Law&Crime Sidebar - Paranormal Investigator Dies on ‘Annabelle’ Haunted Doll Tour — Everything We Know

Starting point is 00:00:00 Wondery Plus subscribers can binge all episodes of this Law and Crimes series ad-free right now. Join Wondry Plus in the Wondery app Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Agent Nate Russo returns in Oracle 3, Murder at the Grandview, the latest installment of the gripping Audible Original series. When a reunion at an abandoned island hotel turns deadly, Russo must untangle accident from murder. But beware, something sinister lurks in the grand. View Shadows. Joshua Jackson delivers a bone-chilling performance in this supernatural thriller that

Starting point is 00:00:35 will keep you on the edge of your seat. Don't let your fears take hold of you as you dive into this addictive series. Love thrillers with a paranormal twist? The entire Oracle trilogy is available on Audible. Listen now on Audible. Hey, Ryan, we got more work to do. Again. A well-known paranormal investigator died just hours after leading a sold-out event featuring one of the most infamous haunted objects in the world, the Annabelle doll. It happened in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. While officials say there's no foul play, the timing has reignited a lot of dark speculation. We're going to break down what we know and what we don't know right now. Welcome to Sidebar. Presented by Law and Crime, I'm Jesse Weber.

Starting point is 00:01:22 I'm telling you right now, this isn't the kind of story that we're going to be. we usually cover on sidebar. But I got to say, this is so chilling, so strange, so mysterious, we have to talk about it. We have to cover it. We often say some of the stories that we cover feel like they come straight out of a horror movie. This one, it is kind of like a horror movie. It ended in tragedy. What was supposed to be a sold-out three-day paranormal event in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, took a very dark and unexpected turn. Dan Rivera, a 54-year-old U.S. Army veteran and well-known paranormal investigator, died suddenly out of nowhere on the evening of July 13th, just hours after concluding his

Starting point is 00:02:07 Devils on the Run tour, which featured none other than the infamous, allegedly demon-possessed Annabelle doll. Now, if you've seen any of the Conjuring films or the 2014 movie Annabelle, you already know, just how unsettling this doll's reputation is. Over the years, it's been tied to countless, eerie, and inexplicable incidents, and we're going to get into that a little bit later, but what makes Rivera's death especially disturbing is just how sudden and strangely timed it was. According to Adams County dispatch logs, emergency responders were called to a hotel in Gettysburg

Starting point is 00:02:42 at around 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 13th, after someone reported CPR being performed on a man matching Rivera's description. And despite attempts to revive him, Rivera was pronounced dead shortly after. The Adams County Coroner's office has confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious, though the exact cause remains pending as autopsy results could take 60 to 90 days. But Rivera was the lead investigator for the New England Society for Psychic Research. It's called NESPR. And by the way, this is the same organization that was founded by legendary ghost hunters, Ed and Lorraine Warren. He had just wrapped a three-day showcase of the Annabelle doll at the historic Soldiers National Orphanage in Gettysburg, hosted by ghostly images of Gettysburg

Starting point is 00:03:30 tours. Now, the event was a hit. It drew massive crowds. Over 1,260 tickets were sold to see Annabelle and other haunted relics from the Warren's Occult Museum. But according to the evening sun, Rivera took precautions to safely display the doll, building a protective case around it, encasing it, by the way, with three crosses and vials of holy water. Here's, by the way, how the official tour description put it. Quote, The Devils on the Run tour is a chilling experience that brings the tales of fame ghost hunters, Ed and Lorraine Warren's investigations to life. This tour offers a chance to delve deep into some of the darkest aspects of paranormal activity, including the entities and haunted objects the warrens encounter during their decades-long

Starting point is 00:04:16 career. One of the tour's key highlights is the infamous Annabelle doll, which, despite its seemingly innocent appearance, has been the cause of numerous terrifying incidents. The doll has reportedly brought misfortune, injury, and even death to those who have interacted with it improperly. The Devils on the Run Tour takes participants to some of the most haunted places in America, and as part of its special events, it will feature locations like the haunted historic soldiers' orphanage homestead in Gettysburg, where the spirits of the past still linger. This stop along the Devils on the run tour will feature not just the Annabelle doll, but a couple of other haunted relics from the Warren's Occult Museum. So as you know, we're always writing a lot of sidebars here. We're researching. We're doing breaking news, and I am constantly on the run, and I get hungry, and it's not so easy just to grab something.

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Starting point is 00:05:59 Skip the stress, not the nutrition. Now, Annabelle had been transported to Gettysburg specifically for this event. In one TikTok video, Rivera himself excitedly announced that he was traveling with Annabelle to the historic town. Annabelle's leaving San Antonio, guys. Now we're heading to Gettysburg. See you there. You can also see video of the doll's arrival at the Gettysburg site posted by the Annabelle tour account. There's another clip that shows behind the scenes moments from the event.

