How Much Did Matt Rife Pay to Take Over the Warrens' Occult Museum and the Haunted Annabelle Doll?

Comedian Matt Rife, best known in the United States for his stand-up tours and large social media following, has become the legal guardian of the infamous Annabelle doll and the new owner of the Warren Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut. The museum was founded by the late paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, whose case files inspired The Conjuring film franchise.

While the full cost of the deal has not been disclosed, available property records and local valuations offer some insight. The transaction includes the former Warrens' home, the museum building, and temporary custodianship of more than 750 reportedly haunted artefacts, most notably Annabelle.

Announcement and Background

Rife announced the acquisition on TikTok and Instagram, confirming that he partnered with fellow entertainer Elton Castee. The pair now own the Monroe house and hold guardianship over the museum's contents, although they do not have permanent ownership of the artefacts. Instead, they act as caretakers for a period of at least five years.

Located at 30 Knollwood Street, the house spans 2,544 square feet and includes four bedrooms. Neither Rife, his representatives, nor the sellers have publicly disclosed a purchase price.

Estimated Value and Scope of the Deal

While no official sale price has been disclosed, listings on Realtor.com and Zillow place the value of the Monroe property at between US $551,000 and $683,000, averaging around $627,000 (roughly £490,000). With the museum contents and guardianship rights included, it is plausible the total transaction approached US $1 million (approximately £753,000). However, no verified financial figures have been released, The Express Tribune reported.

With an estimated net worth of US $50 million (about £37.6 million), Rife is thought to have been in a position to finance the purchase either directly or through a combination of cash and lending, according to Forbes.

What the Guardianship Entails

Alongside the property, Rife and Castee now serve as legal guardians of the Warren museum's collection, which includes over 750 haunted artefacts and the notorious Annabelle doll. They will hold this custodial role for at least five years, but do not own the artefacts outright, according to CT Insider.

The museum has been closed to the public since 2014 due to zoning regulations that prohibit a museum in the residential neighbourhood. Rife and Castee plan to seek approval to reopen the site for public tours, overnight stays and live‑streamed events.

Cultural and Commercial Significance

Though financial specifics remain unclear, the purchase marks a unique crossover between celebrity, horror folklore and heritage tourism. Rife and Castee now control one of the most recognised collections of paranormal artefacts in the US.

Future costs are likely to include compliance renovations, local permit applications, and ongoing maintenance. Should the site reopen, it could attract dedicated fans of The Conjuring, paranormal enthusiasts and general visitors curious about the myths surrounding the Warrens' work.

Matt Rife's guardianship of Annabelle and stewardship of the Warren Occult Museum signals a rare blend of celebrity ownership and paranormal heritage. While the financial details remain undisclosed, the venture carries both cultural intrigue and operational challenges. If zoning hurdles are cleared and reopening plans succeed, the project could breathe new life into one of America's most talked‑about paranormal collections.