Annabelle doll handler dies unexpectedly

The man in charge of the real life doll that inspired the Annabelle horror film has suddenly died in the US while on a nationwide tour with the doll.

The handler of the doll that inspired the horror film series Annabelle has suddenly died, according to local media.

Dan Rivera, 54, passed away unexpectedly in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania – the site of a major US civil war battle – on Sunday.

He was the lead investigator for the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) and had been on a US tour with the original Annabelle doll.

“It’s with deep sadness that (we) share the sudden passing of our close friend and partner, Dan Rivera. We are heartbroken and still processing this loss,” a statement on NESPR’S Facebook page stated.

The doll from the movie Annabelle. Picture: Gregory Smith.

The actual doll is somewhat different in appearance. Picture: Instagram

“Dan truly believed in sharing his experiences and educating people on the paranormal.

“His kindness and passion touched everyone who knew him.”

The Annabelle doll first became widely known following the 2013 horror movie The Conjuring, based on the work of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren.

A prequel, simply called Annabelle, premiered in 2014. Two further Annabelle films have since been released.

Annabelle doll handler Dan Rivera died on Sunday. Picture: Instagram

The real and reportedly possessed Annabelle doll, which is from the Warrens’ Occult Museum in Connecticut, was on display as part of the Devils on the Run Tour around the US.

According to local newspaper the Hanover Evening Sun, emergency services were called to a hotel in Gettysburg on Sunday to attend to Mr Rivera.

His cause of death is still being determined.

On Saturday, Mr Rivera spoke to event-goers in Gettysburg about the fame of the doll.

“I want you guys to have a good time,” he told the sold out group gathered at the Soldiers National Orphanage, according to the Evening Sun, before he led them into the room where Annabelle was in its case.

He told the crowd that the case was constructed of three crosses and had a stain which included holy water to “protect them” from the doll.

Scene from the movie Annabelle Comes Home. Warner Bros/Roadshow Pictures.

According to the museum it is housed in, the doll was given to a woman in 1970 who reported it could move independently. A psychic is said to have told them it was possessed by the spirit of a deceased child called Annabelle.

Its behaviour then reportedly became malicious. It eventually found its way to the Warrens. There is also plenty of scepticism over the claims made by the Warrens regarding the doll.

Last month, a minor panic occurred when it was claimed the Annabelle doll had vanished while on tour in New Orleans.

During that period, there was a prison breakout and plantation fire which some linked to the doll.

But the Warren Occult Museum said the doll was “safely back” in Connecticut.

“The doll was never out of our control,” the museum said in a statement.

“We take extreme precautions when handling or transporting the doll.”

Originally published as Annabelle doll handler dies unexpectedly