Dan Rivera dies: Revisiting the alleged true story of the haunted Annabelle doll and the Warrens

Dan Rivera, the paranormal researcher, tragically died in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, during his tour across the US to showcase the Annabelle doll, described as "demonically possessed."

The doll has become a part of pop folklore since its introduction through the Conjuring movie franchise. As a senior lead investigator at the NSEPR (New England Society for Psychic Research) from Connecticut, Rivera was joined by members from the company. They were reportedly present in Gettysburg as part of their "Devils on the Run" tour.

Rivera was 54 years old at the time of his death. He had been a part of the Travel Channel show, Most Haunted Places. Rivera also served as a producer on 28 Days Haunted, on Netflix, among other shows.

What is the original story behind the allegedly haunted Annabelle doll?

A still from the Annabelle movie (Image via YouTube/Warner Bros.)

According to the official NESPR website, the origins of Annabelle are traced back to the 1970s, when an American nursing student named Donna received a raggedy doll from her mother. She and her roommate, Angie, mysteriously noticed the doll move and discovered notes found on parchment paper, asking for help.

The matter escalated as Donna reportedly noticed a liquid red substance on the doll. It led her and Angie to seek the help of a clairvoyant, who related the story to a young girl named Annabelle, who tragically died in the house where Donna's apartment was later built. Eventually, Donna sought help from the Warrens, who took the doll with them.

The doll was eventually kept inside a glass case in the Warren Occult Museum at the NESPR premises. In the recent past, the original Raggedy Ann doll was speculated to have escaped the case. Soon, Dan Rivera reportedly shared a video clarifying that the doll has not left the case in Connecticut.

NESPR was founded by Ed and Lorraine Warren, who have reportedly investigated over 100 paranormal cases besides the Annabelle doll. They were later played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga in the Conjuring movie series. Wilson and Farmiga will soon reprise these roles in 2025's The Conjuring: Last Rites.

Here are the details revealed so far about Dan Rivera's unfortunate passing

Upon Dan Rivera's passing, Chris Gilloren, the lead investigator in NESPR, shared the following note on social media, announcing the news (per Entertainment Weekly). Here's the post:

"It’s with deep sadness that Tony, Wade, and I share the sudden passing of our close friend and partner, Dan Rivera. We are heartbroken and still processing this loss. Dan truly believed in sharing his experiences and educating people on the paranormal. His kindness and passion touched everyone who knew him. Thank you for your support and kind thoughts during this difficult time."

The cause of Dan Rivera's death has reportedly not been disclosed. Per the official NESPR website, here's the bio for the paranormal investigator:

"Dan Rivera has been involved in paranormal research and investigations for over a decade. Born and raised in Bridgeport, CT, at an early age, he was introduced to haunting phenomena, having witnessed paranormal events occurring in his home. Dan is a US Army veteran and is an expert in the rites and rituals of Santeria."