Dan Rivera, lead investigator for the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) and handler of the infamous Annabelle doll, died unexpectedly on July 13 while on the "Devils on the Run" haunted tour in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He was 54. His death was confirmed by NESPR, although the exact cause remains unknown.
Rivera was in Gettysburg, a historic town often cited as one of the most haunted in the U.S., hosting sold-out events at the Soldiers National Orphanage through Ghostly Images of Gettysburg Tours. First responders were dispatched to his hotel late Sunday for a cardiac emergency matching Rivera’s age, according to Adams County dispatch records.
A U.S. Army veteran, Rivera was a prominent figure in the paranormal community. He joined NESPR in 2011, mentored by famed investigator Lorraine Warren before her passing in 2019. He helped maintain the Warrens’ legacy through tours and media, often appearing on television shows like Most Haunted Places and producing content for Netflix’s 28 Days Haunted.
Annabelle, the doll Rivera toured with, became infamous in the 1970s and inspired The Conjuring horror franchise. Though skeptics dismiss its alleged supernatural ties, many remain superstitious. The traveling tour, launched in May 2025, drew both fascination and controversy. Social media users blamed the doll for a fire in Louisiana and a prison break in New Orleans—claims Rivera publicly refuted in viral TikTok videos. He also clarified that Annabelle had no connection to a temporary 911 alert outage in Pennsylvania.
Rivera, known for his charisma and dedication, used spiritually symbolic protections for the doll, including a hand-built case infused with holy water and marked with crosses. At the Gettysburg event, he reminded attendees of guidance he’d learned from Lorraine Warren, urging them to visualize a "halo of white light" for protection.
Tributes poured in following his death. Fellow NESPR investigator Chris Gilloren praised Rivera’s passion for educating the public about the paranormal. Paranormal researcher Mary Jo Chudley called him “a true legend” and “one of the kindest and funniest guys.”
His close colleague Ryan Daniel Buell described Rivera as deeply devoted to continuing the Warrens’ mission. Rivera’s own words in a 2020 tribute to Lorraine Warren now resonate more deeply: “When you look back at all the pieces you gave away, those pieces will always be remembered... I will never die. My journey has only begun.”
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