The supernatural community went bonkers when news broke that paranormal investigator Dan Rivera had suddenly died in July. There was something in particular that made it especially sensational: it happened while he was on tour with the infamous Annabelle doll for the Devils on the Run Tour.
Authorities couldn’t determine exactly what caused his death at that time. A medical examiner would have to report on that, and that’s taken a couple of months. But right away, authorities ruled out foul play, saying Rivera’s death didn’t appear suspicious.
However, as you might imagine, that didn’t stop people from saying, “Annabelle did it!”
Sadly.
Here we are in 2025, when you think we’d be more evolved as humans. Nope. People still believe superstitious nonsense that an inanimate object like a doll could kill someone.
It was, in fact, something much scarier and more prevalent: America’s leading cause of death.
Heart Disease Killed Dan Rivera
On Sep. 4, E! News obtained a statement from coroner Francis Dutrow about Dan Rivera’s cause of death: “Mr. Rivera had a known history of cardiac issues, which were consistent with the findings.”
But what was even more interesting was what else Dutrow added, specifically concerning the doll: “It is also confirmed that Annabelle was not present in the room at the time of his (Rivera’s) passing.”
Cigarettes Are Scarier Than Haunted Dolls
Those who blame the doll for his death will of course dismiss this and argue it away.
“The mere fact that he had contact with her confirms her evilness,” they might say.
Or, “Just because she wasn’t in the room with him when they found her doesn’t mean she wasn’t there before. She clearly left.”
I don’t like to intelligence-shame or health-shame anyone, but his Instagram photo above reveals all. Anyone who doesn’t see the cancer stick dangling from his mouth as more dangerous than any allegedly haunted doll could ever be is pretty damn dim.
Smoking might not result in a quick death, but it’s a killer nonetheless. It’s why doctors urge patients to ditch the unhealthy habit. It doesn’t pair well with living a long life. But it does exacerbate the chances of America’s leading killer (heart disease) getting you. And if it doesn’t, the second leading one (cancer) is lurking in the wings waiting for its chance to strike.
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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A life time of negative health habits will shorten your life for certain.
A cursed doll had nothing to do with it.
I think the strength of healthy or unhealthy habits is stronger than a doll’s curse … if Annabelle indeed holds a curse.
I was hoping you would do a little discussion on the success of Weapons.
I saw it last week. Good movie.
Ooo, Maria, once again both you and Priscilla concoct wordsmithery that makes my muse’s heart swoon, and makes me so envious you have the gift of poignant brevity!
Well said, Priscilla, well said. Or written as the case is. Like I also told Maria, I am once again dazzled by your concise mastery of words!
Hi! Okay, I’ve been AWOL again. Just now seeing your comment. I ended up renting Weapons last night because I’d heard so many good things about it. I liked it but…not as much as everyone else. I may have dozed off during a crucial point that explained what kind of witch Aunt Gladys was. Or was she more of a vampire witch? I don’t know, but there were some things that bugged me about her. Would LOVE to hear your thoughts. Either here or maybe I will write a post. So funny you brought that up because I woke up this morning debating whether or not I should. lol
I didn’t use to go see horror movies until I moved to this small town in NM. Then cabin fever struck and I would go to the movies just to get out of the house.
I haven’t been interested in the Conjuring films because I know a little too much about the Warrens and find those films over the top. I prefer a good ghost story. (And there’s supposedly one coming out from the perspective of a family’s dog.) I had heard some good things about Weapons so I went. The premise was really interesting. The film also works as a mystery as it turns out, with two characters trying to solve it. The fact that it turned out to be kind of an energy-vampire witch was an interesting change of pace. Amy Madigan was pretty scary. Good cast too. And apparently, a lot of people have been going to see it because it isn’t your usual slasher film or Conjuring-jump scare movie.
Gosh. What a great excuse to get out of the house for! Horror movies!! lol
Okay, I guess I didn’t much a crucial explanation of Aunt Gladys. lol
Also, I should’ve said what I posted on Bluesky about my initial thoughts on Weapons in my first reply to you: Julia Garner, Josh Brolin and Amy Madigan all nailed their performances, but especially Madigan. Next to her role in Uncle Buck, this is my newest fave character for her. She was scary AF!
And I liked the weird mystery of it, but not the ambiguity with how she got to be the way she was. Or why Brolin snapped out of her trance the second Alex cracked her. Or why 2:17? Besides the fact that’s when she cast her spell, was their any significance to that time?
And little things bugged me like when Justine was in her house at night and someone (who later turned out to be Archer) knocked on her door, she was peaking through her closed right side blinds, but the ones on the left of the door were open…and when she steps outside, a porch is right by those open blinds. Why wouldn’t she have shut those? And why did Archer snap out of the spell and went back to normal, but no one else did? Just because he was so newly formed?
Anyway, you inspired me to write about it. Still polishing the post, but just know you were the green light my muse needed! lol
Oh and also…yes. It was nice to have a refreshing new plot and characters, not a sequel! Also, I don’t like the Conjuring movies for the exact same reason as you and I just told another friend about that this weekend when she asked if I was seeing the newest one that came out. I was able to stomach the first two, but only made it 10 minutes in to the third. Was glad I streamed it. I would’ve been pissed at myself for paying money to see it in a theater. I may try to stream the fourth when it comes out…or not. I may be fine skipping it. lol
All I could figure was her power involved that sticker bush/shrub, something belonging to one of her victims and her blood. I didn’t mind the ambiguity about her, where she came from, how she wielded her powers – she just WAS this malevolent parasitic being. But then I’ve embarked on my annual Autumn/Halloween spooky book reading period. I’m currently reading an anthology: Never Whistle at Night. I just dive in and enjoy myself, kind of like with this movie.
The audience I was with giggled a little when she got her panic-stricken comeuppance. That, and all the people reacting to the stampede tearing through their homes.
I didn’t catch the details you did. Too involved in the film, i guess and trying to figure out the mystery of it all.
I really did like the use of the George Harrison song at the beginning though: Beware of darkness….
I think 217 referred to the time the spell was cast?
I could be wrong. It might have been a reference to something that tied into the theme.
Ah see? You may have hit the nail on the head. This may be one of those movies best enjoyed in a theater. I wanted so so so badly to be like you and turn my brain off and just enjoy whatever was to come.
And see? There you go again picking up on the music details! lol
“malevolent parasitic being” = such a good description. She was sure that. And I knew she drew her power from that tree/bush thing but what kind of plant is it? Where would someone get that? How would they even know about it? More questions I didn’t even think of before. lol
Also, going to check out that Never Whistle at Night anthology. Thanks for that tip!
Yes. It was totally the time the spell was cast. I just wondered if there was more meaning to it since 2:17 was so heavily referenced. I thought it was some kind of clue but more like a red herring I guess. lol