Dan Rivera Cause of Death Revealed

Dan Rivera, a 54-year-old paranormal investigator and Army veteran who was on tour in Gettysburg with the Annabelle doll, was found dead in a hotel room on July 13.

The Adams County coroner confirmed to Newsweek that Rivera’s death was a natural, “cardiac-related” event and stated that the Annabelle doll was not present in the room at the time of his passing.

The Context

Online speculation followed Rivera’s unexpected death who was participating in a traveling exhibition featuring the Raggedy Ann doll known as Annabelle—who is thought to be possessed by a demonic entity and inspired the 2013 film The Conjuring.

What To Know

Adams County Coroner Francis Dutrow said in a statement to Newsweek that Rivera’s autopsy results determined his death to be “cardiac-related.”

“Mr. Rivera had a known history of cardiac issues, which were consistent with the
findings,” she said. “It is also confirmed that Annabelle was not present in the room at the time of his passing.”

Dutrow added: “We extend our condolences to Mr. Rivera’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

Rivera, the lead investigator at the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), had been in Pennsylvania for the sold-out “Devils on the Run Tour” with the Annabelle doll. According to KTLA, Annabelle was on display in Adams County from July 11 to 13. The doll is usually housed at the Warrens’ Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut, which was founded by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren in the 1950s.

What People Are Saying

Harrison Jones, a Pennsylvania-based journalist who attended the tour one day before Rivera’s death, told People he was “kind and very welcoming.”: “Mr. Rivera, along with another of NESPR’s investigators, Wade Kirby, spoke to the group about Annabelle’s history and their experiences working with the doll. Among those discussions, Mr. Rivera spoke about how he had built the case that Annabelle was in himself, and that he had designed many aspects from the perspective of his faith.”

The NESPR first announced Rivera’s death in a statement posted to Facebook: “It’s with deep sadness that Tony, Wade, and I share the sudden passing of our close friend and partner, Dan Rivera. We are heartbroken and still processing this loss. Dan truly believed in sharing his experiences and educating people on the paranormal. His kindness and passion touched everyone who knew him. Thank you for your support and kind thoughts during this difficult time.”

Ghost Hunters star Jason Hawes addressed Annabelle talks surrounding Rivera’s death in a Facebook post: “Recently the World lost a good man. Dan Rivera was an Army veteran, a father of four, a husband, and someone who truly cared about people.

“What’s even harder to see right now are the posts blaming his death on things like the Annabelle doll and attacking places like Ghostly Images of Gettysburg Tours and other locations for having events. That needs to stop. His family shouldn’t have to read that kind of nonsense while they’re grieving.

“Some people are using his passing to push an agenda for profit, and it’s just disgusting. Dan was a family man, a respected paranormal investigator, and he left this world way too soon.

“Let’s focus on remembering Dan for who he was, not turning his death into some made up bull**** story to get clicks or attention.

“Honor the man. Forget the garbage.”

Ghost Adventures star Zak Bagans shared with Us Weekly: “My thoughts and prayers go out to [Rivera’s] family and friends. I can only speak to my experiences with Annabelle. I did have the opportunity to investigate Annabelle when the owner brought her to my museum in 2017. I got very affected by her and it kind of caused me to touch the doll. The owner didn’t like that too much. It was a demonic infestation and severely affected me, and I was literally in the hospital the next day. It was a two-month-long attachment and one of the worst experiences of my life.”