Paranormal Investigator Dan Rivera Dies in Gettysburg After Annabelle Tour Stop
GETTYSBURG, PA: Paranormal Investigator Dan Rivera, known for his national appearances on the “Devils on the Run Tour” featuring the infamous Annabelle doll, passed away suddenly during a tour stop in Gettysburg on Sunday, July 13, 2025. He was 54.
The New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), where Rivera served as the senior lead investigator, confirmed his passing on Monday evening. Rivera, a U.S. Army veteran and a prominent face in the paranormal community, was found unresponsive in his hotel room shortly after leading a tour at the historic Soldiers National Orphanage Homestead.
The tour stop, hosted by Ghostly Images of Gettysburg Tours, had completely sold out, with over 1,260 tickets sold across the weekend. Rivera had led the Saturday evening session, guiding attendees through a viewing of the original Annabelle doll — the same doll that inspired The Conjuring film series and was allegedly involved in real-life hauntings investigated by famed demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren.
Emergency Response and Death Investigation Underway
Emergency dispatch logs from Adams County confirmed that firefighters and medical crews responded to a hotel in Gettysburg just after 8 p.m. on Sunday for a report of a man undergoing CPR. The coroner later identified the deceased as Dan Rivera.
According to Adams County Coroner Francis Dutrow, Rivera was found alone and his death did not initially appear suspicious. The Pennsylvania State Police and the coroner’s office conducted an on-site investigation. While the final cause of death remains unknown, an autopsy has been scheduled. Results may take several months, according to the coroner’s office.
Rivera’s sudden passing came as a shock to both the paranormal research community and fans of the Annabelle tour. Though natural causes are suspected, authorities will await toxicology and forensic reports before making a final determination.
Dan Rivera’s Legacy and Impact on Paranormal Culture
Rivera played a central role in bringing the “Devils on the Run” tour to national and international audiences. Alongside fellow investigator Ryan Daniel Buell, he produced a series of viral TikTok videos that helped elevate the haunted doll’s tour to cultural prominence. These clips racked up millions of views, often showing Annabelle being transported or showcased in historically haunted venues.
In recent months, the tour attracted both fascination and criticism. In several cities, social media backlash emerged, with some locals objecting to what they viewed as the glorification of dark folklore. However, for Rivera, the tour was always about education, curiosity, and respect for the unknown.
Rivera often emphasized the spiritual protection and grounding techniques he practiced during the tour. Witnesses recall him saying, “Close your eyes and envision yourself in a halo of white light,” as he led groups through the more emotionally intense parts of the Annabelle experience.
Tributes Pour In from the Paranormal Community
Following the announcement of his death, tributes flooded social media. Paranormal enthusiasts, tour attendees, and Rivera’s colleagues remembered him not only for his dedication to the unexplained, but also for his warmth, humility, and sense of humor.
One attendee of Saturday’s tour recalled, “Dan was so knowledgeable, but also incredibly kind. He made you feel safe even when you were standing feet away from the most infamous haunted object in America.”
The New England Society for Psychic Research described Rivera as a “pillar of our organization” and honored him as a “devoted investigator, loving father, and treasured friend.”
A Life Lived at the Edge of the Unknown
Dan Rivera’s passing in Gettysburg, a place steeped in Civil War history and spiritual lore, seems tragically fitting to some of his closest colleagues. His life was spent walking the line between the seen and unseen — always searching, always questioning.
As his family, friends, and fans mourn this sudden loss, the paranormal world remembers Dan Rivera as someone who helped bring mystery into the light, one haunted location at a time.
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