Starting point is 00:06:31 And according to the evening sun, Rivera joked with attendees during the event. downplaying the doll's infamy, even referencing bizarre online theories connecting Annabelle to a prison break or a phone outage or a plantation fire. But behind the humor was a man who dedicated his life to the paranormal. A native of Bridgeport, Connecticut, Rivera spent more than a decade investigating the supernatural, having been mentored by the late Lorraine Warren, one half of the legendary duo behind the Amityville Horror Investigation, the real-life Annabelle case. and his passion extended to television as well, with appearances on the travel channel's most haunted places, a production role on Netflix's 28 Days Haunted.

Starting point is 00:07:13 Rivera was also a pioneer in using social media to bring the paranormal into the mainstream. He leveraged TikTok to promote the tour, helping it reach a massive audience. His videos, which were often created alongside fellow investigator Ryan Buell, racked up millions of views, and it stirred both fascination and fear.

Starting point is 00:07:32 as Annabelle made her way across the country. Hey, Ryan, we got more work to do. Again. You got it. Get the car fired up. I'll get the guys ready. Now, NESPR confirmed Rivera's death in just a heartbreaking Facebook post, calling him, quote, a kind, passion educator who dedicated his life to paranormal research.

Starting point is 00:08:01 The message reads, with heavy hearts, we share the sudden and heartbreaking loss of our dear friend and colleague, Dan Rivera. The New England Society for Psychic Research is devastated by his passing and is still coming to terms with the profound loss. Dan was not only a vital part of our team for over a decade, but also a deeply compassionate, loyal, and dedicated friend. A U.S. Army veteran, Dan, served both his country and the people around him. He worked closely with Lorraine Warren and remained by her side, even as her health declined, always always. offering a steady hand and unwavering support. Dan was a constant presence with Lorraine and any SPR at local events such as evening with Annabelle, where his warmth and professionalism left a lasting impression. And the tribute also included a quote from one of Rivera's own

Starting point is 00:08:47 posts shared in 2020 after visiting the grave of Ed and Lorraine Warren. In it, he reflects on legacy, memory, the idea that our spirits endure through the lives that we've touched, writing, does life really end? I've asked myself that question today. My answer was in life we leave a piece of ourselves with loved ones and friends in our journey through life until there are no more pieces to give away. You would think that is the end, but when you look back at all the pieces you gave away, those pieces will always be remembered. So I say, I will never die. My journey has only begun. Fellow investigator Ryan Buell shared an emotional tribute to his dear friend on his Instagram page writing,

Starting point is 00:09:30 I am utterly heartbroken and sad to write that Dan Rivera, the lead investigator for the New England Society for Psychic Research and ESPR, has passed away this weekend. I have so many amazing memories with this guy. Just as recently as two months ago, we traveled around the country and introduced a whole new generation

Starting point is 00:09:46 to Ed and Lorraine Warren's legacy. Dan cared for Lorraine towards the end of her life, and he devoted his time passionately to keeping Ed and Lorraine's legacy alive. He was a loving father, husband, and a loyal and caring friend. And what many of you may not know is, privately, he and NSPR helped families who were haunted just as Ed and Lorraine did. One of the many things I loved about Dan is that he was a dreamer with big, bold, and sometimes ballsy ideas. I love that I got

Starting point is 00:10:17 to play a small role in that vision. And just as I mourn him, I also mourn his unfinished dreams and ideas for the future. I can't believe I had my final phone call with you. and my final moment with you here on this earth, I'll cherish every minute of it. And fans, colleagues, they flooded social media with condolences, remembering Rivera not only for his charisma, but also for his deep reverence for the paranormal. Many recalled his signature protective rituals like the holy water,

Starting point is 00:10:45 Stain case that he built for Annabelle, sealed with three crosses to ward off evil. And as we mentioned earlier, Annabelle's legacy is particularly dark, Despite, again, what's an innocent appearance, a simple Raggedy Ann doll, Annabelle has become one of the most infamous haunted objects in paranormal history. Now housed in the Warren Occult Museum in Connecticut, the doll first gained notoriety in the 1970s after allegedly terrorizing a nursing student named Donna. According to the New England Society for Psychic Research, the events began in 1968. A student nurse has given a raggedy Ann doll as a gift, and she brings it home where she looks at home where she looks at. lives with a roommate. Almost immediately, the roommates noticed strange

