Authorities in Pennsylvania have provided new details about the paranormal investigator who was suddenly found dead during a tour where he was exhibiting the famous Raggedy Ann doll, known as "Annabelle" and considered to be possessed.
Dan Rivera, 54, a principal investigator for the Connecticut-based New England Psychical Research Association, died Sunday, July 13, during his visit to Gettysburg as part of the "Devils on the Run" tour.
According to the Pennsylvania State Police report, Rivera had notified colleagues earlier in the day that he was feeling unwell and had returned to his room to rest.
The tour Rivera was on was called “Devils on the Run,” a series of events dedicated to paranormal stories and artifacts. The Gettysburg stop included the introduction of the Annabelle doll, a classic Raggedy Ann-style doll that, according to urban legends, is possessed by a malevolent entity.
The Annabelle doll is part of the well-known story of Ed and Lorraine Warren, renowned paranormal investigators who in the 1970s claimed that the doll was the source of dangerous and mysterious activity. It is currently kept in a sealed glass case in the Warren family's private museum.
Dan Rivera had more than 10 years of experience in the field of paranormal investigations and was part of the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), the organization founded by the Warrens themselves. He was also a hugely popular figure on TikTok and a consulting producer on the Netflix series “28 Days Haunted.”
In a statement to the public, NESPR expressed shock at the loss:
"Dan was not only an essential part of the team for over a decade, but also a dear friend, with high integrity and a genuine passion for helping others. He impacted many people through his work, whether in the field, at events or through social media."
The association confirmed that events planned for the rest of the year will continue, in honor of Rivera's work and passion:
“We strongly believe that Dan would have wanted the work to continue, to bring people together, to share knowledge, and to keep the Warren family legacy alive.”
Source: People
