


The Adams County coroner reportedly cleared up some of the mystery surrounding the shocking death of paranormal investigator Dan Rivera.
Rivera passed away in July at the age of 54 while touring with the notoriously haunted Annabelle doll featured in the horror movies The Conjuring, Annabelle, Annabelle: Creation and Annabelle Comes Home. He was pronounced dead when he was found unresponsive in his hotel during a tour stop in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, according to reports at the time.
Francis Dutrow, the Adams County coroner, confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that Rivera passed from natural causes. But the coroner also clarified whether the haunted doll was also present in the room at the time of his death, considering Rivera was seen handling the doll just days before.
“Mr. Rivera had a known history of cardiac issues, which were consistent with the findings,” Dutrow said in a statement to EW. “It is also confirmed that Annabelle was not present in the room at the time of his passing.”
Police also reported at the time that they found “nothing unusual or suspicious” at the scene.

Rivera was a lead paranormal investigator for the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), the organization founded by Ed and Lorraine Warren whose work inspired The Conjuring movies. He previously appeared in the Travel Channel’s Most Haunted Places and produced 28 Days Haunted.
At the time of his passing, Rivera was touring America with the haunted doll, inspiring conspiracy theories surrounding his death.
But Annabelle has a new handler now.
Comedian Matt Rife and YouTube star Elton Castee recently became the new owners of the Warrens’ infamous Connecticut home and museum, as well as the hundreds of “haunted” artifacts presented in the museum – including the Annabelle doll itself.
NESPR released a statement remembering Rivera after he passed.
“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.”
The Annabelle movies can be streamed on HBO Max.