A cause of death has been confirmed for Dan Rivera, a paranormal investigator who was found dead in July following an event in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, that featured the infamous Annabelle doll.

 

Rivera, a 54-year-old Army veteran and senior lead investigator with the Connecticut-based New England Society for Psychic Research, died on July 13, just a day after the event involving the allegedly haunted doll known from horror folklore.

 

On Thursday, September 4, Adams County Coroner Francis Dutrow announced that Rivera's death was cardiac-related and classified as natural. “Mr Rivera had a known history of cardiac issues, which were consistent with the findings,” Dutrow stated.

 

He also clarified that the doll was not present in the room at the time of his passing.

 

Earlier, a report from the Pennsylvania State Police had also described the circumstances of Rivera’s death. According to the report, officers responded to a hotel in Straban Township, Adams County, where Rivera was found deceased in his room by hotel staff.

 

Authorities noted that there was nothing suspicious or out of the ordinary at the scene.

 

Rivera had reportedly been with colleagues earlier that morning but told them he was feeling unwell and returned to his hotel room. It remains unclear what specific symptoms he was experiencing.

 

At the time of the incident, Rivera was part of a tour in Gettysburg showcasing Annabelle, which the New England Society for Psychic Research claims is “demonically possessed”.

 

Annabelle’s origins trace back to 1968, when she was reportedly gifted to a nursing student, who later brought the doll to the apartment she shared with her roommate.

 

The doll has been a part of pop culture in recent years after it was featured in The Conjuring film series, latest instalment of which was released in the United States (US) on Sept 4.