[Netherrealmer]

So this just happened — Dan Rivera, the guy who was in charge of the real Annabelle doll (yes, the one that inspired The Conjuring movies), has died suddenly. No foul play, no warning. He was on a nationwide tour with the doll, letting people see her up close, and now… he’s gone.

A little backstory if you don’t know:
The Annabelle doll is a real-life Raggedy Ann that Ed and Lorraine Warren (famous paranormal investigators) said was possessed by a demon. They kept her locked in a glass box in their museum and warned people not to touch her, disrespect her, or even joke about her. According to them, the doll has a history of hurting people who didn’t take her seriously.

But after the Warrens passed away, Dan Rivera became her new caretaker. Unlike the Warrens, though, he would take her out of the box and display her at public events across the country. People bought tickets to see her, take photos (from a distance), and hear spooky stories. A lot of paranormal fans were already side-eyeing this, saying it was disrespectful to treat her like a sideshow.

And now... Rivera is dead.
He was found in his hotel room right after a tour stop in Gettysburg. The official word is “natural causes,” but no one’s saying much beyond that.

So here’s my question to the forum:
If you were offered the job of taking care of the Annabelle doll — for a decent salary — would you accept?
She stays locked in her box, but she has to live in your house.
No tours, no touching. Just you, her, and that creepy history.

Would you take the gig… or nope the hell out of there?

[Tendz]

Nope. I don’t care how secure the box is, I’m not living with a doll that’s been blamed for accidents, injuries, or worse.

[eldavis]

I don't think i would accept such a job though, but judging from what you have said, the new caretaker broke every single rule which resulted to his death.

[Netherrealmer]

This is Annabel in movie


This is the real Annabel demon doll in real life

[eldavis]

Lol they made it look a lot scarier in the movie than what it actually looks like in real life.

[Jem Smith]

Sure, I'd happily take care of a doll for a decent salary.

The Warrens were con artists.

--- 23 Jul 2025, 10:25 ---

I don't think i would accept such a job though, but judging from what you have said, the new caretaker broke every single rule which resulted to his death.

He died of natural causes.

--- 23 Jul 2025, 10:33 ---

But after the Warrens passed away, Dan Rivera became her new caretaker. Unlike the Warrens, though, he would take her out of the box and display her at public events across the country. People bought tickets to see her, take photos (from a distance), and hear spooky stories. A lot of paranormal fans were already side-eyeing this, saying it was disrespectful to treat her like a sideshow.

?

" In 2025, the Warrens' estate promoted online reports that the doll had "disappeared"[13] as part of a viral marketing campaign for a tour called 'Devils on the Run,' showcasing items from the Warrens Occult Museum. "The doll was never missing," said Tony Spera the Director of New England Society for Psychic Research. "We had taken the doll on a brief tour to several locations, so paranormal enthusiasts could witness the real Annabelle."[14] In July 2025, 'Devils on the Run' tour organizer and host Dan Rivera died in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Rivera had been a lead promoter of the tour and produced videos of the doll on TikTok.[15][16]"

THE ESTATE promoted the tour, not one single person against the Warren's wishes. He wasn't even the 'caretaker' of the doll, just the lead promoter of the tour.

The Warrens had even moved the doll themselves.

"Buell also told Newsweek "The claim that Ed & Lorraine never moved Annabelle is false. Every so often, they would showcase Annabelle at a lecture or speaking event so people curious about the items could view the items."

https://www.newsweek.com/evil-annabelle-doll-located-warrens-occult-museum-missing-2076827

[arunima]

The real doll looks cute like any doll that small kids play with. The one used in the movie looks spooky and scary. I could not watch the whole movie "Conjuring". I have seen bits and pieces and was scared to hell. Even if they would pay me a fortune, I would not take this job.
I am sure that a lot of speculations will come with this death. Some stories would be woven around too. And you never know, it might give an idea for their next movie.

[Netherrealmer]

This comedian Just bought Annabel

[Tendz]

A lot of attention coming Matt Rife’s way now. It’s gonna be interesting to see what he does next.

[arunima]

Hmm....I find it interesting that there are so many paranormal enthusiasts who do not mind coming forward and being the legal caretaker of the doll. Prayers and wishes for Matt Rife.
What would happen if no one comes forward to be the caretaker?

[Tendz]

I guess, if no one came forward, the doll would probably end up in some museum or secure place where it could be kept safely.

[Jem Smith]

Hmm....I find it interesting that there are so many paranormal enthusiasts who do not mind coming forward and being the legal caretaker of the doll. Prayers and wishes for Matt Rife.
What would happen if no one comes forward to be the caretaker?

It would get treated like any other piece of junk left behind when someone died- sold to the highest bidder or just thrown away if nobody wanted it. It's just a doll.

[germainebull]

I don't think i would accept such a job though, but judging from what you have said, the new caretaker broke every single rule which resulted to his death.

That's a wild and unsettling story, and I can completely understand why you'd be hesitant to take on a job like that! It definitely adds a new layer of creepiness to the already famous lore of the Annabelle doll.

The news reports indicate that the caretaker, Dan Rivera, died suddenly while on tour with the doll. The exact cause of death hasn't been officially released yet, so the idea that he broke a "rule" that led to his death is more in the realm of speculation and the supernatural narrative that surrounds the doll.

For people who believe in the paranormal, it's easy to connect his passing to the doll's supposed malevolent nature. He was an investigator with the New England Society for Psychic Research, an organization founded by Ed and Lorraine Warren, who were the original caretakers of the doll. So, the story of the rules—don't open the case, don't mock it, etc.—is a central part of that world. The fact that he was taking Annabelle on tour, which is a major change from its usual home behind glass, could be seen by some as a major violation of those unwritten rules.

Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, it's a tragic situation and a reminder of how powerfully stories and legends can influence our perception of events. It's a job that requires a certain kind of bravery, or maybe just a complete lack of fear!