Social media users theorized that the allegedly haunted Annabelle doll was behind the July 2025 death of paranormal investigator Dan Rivera.

But the most prominent and subtle antagonist of the series is the Annabelle doll that is a vessel to a demonic entity. The toy is based on a real one from the case files of the real Ed and Lorraine Warren,

The sudden death of 54-year-old Dan Rivera, who was on tour with Annabelle, said to be the world’s most haunted doll, is being mourned by the paranormal world.