When paranormal investigator Daniel Rivera sadly passed away, rumors flew. Many people wondered if his work with eerie objects, especially the famous Annabelle doll, played a part in his death. Now, we have clear answers about what truly happened. A prominent entertainment news outlet, Us Weekly, confirmed the details.
On September 4, the Gettysburg County, Pennsylvania coroner shared the official cause of death. Rivera’s passing was due to natural causes, specifically heart-related issues. The coroner’s report stated, "The cause of death has been determined to be cardiac and is considered a natural death." It also noted, "Mr. Rivera had a history of heart problems, which matched the autopsy findings." The statement ended with condolences to Rivera’s family during this tough time.
Rivera died on July 13, 2025. He was on the Devils on the Run tour, which included the Annabelle doll. This doll has long been called "demon-possessed." Famous paranormal researchers Ed and Lorraine Warren once said the doll’s spooky story began in the 1970s. They claimed unexplained events back then suggested a demon lived inside the toy.
The Truth About Annabelle’s Role
Many people quickly connected Rivera’s death to the Annabelle doll. However, the Gettysburg County coroner made it clear that the doll "was not present in the room" when Rivera died. Rivera had traveled to Gettysburg, where the doll was on display. His heart problems were the sole cause of his passing.
The Annabelle doll has a long and creepy history. It all started in 1971 when a nursing student received the Raggedy Ann doll. Soon, the doll reportedly started moving on its own or leaving notes asking for help. Before their deaths, Ed and Lorraine Warren kept the doll locked away at a museum on their Connecticut property. This doll even inspired a series of movies. Later, their son-in-law, Tony Spera, took over the museum. It is no longer open to the public.
Other Spooky Encounters with Annabelle
Even without being directly involved in Rivera’s death, Annabelle still has a reputation for being unsettling. Zak Bagans, the host of Ghost Adventures, claims he had a scary encounter with the doll in 2017.
Bagans told Us in July 2025 about his experience. "I had a chance to look at Annabelle when the owner brought her to my museum," he explained. "It really bothered me, and that feeling led me to touch the doll. The owner wasn’t happy about that."
According to Bagans, the doll had a "demonic infestation" that affected him badly. "The very next day, I was in the hospital. It was a connection that lasted two months and one of the worst experiences of my life," he said. "I had never seen a doll like that. I took it home that night. The next morning, I started throwing up violently and felt pain in my side."
Despite these chilling stories, the official report on Daniel Rivera’s death is clear. It was a natural passing due to heart issues. This brings a factual end to the spooky rumors that quickly surrounded his name.