Dan Rivera, paranormal investigator and handler of Annabelle doll, dies
A paranormal investigator from Connecticut and one of the handlers of the Annabelle doll died suddenly while on tour in Pennsylvania.
Dan Rivera was 54.
"Dan truly believed in sharing his experiences and educating people on the paranormal. His kindness and passion touched everyone who knew him," the New England Society for Psychic Research posted on Facebook on Monday.
When asked to describe Rivera, friend and colleague Carl L. Johnson used the words courageous, considerate, and innovator.
"Dan just wanted to get to the bottom of things," Johnson said. "He showed you can research; you can be an explorer of the paranormal, a seeker of the supernatural without having airs about you, without having to be on a television show or wanting to be in the movies."
Rivera devoted his life to researching and sharing his knowledge of the paranormal. Johnson said he was mentored by Lorraine Warren, a paranormal investigator associated with "The Conjuring."
"He was a very, very close friend of Lorraine Warren and he was her comfort in her last four years," Johnson said.
Rivera was part of a group that was traveling with the doll in the "Devils on the Run Tour" in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, over the weekend, the Hanover Evening Sun reported.
Today.com reported that Rivera died in his hotel room.
"His death was nothing suspicious," Adams County Chief Deputy Coroner Scott Pennewill told NBC.
Pennewill said the doll was not in the room and that Rivera was found alone.
No cause of death was released. Autopsy results were pending.
The original Annabelle -- a Raggedy Ann doll -- is said to be possessed.
A version of the doll was made famous by "The Conjuring" movies.
The film franchise also brought to prominence alleged paranormal activity at a house in Harrisville, Rhode Island.
A GoFundMe has been created to support Rivera's family.
NBC 10's Mike Cerullo contributed to this report.
