The real-life Annabelle doll has found a new owner, comedian-actor Matt Rife. The 29-year-old recently announced via social media that he had purchased paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren’s home and Occult Museum. The news comes one month after the doll’s previous handler and paranormal investigator, Dan Rivera, reportedly passed away from natural causes. At the time of his death, he was on a tour with the infamous doll.
Matt Rife now owns the haunted Occult Museum
Comedian Matt Rife took to Instagram to confirm that he and his friend, Elton Castee, had purchased Ed and Lorraine Warren’s home and Occult Museum. The actor added that he has become the legal guardian of the museum’s collection of haunted objects, including the Annabelle doll, for at least the next five years.
“If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with the paranormal and all things haunted,” Rife noted. “You also may know The Conjuring films are my favorite scary movies of all time.” He continued, “So I’m incredibly honored to have taken over one of the most prominent properties in paranormal history.”
Rife then confirmed that he and Castee planned to open the house for overnight stays and museum tours. This would allow people to visit the location and experience the history it has to offer.
In a follow-up post, Rife expressed excitement at getting to own Ed and Lorraine Warren’s home and Occult Museum — including its collection of haunted objects, such as the Annabelle doll. However, he clarified that he and Castee did not legally own the haunted objects.
“Couldn’t be happier to own such prominent piece of paranormal history!” Rife captioned the post. He added, “I can’t wait to operate this place with the respect and care it deserves, whilst becoming the greatest paranormal investigation location in the country! Stay tuned!”
Speaking to TMZ, Rife shared that he and Castee planned to open the house for overnight stays and museum tours by next summer. He also explained that Annabelle would return to the museum and “rest safely” there for guests’ visits after finishing the last few stops of her current tour.
Originally reported by Abdul Azim Naushad on ComingSoon.
