Matt Rife Becomes Guardian of Iconic Annabelle Doll With Occult Museum Purchase
I’m Zoe Bennett with a thorough, data-informed overview of comedian Matt Rife’s surprising new role in paranormal history. Objective reporting, insightful analysis – let us begin.
Comedian Matt Rife has officially taken ownership of the former Connecticut residence and occult museum of famed paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, becoming the announced legal guardian of the infamous Annabelle doll for a minimum of five years. Rife revealed this major development in a TikTok post dated August 1, where he explained that he and partner Elton Castee completed the transaction that grants them caretaker status over the Warrens’ entire haunted collection, including the allegedly possessed doll that inspired multiple blockbuster films.
According to Rife, the purchase was motivated by both personal passion and potential revenue streams. The 29-year-old entertainer, best known for his high-energy stand up and crowd work, has long expressed an obsession with supernatural phenomena. In his TikTok announcement he noted that The Conjuring films rank among his all-time favorite scary movies, and that acquiring one of paranormal history’s most prominent properties represents a dream come true for an enthusiast and entrepreneur alike.
While Rife clarified that the transaction does not equate to outright ownership of the Annabelle doll itself, he stressed that his designation as legal guardian authorizes him to supervise, preserve, and exhibit the collection until at least 2028. The original Warrens, credited with popularizing demonology in mainstream culture, established the artifacts as cornerstones of famous haunting narratives such as the Amityville Horror and other Conjuring Universe lore.
Looking ahead, Rife has announced plans to transform the former museum into an immersive visitor experience. In his announcement he said that fans will soon have the chance to book overnight stays, guided investigations, and private tours within the storied halls where decades of paranormal research took place. He summed up the venture as a “random hobby” that turned into a “so cool” business endeavor, joking that he might have been safer collecting stamps instead.
The acquisition comes at a moment of poignant reflection for the broader Annabelle community. Less than a month prior, paranormal investigator Dan Rivera, who helmed a national tour featuring the original doll, died unexpectedly following an event with the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR). Despite rampant online speculation tying the doll to his death, Connecticut coroner Francis Dutrow confirmed that the antique toy was not present in the room at the time of Rivera’s passing. Fellow investigator Jason Hawes publicly condemned the rumors to protect Rivera’s grieving family.
Rivera, a Connecticut native, spent years working directly with Lorraine Warren and later appeared on Travel Channel’s Most Haunted Places and produced Netflix’s 28 Days Haunted. The New England Society for Psychic Research praised his dedication to public education on supernatural phenomena, noting that his kindness and passion left a lasting impact on colleagues and enthusiasts alike.
Matt Rife’s entry into paranormal stewardship injects fresh energy into a field where pop culture and history collide. As he assumes caretaker duties for one of the most chilling artifacts ever cataloged by the Warrens, the project promises to blur the lines between celebrity entertainment, historical preservation, and the enduring allure of the unexplained.
Stay tuned for more updates as Rife opens the museum doors to the public and reshapes the future of haunted tourism. More to come on this evolving story.
Until next time, keep your senses sharp and your skepticism healthy.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! Online, New England Society for Psychic Research, Travel Channel, Netflix
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
