The cause of death has been conclusively determined for the esteemed paranormal investigator, Dan Rivera, whose lifeless body was discovered in July, following an event showcasing the notorious Annabelle doll in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Rivera, a seasoned Army veteran and the senior lead investigator for the Connecticut-based New England Society for Psychic Research, passed away on July 13th, just a day after he had interacted with the purportedly haunted toy that has haunted the annals of horror tales for decades.
Francis Dutrow, the Adams County coroner, issued a statement on Thursday, September 4th, clarifying that Rivera's demise was cardiac-related and was deemed natural. "Mr. Rivera had a pre-existing condition involving cardiac issues, which aligned with the medical findings. Additionally, it is confirmed that Annabelle was absent from the room during his passing," Dutrow stated.
A report from the Pennsylvania State Police dated July 13th detailed the circumstances under which Rivera, aged 54, was found. "PSP Gettysburg responded to a hotel in Straban Township, Adams County, following a report of a deceased individual. The deceased was discovered in his hotel room by hotel staff, and no unusual or suspicious activities were observed at the scene," the report read.
Rivera had been in the company of his colleagues earlier that morning but had mentioned feeling unwell and intended to return to his room. However, the exact nature of his illness remained unclear, as per Dutrow's earlier statements to PEOPLE.
At the time of his demise, Rivera was part of a tour in Gettysburg to exhibit Annabelle, which the New England Society for Psychic Research describes as "demonically possessed." According to the society, Annabelle's history dates back to 1968 when it was gifted to a student nurse. The nurse brought the doll to her shared residence, where she and her roommate soon noticed peculiar occurrences. They consulted a medium who informed them that the doll was inhabited by the spirit of a young girl named Annabelle. Despite their attempts to coexist with the doll's spirit, it reciprocated with malice and violent intent.
Ed and Lorraine Warren, the founding couple of the society, subsequently removed Annabelle from the residence and enclosed it in a glass box "to contain the malevolent entity," where it resides to this day. Annabelle and the Warrens served as the inspiration for the horror film franchise 'The Conjuring.'
Harrison Jones, a journalist for the Hanover, Pennsylvania-based Evening Sun, attended the tour just a day before Rivera's passing. Speaking to PEOPLE afterward, Jones mentioned that Rivera "struck me as a genuinely kind and welcoming individual, and my heart aches for his family and colleagues." Jones joined a tour group and captured photos and videos as Rivera engaged with visitors before leading them to view the doll. "Mr. Rivera, accompanied by another NESPR investigator, Wade Kirby, recounted Annabelle's history and their experiences with the doll to the group. Among the discussions, Mr. Rivera shared how he had personally investigated the case and how he had designed various aspects from the perspective of his faith," Jones recounted.
Jones noted that although he didn't converse extensively with Rivera, the paranormal investigator "did inquire if I had obtained everything I needed from my visit and if I had captured good images during the tour." On July 14th, while Jones was working on his article about the event, he received the news of Rivera's death.
"Given the prior controversy surrounding the tour, it was evident that his death would immediately spark intense controversy and become intertwined with paranormal legend, regardless of the facts. However, in my reporting, I was primarily focused on acknowledging the human life lost at the center of this tragic news – Mr. Rivera, who had dedicated countless hours to sharing his passion for the paranormal," Jones told PEOPLE.
In a previous statement shared with PEOPLE, the New England Society for Psychic Research remembered Rivera not just as a "vital member of our team for over a decade but also as a profoundly compassionate, loyal, and committed friend." "Dan's passion for the paranormal stemmed from a genuine desire to educate, assist, and connect with others – whether through social media, conventions, or investigations with local families seeking understanding and peace," the society stated. "We acknowledge that Dan's work sparked fascination and curiosity for many, but foremost, he was a father, a devoted husband, and a loyal friend – someone who was invaluable to those closest to him. Out of respect for his family, we respectfully request privacy as they grieve this immense loss."
