Inside the death of Annabelle doll handler Dan Rivera: Reason of Death revealed after two months

Official reports have confirmed that Dan Rivera, paranormal expert and handler of the Annabelle doll, passed away from cardiac related issues. Rivera’s death on July 13, 2025, stirred controversy after he was found dead in his hotel room while on tour with the Annabelle doll. Varying theories emerged tying his death to the infamous doll.

It would seem that such speculations were untrue, as Francis Dutrow, Adams County Coroner, cleared the air on Rivera’s cause of death in an official statement, revealing that the late actor’s history of cardiac issues was instrumental in his untimely passing.

"Mr. Rivera had a known history of cardiac issues, which were consistent with the findings. It is also confirmed that Annabelle was not present in the room at the time of his passing.”

Authorities who discovered the researcher’s body shared that “nothing unusual or suspicious was observed.”

History of the Annabelle doll explored as coroner reveals cause of Dan Rivera’s death

The New England Society for Psychic Research has described the Annabelle doll as “demonically possessed.” The doll was gifted to a student nurse in 1968, who took it to her home, which she shared with her roommate.

Strange things began happening in the room, and the roommates consulted a psychic who informed them that the doll was inhabited by the spirit of a young girl named Annabelle. The Psychic Society further reported:

"The two roommates tried to accept the doll’s spirit and please it only to have it reciprocate maliciousness and violent intent.”

Ed and Lorraine Warren, husband and wife and founders of the psychic society, had the doll removed from the home and placed in a glass box to contain the "evil-spirited entity.”

The doll inspired the popular Conjuring movie series. Ghost Hunters star Jason Hawes weighed in on the controversy surrounding Rivera’s death in a July 16 Facebook post. Hawes expressed disappointment over the narrative about Rivera’s death, saying:

"Dan Rivera was an Army veteran, a father of four, a husband, and someone who truly cared about people. What’s even harder to see right now are the posts blaming his death on things like the Annabelle doll.”

He added:

"Dan was a family man, a respected paranormal investigator, and he left this world way too soon. Let’s focus on remembering Dan for who he was."

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