Starting point is 00:11:29 occurrences with the doll, and they were introduced to a medium who told them the doll was inhabited by the spirit of a young girl named Annabelle. The two roommates tried to accept the doll's spirit and please it, only to have it reciprocate maliciousness and violent intent. This is when Ed and Lorraine Warren recalled and pronounced the doll demonically possessed. They removed the doll from the house and encased it in a glass box to contain the evil spirited entity. And by the way, the Warrens famously placed a warning on the case, positively do not open. Over the years, Annabelle's legend has only grown with claims

Starting point is 00:12:05 that the doll has moved on its own, lifted its arms, scratched, even caused a fatal car crash involving a priest. One story alleges it once stabbed a police officer. So whether it's fact or folklore, the tales surrounding Annabelle helped inspire the conjuring universe, started with the 2014 Annabelle film, subsequent spinoffs. And now we have to try to make sense of this. I'm Alice Levine. And I'm Matt Ford. And we're the hosts of Wondry's podcast, British Scandal.

Starting point is 00:12:34 Pray, good fellow. Please join us in our latest, most gripping series. What on earth are you doing? Well, speaking in Tudor English, you know, because we're doing Amber Lane. So I thought it would help people get in the mood and take them back to the course of King Henry the 8th. Now, if I know British Scandal listeners, and I think I know British Scandal listeners, they will be reeled in with talk of treachery, sexual jealousy, backstabbing and treason. There is a lot of that to be fair, but at its heart, isn't it just a traditional girl meets king, girl losers king kind of story?

Starting point is 00:13:07 Yeah, with a divorce, a nation-altering religious reformation, and the show trial to begin all show trials. So listen to the story of Amblin now, follow British Scandal wherever you listen to podcasts and binge entire seasons early and ad-free on Wondry Plus. Okay, so we thought we'd bring in somebody to help sort all of this out. I am joined by forensic pathologist, former chief medical examiner, Mary Jimbellic. Mary, thank you so much for coming on. Always love having your expertise. This is a different one, okay? So you have the Adams County Chief Deputy Coroner, Scott Pennewill, who said that Rivera's death was, quote, nothing

Starting point is 00:13:52 suspicious. What does that tell you? Well, from what I understand in the brief reporting that has been done on this case is that it was an unwitnessed arrest. So to my knowledge, there isn't anyone who saw the death happen, who knows about it. And anytime that is the case, you have to look for everything, including signs of suspicious activity. Maybe it's a homicide. to make sure there's no trauma on the body. You have to do a thorough scene evaluation, as well as an autopsy. Again, I don't know what was done in this case, but if the coroner is saying that, it's based on the preliminary information from the scene, that there's no trauma, no blood, that type of thing. Could that change?

Starting point is 00:14:46 Of course. I think whenever you begin an investigation, you have to leave room for answering the questions and so you have to look at what the individual was doing before they died when they were last seen alive what's their medical history you know were there access to medications or illicit drugs all of that is going to you know play a role in evaluating what happened to the person they they retrace his steps for 24 hours before 48 hours before what he ate where he went what he did what he consumed everything like that Absolutely. Who saw him?

Starting point is 00:15:24 What was his behavior like? Was he complaining of anything? Did he have a sore throat? Did he complain of chest pain? You know, was he feeling well? All of that is going to play a role in interpreting what is seen at the autopsy. By the way, when they say cause of death pending, to be clear, does that mean they are unsure what the cause of death is right now or they're waiting for the results or something else?

Starting point is 00:15:51 I think I would use that term when I was waiting for additional results, typically toxicologic results. So were there any drugs, poisons, chemicals, prescription medication in the decedent system? Could they have played a role in the death? That is how it might typically be, but it could also be used if they're doing other specialized studies that aren't toxicology related, perhaps a brain, analysis, neuro pathology, something along those lines. What does an autopsy look like in a case like this? You're given a body, there is no, let's say, apparent stabbing wound or blunt force trauma or gunshot wound.

Starting point is 00:16:35 What do you do? Well, every autopsy should start with an external examination of the body, looking carefully at the skin, head to toe, front and back for anything, trauma, scars, disease, psoriasis wounds, bug bites, a rash, anything that might give you a clue to the activity of the person. Of course, needle punctures for drug use, all of that should be examined. And that's all seen just on the outside of the body. And then the autopsy that the average person typically thinks of begins with the incision precisely placed, chest and abdomen, opening up, looking at all the internal organs one by one to make sure they're normal or is their trauma

Starting point is 00:17:24 or is their disease? Was their hardening of the arteries? Was there cirrhosis of the liver? Is the bladder full? Is the stomach full? Did the person eat recently? All of that can be gleaned from the autopsy internal examination. If somebody says they died from natural causes, what does that mean? That's a very broad category. And frankly, it's a majority of the cases that medical examiners and corners deal with. It means anything from a stroke to a heart attack, to cancer, to something with their lungs, to pneumonia. It's such a broad category. It just means that there was nothing intervening from someone else or something unexpected causing trauma. that's it's so it's a broad category and for the most part that would be able to be

