Who Was Dan Rivera, Paranormal Investigator: Wife, Show And New Details Of His Death Allegedly By The 'Cursed' Annabelle Doll

Paranormal investigator Dan Rivera has died while on tour in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, prompting discussion and concern within the paranormal investigation community. Rivera, 54, was found unresponsive in his hotel room on 13 July. Authorities have stated the death appears to be natural, though an autopsy is pending.

Rivera was on the Devils on the Run Tour, a live paranormal event series that featured items from the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), including the Annabelle doll, widely described by paranormal enthusiasts as demonically possessed. Though authorities have ruled out foul play, public interest in the incident has grown due to Rivera's history with the doll and the timing of his death during the tour.

Military Veteran Turned Paranormal Researcher

Originally from Connecticut, Rivera was a senior investigator with NESPR and a former US Army veteran. He described experiencing paranormal phenomena from a young age and later became known for his knowledge of occult practices, including Santería, People reported. In addition to his investigative work, Rivera was a husband and father of four. His family has requested privacy as they grieve.

Rivera had recently attracted a wider audience through TikTok appearances with Ryan Buell, a paranormal investigator. He also served as a consulting producer on the Netflix series 28 Days Haunted, according to Entertainment Weekly. His shows featured historical insights on ghost lore and safety rituals, continuing the legacy of his mentors Ed and Lorraine Warren. He was also a frequent guest at supernatural conventions, where he led workshops on spiritual protection and investigative ethics.

His wife, Sarah, posted a touching tribute about her husband on Facebook saying: 'I've loved you from the moment we met. Your eyes, that smile..... it was all so written in the stars. You are the love of my life and will be forever. Until we meet again my love; may you be surrounded by God's eternal love and gilded light.'

Medical Emergency and Investigation Ongoing

On the day of his death, Rivera reportedly complained of illness. Emergency services were reported to have performed CPR at the scene but were unable to revive him, The Evening Sun reported. Authorities confirmed that the Annabelle doll was not present in the hotel room and had remained secured in his van at the time of the incident.

An autopsy is pending to determine the exact cause of death. NESPR officials have publicly dismissed speculation that Rivera's death was connected to any supernatural force. Tony Spera, director of the NESPR, said that the doll 'was never out of our sight', according to Newsweek. Rivera's history of taking meticulous precautions has been repeatedly noted by his colleagues.

Tributes and Legacy in the Paranormal World

Despite speculation online, experts within the paranormal community have cautioned against linking the death to folklore. 'It is important to separate entertainment from evidence,' one long-time NESPR collaborator said. 'Dan was a respected researcher who took precautions seriously. His passing is tragic but not mysterious.', according to The Guardian

Rivera's death leaves a significant gap in the NESPR team and the broader paranormal investigation field. Organisers have indicated that some future tour dates will go ahead in tribute to Rivera's legacy. Fans and colleagues alike have paid tribute online, describing him as both courageous and compassionate in his approach to the unknown.

While questions remain about the circumstances surrounding his sudden death, authorities continue to treat the case as a natural occurrence. In their latest report, the Pennsylvania State Police shared a report detailing what happened to Rivera on Sunday.

'Members from PSP Gettysburg responded to a hotel in Straban Township, Adams County for a report of a deceased. The decedent was discovered in his hotel room by workers.'

The report ended that nothing unusual or suspicious were found on the scene

'Nothing unusual or suspicious was observed at the scene,' the agency added, removing any suspicions of foul play - or anything paranormal.