Paranormal investigator, 54, dies suddenly on 'Annabelle' haunted doll tour

Dan Rivera, a paranormal investigator in the United States, was found dead following a scheduled leg of a tour in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, which featured the allegedly haunted doll "Annabelle".

Rivera was 54.

He was known for leading the 2025 “Devils on the Run Tour”, which he helped gain nationwide attention in the last few months as a result of his TikTok presence.

Found in hotel room

He was found dead alone by workers in the evening hours of Jul. 13 in his hotel room in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Evening Sun reported.

Firefighters and medical staff were called to the hotel at about 8pm.

The Adams County Coroner’s Office said Rivera’s death did not appear suspicious.

The cause of death has not been determined yet.

An autopsy will be conducted.

Rivera is survived by his four sons and his wife.

His wife, Sarah Rivera, wrote two posts on Facebook on Jul. 14, 2025.

“We as a family are in pieces as we share the news that Dan Rivera has passed away unexpectedly,” she wrote.

She added: “He was the center of this family and a pillar of love and strength. As a devoted husband, father of four sons, and a staunchly faithful friend, he always had a quiet source of resilience, strength and endless hope. Daniel carried a light and a brave heart everyday through his life and his work. We are currently at a loss for words as we process his loss but are extremely thankful for the love, support and respect during this unimaginable time.”

Speculation about what happened

But paranormal enthusiasts and fans of Rivera’s are speculating about what happened.

The “Devils on the Run Tour” had just completed its Gettysburg stint on Jul. 13, 2025 afternoon, which was just hours before Rivera's death.

The tour was held at the Soldiers National Orphanage.

Rivera, a U.S. Army veteran, worked with the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR).

He was featured on the "Most Haunted Places" on Travel Channel as a paranormal investigator.

He had also worked as a producer on "28 Days Haunted" on Netflix.

Doll was to make appearance in October as part of tour

The Annabelle doll was scheduled to appear as part of “The Devils on the Run Tour” from July 11 to 13, 2025.

The figurine was previously held at the Warrens’ Occult Museum in Connecticut.

The allegedly haunted doll was scheduled to appear in Rock Island, Illinois, on Oct. 4 and 5, 2025, as part of the tour.

Annabelle considered a haunted doll

Annabelle is considered a haunted doll.

She had been kept in a glass case for years by late paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, who was Rivera’s mentor.

The couple were portrayed in "The Conjuring" films and worked on several infamous cases of reported hauntings, including Amityville.

The duo investigated the doll in the 1970s.

This was after a 28-year-old nursing student named Donna from Connecticut claimed the figurine could move by itself and appeared malicious.

The Warrens said a psychic medium informed them that the doll was possessed by a dead girl named "Annabelle".

The Warrens kept her in a glass case to prevent the supposedly possessed doll from harming anyone.

Top photos via Dan Rivera Instagram & user11662727_ TikTok