Grandson of ‘The Conjuring’ Family Warns New Owner of Haunted ‘Annabelle’ Doll After Investigator’s Mysterious Death
CONNECTICUT — The grandson of famed paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren has issued a chilling warning following the sudden death of a man who toured with the infamous ‘Annabelle’ doll, the real-life inspiration behind The Conjuring horror films.
Chris McKinnell, who now leads the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) founded by his grandparents, publicly warned comedian Matt Rife — the new owner of the Warrens’ former home and Occult Museum — not to underestimate the power of the haunted artifact.
Investigator’s Death Reignites Annabelle Fears
In July, former U.S. Army veteran and paranormal investigator Dan Rivera was found dead in his Pennsylvania hotel room shortly after completing a tour featuring the doll. Rivera, who was mentored by Lorraine Warren before her death, had been showcasing the artifact at public events — something McKinnell has long opposed.
Although the Adams County Coroner ruled Rivera’s death as natural due to pre-existing heart conditions, the incident has fueled fresh speculation about Annabelle’s alleged curse. Authorities confirmed that the doll was not present in Rivera’s room at the time of his death, but the timing has left believers unsettled.
According to UNILAD, McKinnell called Rivera’s tour “a betrayal” of what his grandparents stood for, warning that moving or displaying cursed items could have dangerous consequences.
New Owner Faces Paranormal Backlash
The Warrens’ Connecticut home, which once housed their private Occult Museum, was recently purchased by comedian Matt Rife, who also acquired legal ownership of the doll. Rife has said he plans to open the property to visitors but insists there are “no plans to take the artifacts on tour.”
Still, McKinnell’s warning was direct: “It was never meant to be a public museum. That’s a misconception. It was always by special invitation, one or two people, very small groups with specific instructions — don’t touch anything, don’t disrespect anything, don’t try to communicate with anything.”
He compared the site to “the Chernobyl of the paranormal,” emphasizing that people today “are doing TikTok videos where they’re talking to these things” without understanding the potential danger.
A Legacy of the Supernatural
Ed and Lorraine Warren became household names after decades of paranormal investigations, many of which inspired blockbuster horror films including The Conjuring, Annabelle, and The Amityville Horror. The real Annabelle — a Raggedy Ann doll — was said to be possessed by a demonic entity in the 1970s.
The Warrens kept the doll sealed in a glass case in their home museum, warning visitors never to open or move it. McKinnell says those warnings are just as relevant today.
“I’ve been levitated over stairs, thrown across rooms, and nearly killed during investigations,” McKinnell said. “The paranormal can be deadly. It can be empowering. It can be very, very beautiful — but it’s like electricity. It can light up the world, or it can kill you.”
A Haunted Legacy That Won’t Fade
Despite skepticism from some, McKinnell maintains that people should treat haunted objects and alleged paranormal energy with respect — whether they believe in them or not. “It bothers me to no end what can happen,” he said, referencing Rivera’s death and other strange occurrences connected to his family’s work.
As for Rife, his representatives say he plans to preserve the Warrens’ legacy responsibly, though McKinnell remains unconvinced. “We’ve seen what happens when people ignore the warnings,” he said.
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