A 54-year-old paranormal investigator who was leading a national tour featuring the allegedly haunted Annabelle doll has died suddenly. Dan Rivera, the lead investigator of the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), passed away on Sunday in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He was part of a Devils on the Run Tour group that brought the haunted Raggedy Ann doll to multiple states.
Rivera, an army veteran, had been involved with NESPR since its founding and told tour participants about the precautions he took to protect them from the doll’s supposed hauntings. According to Rivera, Lorraine Warren, a paranormal investigator who previously owned the doll, advised people to close their eyes and envision themselves in a halo of white light to ward off the haunting.
The cause of death is currently undetermined pending an autopsy. Rivera was found alone in his hotel room, and there are no indications that his death was suspicious. NESPR has announced that it will continue with its events despite Rivera’s passing, citing their belief that he would have wanted the work to continue.
Rivera’s death comes as a shock to fans of paranormal investigations and those who followed his work through social media and other platforms. The New England Society for Psychic Research is mourning the loss of its lead investigator, remembering him for his integrity, creativity, and generosity.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/16/paranormal-investigator-annabelle-tour-dies