Comedian Matt Rife and YouTuber Elton Castee have purchased the home of the infamous Annabelle doll in Monroe, Connecticut. The building houses the Raggedy Ann doll, a classic fixture in the horror genre and the Conjuring film franchise.
Rife announced the news on Instagram on Friday, calling it an “insane announcement.” He wrote: “I have officially purchased Ed and Lorraine Warren’s home and Occult Museum, including being the legal guardian for at least the next 5 years, of the entire haunted collection including THE ANNABELLE DOLL.” Rife said he is “obsessed with the paranormal” and called the Warrens “the very heart of some of the most famous haunted stories of all time.”
Rife revealed plans to open the house for overnight stays and museum tours, allowing visitors to experience the haunted history. However, some fans raised concerns about the recent death of the doll’s handler, Dan Rivera, who died suddenly on July 13 while on tour with Annabelle. Pennsylvania State Police reported that Rivera was found dead in his hotel room, with no signs of foul play; his cause of death is pending.
Despite the incident, Annabelle will continue touring, with appearances scheduled in Augusta, Maine, on September 6-7, and at other events through October. The doll first appeared in the 2013 film The Conjuring and later starred in its own spin-off franchise.
