Matt Rife Acquires Haunted Annabelle Museum: Introduction
Comedian and paranormal enthusiast Matt Rife has made headlines with an unexpected—and chilling—announcement: he is now the caretaker of one of the most infamous haunted collections in America, including the legendary Annabelle doll.
In a move that blends his lifelong interest in the supernatural with showbiz bravado, Rife, alongside YouTuber and ghost-hunting collaborator Elton Castee, has taken over the Warrens’ Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut—the famed home of the real Annabelle doll and over 750 reportedly haunted artifacts.
A Paranormal Purchase Years in the Making
Rife, 29, shared his excitement in a viral post, writing:
“I have officially purchased Ed and Lorraine Warren’s home and Occult Museum, including being the legal guardian for at least the next five years of the entire haunted collection—including THE Annabelle doll.”
This “super random” acquisition, as Rife called it, is a passion project. He has openly expressed his fascination with ghost lore and the Conjuring Universe, calling the horror films based on the Warrens’ cases his “favorite scary movies of all time.”
The True Story of the Annabelle Doll
Contrary to the sinister porcelain figure seen in movies, the real Annabelle is a Raggedy Ann-style cloth doll. When a nursing student named Donna was given the doll as a present in 1970, it became famous. Unexplained movements, eerie handwritten notes, and growing dread led Donna to consult a medium, who claimed the doll was inhabited by a girl named Annabelle Higgins.
However, legendary demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren, founders of the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), offered a grimmer explanation: they believed the doll was a demonic conduit, using the pretense of a child’s spirit to eventually possess a living host.
The Warrens placed the doll in a closed glass display with a terrifying warning to keep the public safe:
“Positively Do Not Open.”
Tragedy Before the Transition
The eerie legacy of Annabelle recently resurfaced following the sudden death of Dan Rivera, the museum’s previous caretaker. Rivera, 54, was on a cross-country tour with the doll when he was found dead in a hotel room. While the autopsy remains inconclusive, police reported no immediate signs of foul play—yet the incident reignited fears surrounding the doll’s infamous curse.
Museum Revival: Rife and Castee’s Paranormal Vision
Though the property is now under Rife and Castee’s stewardship, they clarified that they are legal guardians, not permanent owners, of the haunted items.
Their plans are ambitious and immersive:
- Museum Tours: Reopening the long-shuttered museum for daytime visits and educational tours
- Overnight Stays: Offering thrill-seekers the opportunity to spend the night—or an entire weekend—in the historic and haunted home
- Paranormal Events: Hosting immersive experiences and investigations for enthusiasts and skeptics alike
The museum had previously closed in 2019 due to zoning issues, but under the new guardianship, efforts are underway to bring it back—ethically, legally, and safely.
A Dangerous Legacy or a Cultural Treasure?
Despite Rife’s enthusiasm, public reaction has been mixed. Concerned fans flooded his social media with warnings:
“Don’t touch anything.”“It was nice knowing you…”“You’re braver than me.”
Even Rife himself acknowledged the potential risks in a recent TikTok, joking:
“This is the most random hobby ever. I should probably collect stamps… might be safer.”
Final Thoughts: Haunted Heritage or Hollywood Hype?
Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, there’s no denying the cultural weight of the Warrens’ collection. By fusing history, tradition, and entertainment, Matt Rife’s involvement gives the realm of haunting relics newfound visibility.
As plans to reopen the Warrens’ Occult Museum move forward, the question remains: can comedy and curses coexist under one roof?
Only time—and perhaps Annabelle—will tell.
