Last Sunday, July 13, 2025, Dan Rivera, a 54-year-old paranormal researcher and former U.S. Army serviceman, died suddenly in his hotel room in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, during the “Devils on the Run Tour” organized by the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR).
Rivera was the main custodian of the Annabelle doll, famous for its alleged paranormal activity and linked to the well-known Ed and Lorraine Warren case that led to ‘The Conjuring’ saga.
Dan Rivera: His work and legacy
Rivera had been working under Lorraine Warren’s tutelage for decades. As NESPR’s lead investigator, he was responsible for guarding and transporting the legendary Annabelle doll, a Raggedy Ann specimen that, according to the Warrens, exhibited supernatural behavior, including spontaneous movements and threatening messages. .
In his presentations, he taught attendees to “mentally protect themselves,” recommending visualizing a halo of white light, according to media accounts such as The Evening Sun.
In addition, Rivera appeared in documentary programs such as Netflix’s 28 Days Haunted and Most Haunted Places, and was active in social networks, profiling himself as a popularizer of paranormal phenomena.
Ongoing investigations
The Adams County Coroner’s Office confirmed that his death shows no signs of criminality, and an official report is expected after the autopsy.
In the meantime, the tour organizers decided to continue with the presentations planned as a tribute to Rivera, following the legacy of the Warrens.
How does this affect the tour?
Rivera’s death was especially shocking because it occurred in a city with a paranormal history.
Despite the impact, NESPR announced that the tour will continue this summer in the United States, recalling that Dan would have wanted his work to continue.
Annabelle and her tour represent a window into the history of the occult, with fans of all kinds, including U.S. Hispanics.
Rivera combined horror narratives with spiritual self-care guidelines, a useful element for Hispanics interested in the mystical.
La saga 'El Conjuro' se ha hecho muy popular en el cine y este año se estrenará la última parte que cierra con los casos de los Warren
The strange things around Annabelle
Dan Rivera, custodian of the supposedly cursed Annabelle doll and a reference in the paranormal world, died during a tour in Gettysburg.
The causes are still under investigation, but authorities rule out criminal suspicions. His legacy lives on: a passionate paranormal enthusiast who educated through tours and documentaries.
For the U.S. Hispanic community, his life is an example of dedication to the unexplainable, and his death a reminder of the fragility even in those who face the unknown.
Find out more at ‘QueOnnda.com’.
