Hollywood

Dan Rivera, a paranormal investigator known for leading the 2025 “Devils on the Run Tour,” was found dead following a scheduled leg of the tour in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, that featured the allegedly haunted doll Annabelle. Rivera was 54. While the Adams County coroner has since confirmed details surrounding his passing, at the time, fans and paranormal enthusiasts were left speculating about the mystery.

The “Devils on the Run Tour” had just completed its Gettysburg stint that was held at the Soldiers National Orphanage by Ghostly Images of Gettysburg Tours. Rivera helped the tour reach nationwide attention in recent months thanks to his TikTok presence. Per the Evening Sun, Rivera’s tour had completed its final day in Gettysburg in the afternoon on July 13, 2025 — just hours before his death.

The question on many minds was clear: how did Rivera die? Below, Hollywood Life separates fact from fiction.

Paranormal investigator Dan Rivera dies suddenly at 54 while traveling across the US with the real ‘haunted’ Annabelle doll. pic.twitter.com/1ArYrmvPXW

— Creepy.org (@creepydotorg) July 15, 2025

Who Was Dan Rivera?

Rivera was a paranormal investigator, recently known for leading the “Devils on the Run Tour,” which featured Annabelle, and he worked with the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR). In addition to his profession, Rivera was also a U.S. Army veteran.

Previously, Rivera was featured on the Travel Channel’s Most Haunted Places as a paranormal investigator. Additionally, he worked as a producer on various shows, such as Netflix’s 28 Days Haunted.

Dan Rivera’s Cause of Death: How Did He Die?

Rivera’s official cause of death was ruled as natural and cardiac-related, according to the Adams County coroner, Francis Dutrow. On September 4, 2025, Dutrow released a statement, obtained by People, which read, “Mr. Rivera had a known history of cardiac issues, which were consistent with the findings. It is also confirmed that Annabelle was not present in the room at the time of his passing.”

In the evening hours of July 13, 2025, Rivera was found dead in his hotel room in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The Evening Sun reported that firefighters and medical staff were called to the hotel at about 8:00 p.m. local time. Both Pennsylvania State Police and the coroner’s office responded to the hotel room to perform an investigation, according to the publication.

pic.twitter.com/2UGOLuy4Ba

— Trooper Megan Frazer (@PSPTroopHPIO) July 16, 2025

Adams County first responders performed CPR on a male patient of Rivera’s age. The Adams County Coroner’s Office said that Rivera’s death did not seem suspicious, per the Evening Sun. He was discovered alone in the hotel room.

“The decedent was discovered in his hotel room by workers,” a police report that was released via X on July 16, 2025, read. “Nothing unusual or suspicious was observed at the scene.

TMZ reported that Rivera was feeling ill hours before he died. Adams County Coroner Dutrow told the outlet that Rivera was “surrounded by coworkers” the morning he died, and they all “parted ways when he told them he was sick and needed to go back to his room to rest.” After Rivera’s coworkers hadn’t heard from him “in a while,” they went to check on him, which was when he was found dead that night.

Does Dan Rivera Have Children?

Yes, Rivera is survived by his four sons, whom he shared with his wife, Sarah Rivera. 

Who Is Dan Rivera’s Wife?

Sarah penned two heart-wrenching posts via Facebook on July 14, 2025, calling her late husband the “love of my life and will be forever.”

“We as a family are in pieces as we share the news that Dan Rivera has passed away unexpectedly,” she wrote in a separate Facebook statement. “He was the center of this family and a pillar of love and strength. As a devoted husband, father of four sons, and a staunchly faithful friend, he always had a quiet source of resilience, strength and endless hope. Daniel carried a light and a brave heart everyday through his life and his work. We are currently at a loss for words as we process his loss but are extremely thankful for the love, support and respect during this unimaginable time.”

Where Is Annabelle Currently?

Annabelle was in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, because the doll was scheduled to appear as part of “The Devils on the Run Tour” in the area from July 11 through July 13, 2025. The figurine was previously held at the Warrens’ Occult Museum in Connecticut.

The allegedly haunted doll was scheduled to appear in Rock Island, Illinois, on October 4 and October 5, 2025, as part of the tour.

According to a July 15, 2025, press released by the NESPR, the “Devils on the Run Your” appears to be full stream ahead.

“As we navigate the days ahead, we want to share that although we do not know what the future of NESPR will look like without Dan, we do plan to move forward with the events previously scheduled for this year,” the press release read. “We believe with all our hearts that Dan would have wanted the work to continue — bringing people together, sharing knowledge and honoring the memory of Ed and Lorraine Warren.”

The NESPR added, “We will carry his spirit with us in everything we do.”

Is Annabelle Actually Haunted?

Annabelle is considered a haunted doll, hence why she’s been kept in a glass case for years. Late paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, who was Rivera’s mentor, investigated the doll in the 1970s after a 28-year-old nursing student named Donna from Connecticut claimed the figurine could move by itself and behaved maliciously. The Warrens said a psychic medium informed them that the doll was possessed by a dead girl named Annabelle. To prevent the supposedly possessed doll from harming anyone, the Warrens kept her in a glass case.

In May 2025, viral theories about Annabelle’s whereabouts circulated on social media in reaction to her being featured in the “Devils on the Run” cross-country tour. Contrary to rumors, Annabelle never went missing.

The doll’s story inspired the character and spinoff Annabelle films from The Conjuring universe. The real-life Annabelle doll is a Raggedy Ann plush figurine, not a porcelain doll with angry eyes, rosy cheeks like the one featured in the movies.

Was the Annabelle Doll Near Dan Rivera When He Died?

No, contrary to baseless online speculation, the Annabelle doll was not near Rivera when he died. Adams County Coroner Dutrow told CNN on July 17, 2025, that Annabelle was not in the hotel room where Rivera was found dead.