Nearly two months after shocking fans with his sudden passing, the cause of death for veteran ghost hunter and Annabelle handler, Dan Rivera, has finally been revealed.
Rivera, who was just 54, was found unresponsive in his hotel room on July 13 while in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, for the Devils on the Run tour.
Fans in Panic Over Annabelle Rumors
News of Rivera’s death quickly sent shockwaves across the paranormal community.
Fans flooded social media, with some begging for the tour to be canceled, fearing it might be linked to the infamous Annabelle doll.
Whispers of a “curse” began spreading rapidly online.
Autopsy Confirms a Natural Cause
Despite the chilling rumors, the truth was far less mysterious.
Adams County Coroner Francis Dutrow confirmed Rivera’s death was cardiac-related.
The autopsy matched his known history of heart issues.
Importantly, the Annabelle doll was not in the room when he passed.
The Legend of Annabelle
The doll’s reputation is what fueled much of the panic.
Annabelle, a Raggedy Anne doll, first gained notoriety in the 1970s through paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren.
They famously kept it locked inside a glass case in their occult museum and sternly warned people never to touch it.
According to their investigation, the doll wasn’t possessed by a child’s spirit as many thought, but manipulated by a darker, demonic presence.
A Tour That Stirred Fear and Controversy
The Devils on the Run tour, which began in May, brought Annabelle out of her case and into public view.
While it attracted massive crowds, it also sparked backlash.
Critics accused Rivera’s team of exploiting superstition, while believers warned of real dangers.
Things only intensified after strange incidents occurred during the tour — including claims the doll briefly disappeared, a resort fire in Louisiana, and even a prison escape shortly after Annabelle was exhibited in the state.
Online theories exploded, with many convinced the doll had “unleashed a curse.”
Rivera’s Role in Calming the Storm
Rivera, however, was quick to push back on the hysteria.
On TikTok and at events, he often explained the protective measures he had taken, including building a custom case stained with holy water and embedded with crosses.
He had a knack for blending humor with seriousness, leaning into the lore but also debunking the wildest rumors — such as claims that Annabelle had somehow caused a statewide 911 outage.
A Life Dedicated to the Paranormal
Rivera’s fascination with the supernatural wasn’t just a show act.
After serving in the U.S. Army, he built his own paranormal investigation team before becoming a protégé of Lorraine Warren herself.
She taught him spiritual protection practices, and he eventually rose to become the lead investigator for the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR).
His work spanned helping families with private hauntings, organizing conventions like ParaCon, and appearing on TV shows like Most Haunted Places and Netflix’s 28 Days Haunted.
Remembered With Love and Respect
The paranormal community poured out tributes after Rivera’s passing.
Fellow investigator Chris Gilloren said Rivera’s kindness and passion “touched everyone who knew him.”
Mary Jo Chudley of Penn Paranormal called him “a true legend” and “one of the funniest, most genuine guys.”
His Own Words About Life and Legacy
Rivera himself once wrote a touching reflection on the afterlife, inspired by his mentor Lorraine Warren.
In his words, the pieces of ourselves we share with others live on long after we’re gone.
“So I say I will never die. My journey has only begun,” he wrote in 2020.