Paranormal investigator Dan Rivera died suddenly while showcasing the famous Annabelle doll that has inspired several entries in The Conjuring franchise.
Rivera, 54, a senior lead investigator for the Connecticut-based New England Society for Psychic Research, died on Sunday, July 13, during his visit to Gettysburg, Penn., as part of the company’s Devils on the Run tour.
In a statement shared on Instagram, NESPR lead investigator Chris Gilloren announced the news. “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,” read the post. “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.”
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The original Annabell doll in ‘Mysteries at the Museum’.
Per the Evening Sun, emergency crews responded to the Gettysburg hotel on Sunday, where CPR was administered on the tour guide. A cause of death has not been disclosed.
The New England Society for Psychic Research did not immediately respond to Entertainment Weekly‘s request for comment.
According to the society’s website, Rivera was a Bridgeport, Conn. native who had worked on paranormal research and investigations for over 10 years. He previously served in the U.S. Army.
“At an early age he was introduced to haunting phenomena, having witnessed paranormal events occurring in his home,“ his bio read. Rivera, who was also a consulting producer on the Netflix show 28 Days Haunted, was frequently featured on NESPR’s social media accounts advertising events and offering fans a look at various haunted objects.
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The Annabelle doll in her self-titled 2014 horror spinoff.
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As part of the Devils on the Run tour, Rivera was showcasing the Raggedy Ann doll, named “Annabelle,” that the New England Society for Psychic Research described as “demonically possessed.” The doll’s origins date back to 1968, and serves as one of the most famous cases taken on by paranormal investigators and NESPR founders Ed and Lorraine Warren — the couple whose careers and case files have inspired The Conjuring franchise.
Annabelle first appeared in 2013’s The Conjuring before receiving her own spin-off franchise: 2014’s Annabelle, 2017’s Annabelle: Creation, and 2019’s Annabelle Comes Home.
