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Paranormal investigator and handler of Annabelle doll dies suddenly while on tour

Dan Rivera was the senior lead investigator of the New England Society of Psychic Research.

The original Annabelle doll, belonging to the New England Society of Psychic Research. Barry Chin / The Boston Globe

July 16, 2025

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The senior lead investigator of the New England Society of Psychic Research, Dan Rivera, died at a Pennsylvania hotel on Sunday while on tour with an allegedly possessed doll, according to People.

Rivera, 54, of Connecticut, was in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for the Devils on the Run tour with the “possessed” Raggedy Ann doll named Annabelle — the inspiration for the Annabelle doll in The Conjuring movie franchise, according to the Evening Sun.

Emergency personnel administered CPR to a 54-year-old man at the hotel, according to dispatch records obtained by People.

“Dan’s passion for the paranormal was rooted in a genuine desire to educate, help, and connect with others — whether through social media, conventions, or investigations with local families seeking understanding and peace,” the New England Society of Psychic Research said in a Facebook post.

NESPR was founded by paranormal investigators Ed Warren and his wife, Lorraine Warren, who worked on The Conjuring films and whom Rivera helped support until her death in 2019.

“His caring nature and sense of purpose made a deep impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,” the society said.

According to the post, Rivera once said, “In life we leave a piece of ourselves with loved ones and friends on our journey until there are no more pieces to give away. You would think that is the end, but when you look back at all the pieces you gave away, those pieces will always be remembered. So, I say I will never die. My journey has only begun.”

Kiss 108’s Gianna Gravalese wrote in an Instagram story that she visited the NESPR museum a few years ago and “had the privilege of learning so much from Dan.”

As Rivera’s death circles the media landscape, she wrote, “let’s be respectful when reporting on someone’s death rather than trying to write a horror movie.”

“We understand that Dan’s work inspired fascination and curiosity for many,” the society said on Facebook, “but above all, he was a father, devoted husband, and loyal friend, someone who meant the world to those closest to him.”

Rivera’s cause of death has not been shared at this time.

“We want to share that, although we do not know what the future of NESPR will look like without Dan, we do plan to move forward with the events previously scheduled for this year,” the society wrote.