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Annabelle the Doll: From Delightful Toy to Horrifying Legend, by Fiona Dodwell, Heather Greene, and Patti Negri
(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)
Annabelle in Warren's Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut.
Photograph: AmityPhotos/Alamy via The Guardian
It's hard to believe that the legendary Annabelle doll, who rose to infamy in the 1970s, is still making headlines—and yet here we are. It's 2025 and the red-haired Raggedy Ann, much like her legend and the frightening rumours that constantly surround her, still persists. She captivates us, and it's little wonder why. What is the history and truth surrounding this allegedly haunted doll, though? We have heard so much, from so many sources, that it's almost impossible to untangle her fraught history. From humble beginnings at an unremarkable antique store, to her starring role in Hollywood Horror, she has certainly made her mark—and her story is one certainly worth re-examining. Here, Fiona Dodwell (author of A Cursed Collection of Haunted Dolls), Heather Greene (author of Lights, Camera, Witchcraft), and Patti Negri (author of Dollcraft) delve into the history—and mystery—of Annabelle. Fiona Dodwell begins with Annabelle's history.
The story begins in 1970, when nurse Deirdre Bernard received the cute Raggedy Ann as a gift from her mother. Deirdre was 25 years old at the time (some sources say 24) and living with a roommate. She apparently found the doll to be a quirky and unusual gift, and placed the doll on display in her accommodation. It wasn't too long before she noticed strange things happening, though—such as the doll being found in places where she knew she had not left it, and there were accounts of handwritten notes being found written in a creepy, childlike scrawl. According to Gerald Brittle's account in his book The Demonologists (his biography of Ed and Lorraine Warren), "Once, the girls left the Annabelle doll on Dierdre's bed and came home and found the doll kneeling in the living room. They tried to recreate the doll's kneeling position and were not able to make the doll kneel without it falling over." More disturbing was the account of the boyfriend of her flatmate receiving scratches and suffering with terrifying nightmares about the Raggedy Ann.
The nurse called in help from a medium, who said that the doll was haunted by a harmless child called Annabelle, and that she simply wanted to live in the doll alongside the nurses. Thinking that this was nothing to worry about, Deirdre agreed and welcomed the little girl's spirit; after this, things seemed to go from bad to worse. Marks like spots of blood appeared on Annabelle, amongst other phenomena. The paranormal activity soon reached a climax and the nurses were put in touch with infamous demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren.
The Warrens, who had been involved with huge paranormal cases, such as the Amityville Horror, soon investigated and confirmed that yes, the doll was haunted—not with a child, however, but with a deceitful demonic entity who wanted to find a way to possess one of the nurses. Petrified, Deirdre gave the doll to the Warrens and asked them to take care of the disturbing issue. The couple agreed, and the doll was soon placed in their Occult Museum behind a sign that infamously reads, "Positively Do Not Touch."
That is where Annabelle remained, stored safely inside a glass cabinet, far away from the touch of a curious public. Over the years, of course, her legend grew. Ghost Adventures filmed a Halloween episode in 2019 in which Zak Bagans met Annabelle; Hollywood adopted her story and made her the star of the Annabelle movie franchise (2014-2019), starring Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson. Although she also has a cameo in The Conjuring (2013).
With newly found fame in hand, the red-haired toy went on tour in 2025 and has been linked to a number of disturbing events.
What, exactly, happened earlier this year? Heather Greene takes the story to the current day and examines what happened when Annabelle made headlines recently.
From Delightful Toy to Horrifying Legend
Annabelle began her whirlwind tour of the US in May. During her travels from location to location, strange occurrences and even tragedies have been reported, generating rumor, finger-pointing, and even fear. But, before looking at recent reports, let’s go back again and pull back the curtain on who Annabelle really is.Created by the Knickerbocker Toy Company in the mid-1960s, Annabelle is a simple Raggedy Ann Doll made from cloth and yarn. The real Annabelle looks nothing like the smirking blonde haired doll used in the films.
The Knickerbocker Toy Company was first founded in 1869 by the Dutch Van Whye family and, over time, it became best known for its Disney-branded dolls of the 1930s and 1940s and its later Holly Hobby ragdoll line of the 1970s. In 1983, the company was sold to Hasbro.
Knickerbocker was not the first company to capitalize on the popularity of the character. First created around the turn of the 20th century by John Barton Gruelle, Raggedy Ann was the center of amusing stories designed to delight young children. Gruelle first imagined the character to cheer up his daughter Marcella, who was suffering from reactions to a smallpox vaccine. As legend has it, he even created the first doll from one found in the family home. Gruelle eventually set the stories into comics strips and shared them widely for other children to read.
Marcella unfortunately passed 1915 after battling illness, but Gruelle continued developing the character and publishing the stories and eventually licensed a toy line. The first mass-produced Raggedy Ann doll appeared in stores in 1918. And the rest, as they say, is history.
