Just hours after leading a sold-out crowd through the dark history of the demonic doll Annabelle, legendary paranormal investigator Dan Rivera was found dead in his Gettysburg hotel room.
Rivera, 54, was the lead investigator for the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), founded by famed demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren. NESPR gained notoriety for investigating some of the world’s most infamous hauntings—including The Amityville Horror, the Enfield Poltergeist, and the cursed Annabelle doll.
Annabelle, a seemingly harmless Raggedy Ann doll, is said to be possessed by a demonic entity. The Warrens believed it was so dangerous, they locked it in a glass case to contain its evil.
Rivera, mentored by Lorraine Warren, joined NESPR officially in 2011. Known for his charisma and curiosity, he dedicated his life to demystifying the paranormal.
In May, Rivera launched the “Devils on the Run Tour,” escorting Annabelle across the U.S. The final stop was in Gettysburg, where he told a packed audience, “What Lorraine would say to protect yourself is to close your eyes and envision a halo of white light.”
The next day, Rivera was found dead. Authorities report no signs of foul play, and the cause remains unknown pending autopsy results.
In a 2020 Facebook tribute, Rivera reflected: “In life, we leave a piece of ourselves… So, I say I will never die. My journey has only begun.”
Now, the paranormal world is left wondering: was his death a tragic coincidence—or did Annabelle claim another victim?
One thing is certain: you don’t have to believe in ghosts for them to haunt you.