The abrupt demise of a paranormal investigator has ignited a fresh enigma, casting a shroud of mystery over the supernatural community. Dan Rivera, who was embarking on a nationwide tour showcasing the original Annabelle doll—immortalized in the chilling 'The Conjuring' movie series—suddenly passed away after a stop with the New England Society of Psychic Research (NESPR) in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He was 54 years old.
"With profound sorrow, Tony, Wade, and I announce the sudden and heart-wrenching loss of our dear friend and fellow investigator, Dan Rivera," penned Chris "Jeek" Gilloren, the lead investigator of NESPR, on the group's Facebook page on July 14th. "Our hearts are shattered, and we are still grappling with this devastating blow."
Gilloren continued to pay tribute to Rivera's legacy, stating, "Dan fervently believed in sharing his extraordinary experiences and educating individuals about the paranormal realm. His unparalleled kindness and infectious passion left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know him." He concluded, "Thank you for your unwavering support and heartfelt condolences during this incredibly difficult period."
The cause of Rivera's passing remained undisclosed. According to records accessed by USA Today, the Adams County Coroner listed it as "pending."
On the evening of July 13th, authorities were dispatched to a hotel in Gettysburg in response to a report of CPR being administered to a 54-year-old male, as revealed by Adams County dispatch scanner archives obtained by the outlet.
Just a day prior, NESPR hosted an exhibition featuring the Annabelle doll, the inspiration behind the terrifying character in the 'Conjuring' horror film saga. Typically housed at the Warrens' Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut—founded by demonologist Ed Warren and trance medium Lorraine Warren (portrayed by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga in the films).
According to the organization's website, the haunting narrative of Annabelle began in 1968 when a nursing student received a Raggedy Ann doll as a gift. "Upon bringing it home, she and her roommate soon noticed eerie occurrences involving the doll. They consulted a medium who revealed that the doll was possessed by the spirit of a young girl named Annabelle. Despite their efforts to coexist with the doll's spirit, it responded with malice and violent intentions," reads the NESPR website.
The Warrens were summoned to investigate and determined that the doll was "demonically possessed." "They removed the doll from the premises and enclosed it in a glass case to contain the malevolent entity," the site narrates.
NESPR's Devils On The Run Tour promises a "bone-chilling encounter" with the doll, which has reportedly "brought misfortune, harm, and even death to those who interacted with it improperly."
Rivera, a U.S. Army veteran and a native of Connecticut, dedicated over a decade to paranormal research and investigations, according to his bio on the NESPR website. "From a tender age, he was introduced to haunting phenomena, having witnessed paranormal events unfolding within his own home," his bio reveals. Additionally, he considered himself an expert in the rites and rituals of Santeria, a syncretic religion deeply rooted in Yoruba traditions and incorporating elements of Catholicism.
According to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, "Roughly 70 percent of Cubans practice one or more aspects of Santeria or other religious practices steeped in African traditions."
