54-Year-Old Paranormal Investigator and Army Veteran Dies After 'Annabelle' Doll Tour in Gettysburg — Details

A haunted doll tour turned tragic over the weekend, leaving one of its most recognized figures dead after a sold-out event in Gettysburg.

Dan Rivera, a 54-year-old Army veteran and the face of the viral "Devils on the Run Tour," died unexpectedly on July 13, 2025, during a stop in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. As the lead paranormal investigator for the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), Dan played a central role in bringing the haunted Annabelle doll to audiences nationwide — a mission cut short just hours after his final tour appearance.

Emergency services were dispatched to a Gettysburg hotel room on Sunday at approximately 8 p.m., after receiving a report of CPR in progress on a man matching Dan's description. He was later confirmed dead, and an investigation into the tragedy was opened by the coroner's office and state police.

According to the Evening Sun, the Adams County Coroner, Francis Dutrow, stated that Dan's cause of death remains pending the results of the autopsy, which are expected to take several months.

However, staff from the coroner's office clarified that there were no signs of foul play, and the paranormal researcher was discovered alone in the room.

The following evening, on July 14, Dan's death was confirmed in a Facebook post by NESPR, the organization founded by notorious paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Other members of the team expressed their heartbreak and thanked people for their support after this tragic news.

Additionally, on July 15, the team shared a longer statement on Instagram, describing Dan as more than a colleague — he was a trusted and cherished friend.

As a U.S. Army veteran, he was deeply committed to serving both his country and those around him. The team recalled his close work with Lorraine, highlighting how he stood by her with unwavering support and compassion, even as her health deteriorated.

The post also highlighted Dan's presence at events like "An Evening with Annabelle," alongside Lorraine, emphasizing his professional nature and desire for people to understand more about paranormal experiences.

According to the statement, the veteran was also deeply devoted to his faith and the spiritual part of his research. Additionally, the team acknowledged the people who followed Dan for his work but asked for privacy at this time, as he was first "a father, devoted husband, and loyal friend."

Anyone interested in the remaining events from the NESPR can be reassured, as those events will remain on the schedule; the post indicated that Dan would've wanted their work to continue.

"In life we leave a piece of ourselves with loved ones and friends on our journey until there are no more pieces to give away. You would think that is the end, but when you look back at all the pieces you gave away, those pieces will always be remembered. So, I say I will never die. My journey has only begun," they added, quoting the veteran's words.

The Gettysburg part of the "Devils on the Run Tour" was one of the most popular, with more than 1,200 tickets sold for the three-day weekend event, which concluded on Sunday afternoon.

Dan was a vital part of this success, as he had garnered international attention through social media videos made with another paranormal investigator, Ryan Daniel Buell.

However, the attention had also sparked backlash from many people over the doll's infamous backstory, which inspired the "The Conjuring" franchise, where Annabelle and the Warrens' other investigations were adapted into the big screen. This is now considered one of the most lucrative horror series in the world.

After Lorraine's death, her occult museum — a replica of which appears in the films — was maintained by their daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Tony Spera. Unfortunately, the venue closed in 2019, and several of the items have been displayed around the country.

In a tribute, Ryan explained that Dan "devoted his time, passionately, to keeping Ed and Lorraine's legacy alive." He also said that the army veteran had helped keep Warren's story alive with ParaCon, a convention that had been in Gettysburg just a year ago, and where NESPR had already brought Annabelle successfully.

Now, fans are left with the experiences Dan shared online. His Instagram remains public, and in one post from January 2024, he is standing in the woods with the NESPR and the Overnight teams.

In an image from 2023, Dan can be seen with the Warrens' Annabelle doll, not the one from the films. And in a post from August 2020, he can be seen with the NESPR team as they're teasing their visit to the "The Conjuring" House.

Aside from his work with NESPR and social media content, the veteran had also appeared in "Most Haunted Places" from Travel Channel as an investigator into the paranormal and was a producer for Netflix's "28 Days Haunted."

We extend our condolences to all those affected by this loss.