A national paranormal tour featuring a doll shrouded in supernatural lore ended in tragedy this weekend when one of its lead organizers, Dan Rivera, died suddenly during the Gettysburg stop, according to the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), the group behind the event.
Rivera, 54, a U.S. Army veteran and lead investigator for NESPR, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 13, 2025, while visiting Gettysburg. The society confirmed the news in a public statement released Monday evening.
Rivera was a central figure in the popular “Devils on the Run Tour,” which brought the infamous haunted doll, Annabelle, to historic and paranormal hotspots across the country. He had become a recognizable face of the tour, using platforms like TikTok to document the journey and engage millions of curious viewers.
According to archived Adams County dispatch recordings, emergency responders were dispatched to a Gettysburg hotel shortly after 8 p.m. Sunday night following a call about CPR being performed on a male matching Rivera’s description.
Adams County Coroner Francis Dutrow confirmed a death investigation is underway, though as of Tuesday, Rivera’s official cause of death remains unknown pending autopsy results — which could take several months to finalize. Authorities added that there are no indications of foul play and Rivera was found alone in his hotel room.
The Pennsylvania State Police and the coroner’s office responded to the scene as part of standard protocol for sudden or unexplained deaths in the county, particularly when the individual is not under active medical care.
The Gettysburg event, hosted at the historic Soldiers National Orphanage by Ghostly Images of Gettysburg Tours, was a sold-out success. Organizers reported more than 1,260 tickets sold over the three-day weekend that concluded Sunday afternoon.
Rivera played a vital role in bringing the tour global attention. His collaborative content with fellow paranormal investigator Ryan Daniel Buell went viral, stirring both fascination and controversy as Annabelle’s unsettling legacy drew public attention and debate.
Following Monday’s announcement, tributes poured in from across the paranormal community. Rivera was remembered not only for his dedication to exploring the unknown but also as a devoted husband, father, and friend whose enthusiasm and kindness touched many.
