New "Conjuring" Movie Pays Tribute to Paranormal Investigator Found Dead After Touring with 'Possessed' Annabelle Doll David ChiuSeptember 10, 2025 at 7:09 AM 0 New England Society for Psychic Research; Courtesy of Warner Bros.
- - New "Conjuring" Movie Pays Tribute to Paranormal Investigator Found Dead After Touring with 'Possessed' Annabelle Doll
David ChiuSeptember 10, 2025 at 7:09 AM
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New England Society for Psychic Research; Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
(R) A still from 'The Conjuring: Last Rites,' whose end credits include a dedication to the late Dan Rivera (L) -
Paranormal investigator Dan Rivera unexpectedly died on July 13 a day after he displayed the infamous Annabelle doll in Pennsylvania
The "demonically possessed" doll has been featured in the first Conjuring film as well as several spinoff movies
The filmmakers of the new movie The Conjuring: Last Rites included a dedication to Rivera in the end credits
The Conjuring: Last Rites, the latest installment in the horror movie franchise, paid tribute to Dan Rivera, the paranormal investigator who died after an event showcasing the real-life Annabelle doll, which was popularized in the films.
Rivera, a senior lead investigator for the Connecticut-based New England Society for Psychic Research, died on July 13 at the age of 54, one day after an event in Gettysburg, Pa., showcasing the alleged "demonically possessed" toy as part of the Devils on the Run tour.
Three days after Rivera's death, the Pennsylvania State Police shared a report detailing what happened to him, saying he was discovered dead in his hotel room and that "nothing unusual or suspicious was observed at the scene."
Earlier this week, his cause of death was revealed to be cardiac-related and was ruled as natural.
"Mr. Rivera had a known history of cardiac issues, which were consistent with the findings. It is also confirmed that Annabelle was not present in the room at the time of his passing," the coroner said, as if to dispel speculation that the doll had any connection to his death.
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This photo from July 12, 2025, shows Dan Rivera speaking to visitors as they view the original Annabelle doll
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Michael Chaves, the director of The Conjuring: Last Rites, which opened in theaters on Friday, Sept. 5, described Rivera's passing as "tragic" and a "curveball."
"The poor guy," Chaves told the outlet. "We wanted to just handle it as respectfully as possible."
Chaves added that everyone involved in the film discussed how the tribute should be handled and that they ultimately landed on including a dedication to Rivera in the film's end credits.
Following his death, Rivera, also a U.S. Army Veteran, was remembered by the New England Society for Psychic Research.
"Dan's passion for the paranormal was rooted in a genuine desire to educate, help, and connect with others — whether through social media, conventions, or investigations with local families seeking understanding and peace," the organization said in a previous statement. "We understand that Dan's work inspired fascination and curiosity for many, but above all, he was a father, devoted husband, and loyal friend, someone who meant the world to those closest to him."
According to the society, the Annabelle doll's origin goes back to 1968, when a student nurse was gifted the Raggedy Ann doll, and brought it to the home where she lived with her roommate.
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"Almost immediately, the roommates noticed strange occurrences with the doll and they were introduced to a medium who told them the doll was inhabited by the spirit of a young girl named Annabelle," the organization wrote.
The society added that its founders, paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, were called in and determined that the doll was possessed. They then took the doll from the home and stored it in a glass box "to contain the evil spirited entity."
The story of Annabelle and the Warrens achieved widespread fame through The Conjuring movies.
The doll, which looks very different in the films, made an appearance in the first Conjuring film in 2013 and became such a fan favorite that she received her own spinoff movie, Annabelle, in 2014. That was followed by Annabelle: Creation and Annabelle Comes Home in 2017 and 2019, respectively.
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