aligning with the results we obtained. Moreover, it has been verified that at the moment of his passing, Annabelle was not in the same room.

Apart from the famous Annabelle doll, believed to have inspired The Conjuring films, not being at the scene, authorities who examined Rivera’s body reported finding nothing unusual or suspicious. However, the fact that Rivera died during his Annabelle-themed tour sparked widespread speculation online.

Due to the numerous theories sparked by Rivera’s passing, which was officially declared as natural on July 17th, Jason Hawes of Ghost Hunters felt compelled to issue a statement to debunk any conspiracies regarding the incident.

In a recent Facebook post dated July 16th, Hawes expressed that we have lost an exceptional individual. Dan Rivera was not just an Army veteran but also a loving father of four and devoted husband. What makes this loss even more difficult is the posts that are attempting to attribute his death to items such as the Annabelle doll.

Hawes strongly condemned the speculations linking the man’s late-life paranormal interests to his demise as “revolting.

As a devoted admirer, I’d like to share that Dan was more than just a paranormal investigator; he was a dedicated family man who held great respect in our community. Unfortunately, he departed from us prematurely. However, let’s take this moment to honor his memory by focusing on the remarkable person he was.

For over a decade prior to his passing, Rivera was an esteemed member of the New England Society of Psychic Research (NESPR). The group acknowledged him as a reliable and supportive figure for founders Lorraine Warren and Ed Warren, particularly in relation to the famous Annabelle doll. In the years leading up to Ed Warren’s death in 2019, Rivera was always there to provide a steadfast hand and consistent encouragement.

Rivera leaves behind his beloved spouse, Sarah Rivera, as well as four devoted sons. For further details about his passing, continue reading…

Before the unexpected passing of Dan Rivera on July 13, he had spent a significant part of his life exploring the mysterious and supernatural.

Dan’s strong belief led him to share his encounters and educate others about the paranormal, as stated in a Facebook post by the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) on July 14 following his death. His kindness and enthusiasm made an impact on everyone who knew him.

Born and raised in Connecticut, Dan worked closely with Lorraine Warren throughout his years, who, along with her husband Ed Warren, investigated spirits and demonology.

Later in life, Dan took his passion to the screen, appearing on Travel Channel’s “Most Haunted Places” and producing Netflix’s “28 Days Haunted.” However, paranormal investigations were just one aspect of his life. He also served in the U.S. Army and was a devoted family man.

As NESPR stated in their July 15 press release, Dan’s work sparked curiosity and fascination in many, but above all, he was a loving father, devoted husband, and loyal friend, cherished by those closest to him.

As a devoted enthusiast, I’d like to share an intriguing tale that I’ve come across. According to the NESPR website, a doll named Annabelle originated in the early 1970s when a mother bought it from a local store and gifted it to her college-aged daughter Donna. Donna and her roommate Angie began experiencing some unsettling incidents, as reported on the site. For instance, the doll seemed to mysteriously move around the house on its own, and inexplicable messages resembling those of a young child supposedly appeared.

The duo reached out to a medium who claimed that Annabelle was associated with a young girl named Annabelle, who was said to have been found dead in a field where their apartment building now stands. As the story unfolds, Donna and Angie contacted the Warrens, renowned paranormal investigators who determined that the doll was possessed by a demon. They took Annabelle from the apartment, securing her in a box.

This captivating tale has gained popularity among horror movie fans and served as inspiration for films like “The Conjuring” and “Annabelle.

As a dedicated follower in the team with the Warrens and NESPR, I’ve been entrusted with managing events and tours involving Annabelle – the infamous doll. Handling her requires utmost care, as I shared during an interview with radio station i95Rock in 2022: ‘I take great precautions when moving that doll. I have to visit the church, confess my sins, and seek a priest’s blessing before I can even touch it.’

There have been peculiar occurrences too. For instance, after transferring the doll from the case I constructed back into its original one to perform repairs, I had to leave the museum that very evening because an unusual sensation overcame me – my leg started shaking violently, and I broke out in cold sweats. It was a feeling I’d never experienced before.

Rivera died from natural causes that were cardiac-related, as he had a pre-existing heart condition, according to the coroner’s announcement in September 2025.

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but share this news that sends shivers down my spine – on tour with the hauntingly enigmatic Annabelle doll, our beloved actor, Rivera, was tragically found in a hotel room in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, back in July 2025. At the tender age of 54, his life was suddenly cut short.

Scott Pennewill, Adams County Chief Deputy Coroner, shared this heartbreaking tale with Today.com, assuring us that Rivera’s death was nothing out of the ordinary or suspicious. The Annabelle doll, the very essence of our horror fascination, was not present in the hotel room, and Rivera was alone when he was discovered. A police report classified the incident as a “natural” death.

Rest in peace, my dear friend, your chilling performances will forever live on.

Paranormal researchers have recounted their personal encounters with Annabelle, as experienced by figures like Zak Bagans and Jason Hawes. For instance, Zak Bagans, the star of Ghost Adventures, shared in an interview with Us Weekly on July 16 that he had investigated Annabelle when her owner brought her to his museum in 2017. He admitted feeling a strong impact from the doll, which led him to handle it, much to the owner’s displeasure.

On the other hand, Ghost Hunters alum Jason Hawes took to Facebook on July 15 to express condolences for the loss of Dan Rivera, an Army veteran, father of four, and a respected paranormal investigator who had unfortunately passed away. Hawes urged fans not to spread conspiracy theories linking Rivera’s death to objects like the Annabelle doll or events at places such as Ghostly Images of Gettysburg Tours. He emphasized that this type of speculation is unnecessary and hurtful for Rivera’s grieving family.

Hawes further stated that some individuals are exploiting Rivera’s death to advance their own agendas, which he deemed despicable. Instead, Hawes called for a focus on remembering Dan Rivera as the family man and paranormal investigator he was, rather than turning his passing into sensationalized, fabricated tales intended to generate clicks or attention.

After Rivera’s passing, his son David set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the expenses of the funeral and support for Rivera’s four children. In a message on the page, David recalled his father’s work as the lead paranormal investigator at NESPR, where he helped many people during difficult times and provided comfort and a sense of security to those in need. But more than anything else, David remembered his father as a wonderful man who loved deeply and lived life to the fullest. He also shared that his father had a love for classic cars, classic rock, and old school hip hop, enjoyed camping, and treasured family time. His presence was always uplifting with his radiant smile, kindness, and dry wit. David lamented that he only got to spend 25 years with his dad and was not emotionally, physically, or financially prepared for his untimely death.

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2025-09-04 20:17