Starting point is 00:18:19 determined if it wasn't I know it's broad but you'd be the medical examiner be able to say it looks like there was complications with a stroke or a blood clot or heart attack something of that nature yes we find sometimes situations where you look inside the body and what we find is incompatible with life so we open up the body and there's a stroke that has taken over the entire brain and we can see that at the autopsy. There are other times when what we see is disease and we find nothing else wrong. So we find hardening of the artery, but we don't see like the heart isn't exploded.

Starting point is 00:18:59 The heart doesn't have obvious trauma. And we say, you know, the person had an arrhythmia, an electrical disturbance by this hardening of the artery. That's what we think happens. So sometimes it's very obvious. other times it's a presumption based on ruling everything else out. Why does it take several months for results? Well, I think toxicology has gotten more and more refined and we're detecting more and

Starting point is 00:19:28 more drugs and there's being more drugs synthesized in, you know, modern day. So it's gotten better, but it's gotten harder because we're looking for more things and all of that testing takes time. In addition, there are more and more people that are using drugs. There are more and more overdoses that occur. And so that everyone's waiting in line to have the tests done. And it just takes a certain amount of time to do it. I'm going to ask you a very juvenile elementary question, but I have to ask it. Is it possible someone just dies and you don't have an answer? You just say, look, there's nothing outward that seems like there was any trauma, that it was, you know, anybody inflicted anything.

Starting point is 00:20:12 Like you said, there was no external event. I can't see evidence of a stroke. I can't see evidence of heart disease. Just someone died and we don't have the answer. Obviously, you know why I'm asking this is because of the eerie circumstances surrounding his death and what he was doing. Is it possible that could be an answer where you just don't have an answer? Well, it is.

Starting point is 00:20:35 I mean, it's a very unsatisfying answer. It's unsatisfying to the forensic pathologist. to the family, to the community. But there are times when we don't have an answer. Sudden infant death syndrome is one of those situations where infants die, often in their sleep. We don't have an answer to explain it. We can explain some of those cases, but not all of them.

Starting point is 00:21:00 And there are equivalents in adults, sudden adult death, where we do not find something tangible. However, when we run into those cases, we try to overturn every stone and look everywhere to just make sure we have exhausted our knowledge base at this point in this century. You know, Mary, you're one of the most renowned experts in this field. I know you have seen all of it. So I'm going to ask you, as we conclude this, have you ever encountered a case where there is a belief that something supernatural could have caused a death in any way.

Starting point is 00:21:40 Has that ever been, you know, asserted? And you had to say, wait a minute, let's take a second look at this. I have to ask it, ask it given people's, you know, this is a chilling case. And I am curious if you've ever encountered something where supernatural beliefs or a supernatural theory has come forward. Well, on the one hand, I'm a very avid fan of the X-Files and kind of identify with Dana Scully, and I have that pragmatic approach and scientific approach as well. On the other hand, I believe that if someone believes in the supernatural like that, and they get scared enough or something really affects them that, in effect, they could have a heart problem that's brought on by their own. fear now i i know that the coroner had said 60 to 90 days um do you think we might get an answer

Starting point is 00:22:41 some sort of answer sooner rather than later and how would that answer be delivered to the public in the media yeah i don't know so much depends on what uh they the family or uh you know his employers or whatever uh how much they want that you know to be public knowledge. I don't think that there's a sunshine law in Pennsylvania for, you know, just giving that information out. So it's hard to know. Mary Jimbellic, thank you so much for coming on. Again, chilling case. Very strange, but appreciate your expertise as always. You're welcome. Thanks. So look for now, the paranormal community mourns a man who truly believed in the unseen, an investigator who, until his final day, walked the line between legend and

Starting point is 00:23:32 reality. And with the autopsy pending and questions lingering, officials stress there's no evidence of foul play, the Tours remaining dates are canceled, and it leaves Annabelle's next move uncertain. We'll follow the next steps and we'll see what the autopsy results are. It's all we have for you right now here on Sidebar, everybody. Thank you so much for joining us. And as always, please subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcast, Spotify, wherever you should get your podcasts. I'm Jesse Weber. I'll speak to you next time. You can binge all episodes of this law and crime series ad free right now on Wondery Plus.

Starting point is 00:24:14 Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

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Law&Crime Sidebar - Paranormal Investigator Dies on ‘Annabelle’ Haunted Doll Tour — Everything We Know

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