54-year-old paranormal investigator dies suddenly while traveling with 'demonic' Annabelle doll

Sounding like the plot of a new movie set in the world of The Conjuring, a paranormal investigator who'd been escorting the supposedly ‘possessed' Anabelle doll across the United States has been found dead in his hotel room.

The demonic doll rose to popularity after it was featured in the Conjuringverse movies, leading to her own trilogy of Anabelle spin-off movies from 2014 to 2019.

Although the movie version of Annabelle bears little resemblance to her real-life Raggedy Ann counterpart, events surrounding the doll sound like they've been pulled straight from the fictional horror franchise.

As reported by the Evening Sun, a leading paranormal investigator with the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) was found unresponsive in his Pennsylvania hotel room.

The outlet states that 54-year-old Dan Rivera had been accompanying the Annabelle doll during her Gettysburg leg of the 'Devils on the Run Tour'.

The NESPR made the announcement, confirming the army veteran was discovered in his hotel room on Sunday, July 13.

Firefighters and medical professionals attended the scene after 8 pm following a report of CPR in progress on a male who matches Rivera's age.

Adams County Coroner Francis Dutrow told the Evening Sun that the cause of death is pending an autopsy, with final results potentially taking months.

Still, statements from the coroner's office personnel confirmed Rivera's death wasn't being treated as suspicious and that he was found alone in his room.

There are sure to be plenty of conspiracy theories, especially as Rivera's death comes following warnings on TikTok about moving Annabelle from her home.

A series of unexplained disasters seemed to accompany her on the tour, including a Louisiana plantation house fire, a New Orleans prison break, and destruction of so-called voodoo queen Marie Laveau's home due to another fire.

Paranormal investigator Dan Rivera dies suddenly at 54 while traveling across the US with the real ‘haunted’ Annabelle doll. pic.twitter.com/1ArYrmvPXW

— Creepy.org (@creepydotorg) July 15, 2025

After celebrating a sold-out leg of the tour that ended on July 13, it's tragic that Rivera was found deceased just hours later. Responding to his death, Rivera's family took to Facebook and posted a heartbreaking statement: "We as a family are in pieces as we share the news that Dan Rivera has passed away unexpectedly.

"He was the center of this family and a pillar of love and strength.

"As a devoted husband, father of four sons, and a staunchly faithful friend, he always had a quiet source of resilience, strength and endless hope. Daniel carried a light and a brave heart everyday through his life and his work.

"We are currently at a loss for words as we process his loss but are extremely thankful for the love, support and respect during this unimaginable time."

The Evening Sun attended the final audience with Rivera and Annabelle, with the outlet saying he seemed in high spirits as he told the crowd: "I want you guys to have a good time."

It was also said that Rivera joked, "We did not burn down that plantation," and, "We did not free those prisoners." Another tragedy has befallen the 'Devils on the Run Tour', and as theories swirl, something tells us it won't be long until Annabelle 4 gets the green light from the Warner Bros. bigwigs.