Gettysburg, PA –Dan Rivera, a renowned paranormal investigator and respected figure in the field of supernatural research, was found dead on Saturday night while on tour with the infamous haunted doll “Annabelle.” He was 54 years old.
Rivera was discovered unresponsive in his hotel room in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, following a 911 call for emergency medical assistance. Despite lifesaving efforts, Rivera was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities from the Adams County Coroner’s Office and Pennsylvania State Police have stated that no foul play is suspected. An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death.
A Life Devoted to the Paranormal
Rivera was a key member of the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), the organization founded by famed demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren. A U.S. Army veteran from Bridgeport, Connecticut, Rivera became known across the country for his commitment to educating the public on paranormal phenomena, particularly through events, social media, and television appearances.
He was featured prominently in the Netflix series 28 Days Haunted and appeared on the Travel Channel’s Most Terrifying Places. Rivera also curated NESPR’s exhibit of supernatural artifacts and designed the protective glass case for Annabelle—widely believed to be one of the most dangerous haunted objects in existence.
His close colleague and NESPR director Tony Spera remembered Rivera as “a true friend, an honorable man, and a tireless ambassador of truth in the paranormal field.”
The Haunted Doll and the Tour
Annabelle, a Raggedy Ann-style doll at the center of countless terrifying legends, was the focal point of the Devils on the Run paranormal tour that Rivera had been co-hosting. The doll, which inspired a series of Conjuring universe films, has been linked to allegedly demonic activity for decades. It had never before left its protective casing until recent years when NESPR began touring the doll under strict security measures.
Rivera was in charge of both the doll’s transportation and its safety protocol during public events. His tour stops often included lectures on demonic lore, artifact handling, and paranormal theory. The Gettysburg event was one of the tour’s most anticipated engagements.
NESPR confirmed that the doll was not in Rivera’s hotel room at the time of his death and remained secured in the tour vehicle.
Community and Industry Reaction
Tributes have poured in from fellow paranormal investigators, fans, and veterans of the supernatural field. “Dan was the kind of person who gave far more than he took,” one colleague shared. “He educated people, comforted families in distress, and helped bring legitimacy to paranormal research.”
A statement from Rivera’s family read, “Dan lived with purpose and passion. He believed in the unknown, but he lived in the light. Our hearts are broken.”
The Rivera family has requested privacy during this time and thanked the public for the outpouring of support.
Tour to Continue in His Honor
Dan Rivera, a renowned paranormal investigator and respected figure in the field of supernatural research, was found dead on Saturday night while on tour with the infamous haunted doll “Annabelle.” He was 54 years old.
Rivera was discovered unresponsive in his hotel room in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, following a 911 call for emergency medical assistance. Despite lifesaving efforts, Rivera was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities from the Adams County Coroner’s Office and Pennsylvania State Police have stated that no foul play is suspected. An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death.
Despite the tragic loss, NESPR has announced that the Devils on the Run tour will continue as planned, a decision made in accordance with Rivera’s vision and commitment to public education.
“Dan would have wanted the work to go on,” Spera said. “He believed in confronting fear, not running from it. We will honor him the best way we know how—by continuing the mission.”
A public memorial is being planned by NESPR and Rivera’s family, with details to be announced in the coming days.
