Paranormal Investigator Dan Rivera Dies at 54 After Haunted Doll Tour Event in Gettysburg

No foul play suspected; Rivera remembered for his compassion, service, and dedication to the supernatural

Rivera Found Unresponsive After Final Tour Stop

Dan Rivera, a well-known paranormal investigator and lead figure at the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), died suddenly at the age of 54 after hosting a sold-out haunted doll event in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Rivera was found unresponsive in his hotel room on Sunday, just hours after concluding the final stop of NESPR’s “Devils on the Run” tour, which featured the infamous Annabelle doll. Emergency responders attempted CPR but were unable to revive him, according to The Evening Sun.

Officials have confirmed that no foul play is suspected. The Adams County Coroner’s Office said an autopsy is pending—a standard procedure for deaths occurring outside a medical facility.

A Life Committed to the Paranormal

A U.S. Army veteran, devoted husband, and father of four, Rivera served as NESPR’s lead investigator, playing a key role in preserving and continuing the legacy of legendary paranormal researchers Ed and Lorraine Warren.

Over the years, Rivera appeared on Travel Channel’s Most Haunted Places and consulted on the Netflix series 28 Days Haunted. NESPR described him as “a deeply compassionate, loyal, and dedicated friend” who approached paranormal work with “a genuine desire to educate, help, and connect with others.”

In a tribute post, Ghostly Images of Gettysburg—organizers of the event—remembered Rivera as “a great man and a good friend,” expressing deep sorrow over his unexpected death.

Annabelle: The Haunted Doll That Drew Global Attention

The centerpiece of Rivera’s final tour was Annabelle, the notorious Raggedy Ann doll said to be possessed by a demonic force. The doll became a household name after inspiring The Conjuring film universe, starting with the 2013 horror blockbuster.

Annabelle’s legend dates back to 1970, when a nurse in Connecticut claimed the doll moved by itself, left chilling handwritten notes, and physically harmed a friend. Though a psychic said the doll was inhabited by the spirit of a 7-year-old girl named Annabelle Higgins, the Warrens believed otherwise.

Ed and Lorraine Warren, NESPR’s founders, concluded the doll was being used by a “malevolent entity” masquerading as a child in order to manipulate and endanger its owners. The doll was eventually removed from the home and placed in the Warrens’ private occult museum.

Since the museum’s closure in 2019, the doll has only been moved under strict NESPR supervision, with Rivera playing a key role in safeguarding the artifact during public exhibitions.

Tributes From the Paranormal Community

Rivera’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief from colleagues and fans across the paranormal field.

Ryan Buell, creator of Paranormal State, wrote in a heartfelt online tribute: “He helped haunted families. He carried the Warrens’ mission forward… I also mourn his unfinished dreams and ideas for the future.” Buell also noted Rivera’s compassion, recalling how he cared for Lorraine Warren in her final years and supported Buell during his own personal struggles.

NESPR announced that the Devils on the Run tour will continue in Rivera’s honor, stating that his passion and legacy remain a guiding force for the team.

The organization also shared Rivera’s own words in a moving tribute:

“In life we leave a piece of ourselves with loved ones and friends. So, I say I will never die. My journey has only begun.”