With that long legacy, Annabelle may not be the only Raggedy Ann doll considered "haunted," but she is the only one that has made national headlines and captivated imaginations. She is certainly the only one that has garnered a film franchise. Today, Annabelle is largely considered one of the most haunted dolls, alongside Robert the Doll.
As noted earlier, Annabelle first received national attention in 1970 as part of Ed and Lorraine Warren's paranormal investigative work. Since that time, she has lived in a special glass case within the Warren’s occult museum in Monroe, Connecticut. Her enclosure is warded and sealed using methods known to the Warrens, whose work was based on their Roman Catholic faith.
After the passing of Ed in 2006 and Lorraine in 2019, Tony Spera, the Warren's son-in-law, became the owner and curator of the museum. Although the museum is now closed to the public, it remains filled with objects from the Warren's original investigations, including Annabelle, as well as newer items discovered by the next generation of investigators working with the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), founded originally in 1952 by the Warrens and now run by Spera.
Daniel Rivera was one of these new NESPR investigators. He was mentored by Lorraine and became the organization's lead senior paranormal investigator and Annabelle's handler. Several years ago, he built a new case for her, complete with new wards and protections.
He told CT Insider in 2022, "The reason why I built the case was because the museum was closed and we wanted to keep educating the public about these items that Ed and Lorraine collected." Rivera used Ed's original design.
There is video of him moving the doll into her new enclosure.
On rare occasions, NESPR did display Annabelle at paranormal events, along with other Warren artifacts, to the delight of paranormal enthusiasts and perhaps horror film enthusiasts. As noted by Rivera, they wanted to keep "educating the public."
In May 2025, NESPR began a US tour called "The Devil's on the Run Tour" with Annabelle as the feature. The tour began in West Virginia at its notorious haunted state prison. From there, the tour moved across states, hitting places like New Orleans, San Antonio, Gettysburg, and others. As the tour travelled across the states, social media lit up with speculation about the doll's misdeeds, including periodic rumors that she had gone missing. NESPR repeatedly confirmed that Annabelle was safely enclosed and under their care. Speculation of escape has surrounded Annabelle for years, so such reports were to be expected.
Another more unusual report claimed that, while in Texas, Annabelle stopped at a Buc-ee's for some beef jerky and beaver nuggets. As it turned out, it was a replica of the movie doll, not Annabelle herself, who stopped to meet the famous rest stop Beaver.
The doll was blamed for the May 16, 2025 Orleans Parish Prison jail break, during which 10 inmates escaped through a hole in the wall behind a toilet. Then, two months later while in Pennsylvania, she was blamed for a statewide 911 outage.
During a tour presentation, Rivera said "we did not burn down that plantation," and "we did not free those prisoners,” according to a report in the Evening Sun.
However, just a day after the 911 failure, Annabelle was linked to something far more tragic. While visiting Gettysburg, Daniel Rivera, Annabelle's beloved handler, was found dead in his hotel room at the age of 54. His untimely death immediately drew speculation that the doll was instrumental in his demise. Media seized upon the moment, creating a feeding frenzy of sensationalized stories.
The coroner and local law enforcement have since noted that there is no evidence of any foul play or anything else unusual surrounding Rivera's death. Presumably hoping to curb fear and sensationalist reactions, the coroner noted that the doll was not in the hotel room with Rivera.
Sadly, Rivera left behind a wife and four children. In a GoFundMe post, his oldest son, David, wrote of his father: "He lit up every room with his smile, kindness, and sarcastic witty humor."
Spera has since said that NESPR will continue the tour as planned to honor the work and life of Rivera. Currently listed are stops in Illinois, Maine, and Kentucky.
Since Rivera's passing, there has been continued fear and concern that the doll is dangerous. Tony Spera has repeatedly said that she is not.
In fact, the NESPR team told CT Insider in 2022 that they do not know if the doll is still "possessed." However, given her history, they don't seem to want to take a chance. Whether or not she is still "haunted" or capable of any of the acts with which she is associated, Annabelle does remain a key artifact in the Warren's museum and an important piece in their story as paranormal investigators.
Because of that legacy, Annabelle has transformed Raggedy Ann's own history and has also become a key feature in the story of the American doll. And, as if that wasn't enough, thanks to the Conjuring Universe film franchise, Annabelle now has a starring place in film history and may one day get her own IMDB page and star on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, along with Kermit the Frog, Bugs Bunny, and Godzilla.
Considering visiting Annabelle on what remains of her tour? Patti Negri shares some information on how to both respect the doll and protect yourself while you do so.
Haunted Dolls, Respect, and Protection: What To Know When You Meet Annabelle (or Any Haunted Doll)
Haunted dolls are having their moment in the sun—and in the shadows. Annabelle may be the most famous haunted doll in the world—and for good reason. But she isn't alone. Haunted dolls like Robert the Doll, Peggy, or countless unnamed spirit-infused dolls quietly tucked away in homes and antique shops across the globe all carry their own unique energy and stories.What they share is this: they are more than just creepy curios or movie props. Haunted dolls are vessels—of emotion, memory, spirit, and power. And whether you're encountering one in a museum, an investigation, or your own home, it's vital to approach them with a mix of caution, respect, and spiritual awareness.
Let's talk about what to do—and what not to do—when you find yourself face-to-face with a haunted doll like Annabelle.
Be Respectful (Always)
This is rule number one. Haunted dolls are often vessels for spirits, imprints, or intense emotional energy. Some are benign or even sweet, while others are moody, mischievous, or downright malevolent. Either way, they deserve to be treated with dignity.Don't mock or challenge a haunted doll. It's not a reality show stunt. What you put out, you get back—and provoking a spirit can lead to real consequences, both energetically and emotionally.
A respectful, "Hello, I acknowledge your presence," offered out loud or silently, is often enough to set the tone. Think of it like visiting someone's home—you wouldn't barge in shouting or start rifling through their things. The same principle applies.
Don't Touch Without Permission
I say this all the time: just because something can be touched, doesn't mean it should be. Many haunted dolls are protected for a reason. Some carry deep attachments, traumatic imprints, or are vessels for spirit entities. Touching them—especially without asking—can act like an invitation or a tether.If you're at a haunted museum or paranormal event and you're allowed to be near the dolls, admire with your eyes, not your hands. And if you must touch one (in a ritual, a cleansing, or an adoption situation), always ask for permission. Spirit understands intention.
Use Protection (Energetically Speaking!)
Whether you're ghost hunting, visiting a museum, or just walking past a creepy-looking doll in an antique shop that gives you the chills, it's wise to have your energetic armor on. Protection isn't about fear—it's about boundaries. You don't leave your front door open at night, right? The same goes for your spiritual self.Before any interaction, take a moment to:
- Ground and center. Breathe. Visualize roots growing from your feet into the earth.
- Shield yourself. Imagine a glowing golden or white light surrounding your body.
- Carry crystals. Black tourmaline, obsidian, or hematite are excellent for energetic shielding.
- Anoint with protective oil. Frankincense, rosemary, or a blend of your own creation works beautifully.
- Set your intention. A simple affirmation like, "Only energies of the highest good may approach," can be very powerful.
Trust Your Intuition
This is the psychic sixth sense that so many of us ignore. If a doll—or the energy around it—feels heavy, dizzying, or "off," trust that. It doesn't mean the doll is evil, but it may not be resonating well with your energy. Step back. Breathe. Re-center. No spiritual growth or paranormal experience is worth compromising your peace of mind.My Evening with Annabelle (Yes, Really!)
Last September, I had a wonderfully eerie experience at the Warrens Paracon in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania—a convention full of paranormal enthusiasts, speakers, and of course, haunted objects. I had my usual vendor table to greet folks and sell my books, but this time... things were a little different.My table was set up in the same large room that housed the Warrens' Traveling Museum of Haunted Objects—including Annabelle herself! And guess what? The only thing separating my cheerful little book nook from the famously haunted doll and her haunted neighbors was a thin curtain. That's it. No brick wall. No lead shielding. Just a curtain.
And I was directly behind one of the darkest haunted objects in the entire exhibit (no, not Annabelle—but she was close!).
From the moment the doors opened that first morning, I felt it: my mood dropped, my energy drained, and a thick, oppressive heaviness settled over me. Not ideal when you're trying to be upbeat and chatty at a vendor booth!
So, I did what any witch would do. I raised an energetic wall of protection—not just around myself, but behind my table, across the curtain, and around my whole energetic field. I called in the elements, set my intention, and visualized my personal magickal shield snapping into place.
Instantly, the energy shifted. My mood lifted. My sparkle returned. It was like flipping a light switch.
Later that evening, we had a mixer, "beyond the curtain" in the haunted object museum itself. My protections were still up, and I felt strong, safe, and... playful. So what did I do? I danced. Right there in front of Annabelle's case. She watched from behind her protective glass, and I swear—I felt her enjoying it. No fear. No challenge. Just two spirits sharing a moment of joyful connection.
Aftercare: Cleanse & Clear
If you've spent time with a haunted doll or in an energetically intense environment, take care of yourself afterward. Do a quick clearing:- Burn a protective herb like palo santo, sage, mugwort, or rosemary.
- Take a cleansing bath with sea salt and a splash of Florida Water.
- Say: "I release all energy that is not mine. I am clear, I am grounded, I am protected."
Final Thoughts
Haunted dolls aren't always the demonic villains horror movies make them out to be. Many are simply misunderstood. Some are mischievous. Some are wise. And yes, some should absolutely be left alone.But with respect, protection, and intuition, you can experience these magickal objects in ways that are not only safe—but spiritually enriching.
As I always say, magick is everywhere… and sometimes in haunted dolls.
Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2025. All rights reserved.
