The Annabelle Doll: 7 Shocking New Facts And The Comedian Who Now Guards The Cursed Object

The Annabelle doll remains one of the most terrifying and enduring legends in modern paranormal history, a seemingly innocent Raggedy Ann doll that became the centerpiece of the legendary paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren’s most famous case. As of December 2025, the story is far from over, with new developments, including a high-profile change in custody and an unexpected touring schedule, bringing this demonic entity back into the spotlight.

The true story, which inspired the multi-billion-dollar The Conjuring universe, is often obscured by Hollywood fiction, yet the reality of the doll—a simple, oversized toy kept in a sealed glass case—is arguably more unsettling. This article delves into the latest updates, the doll's true history, and the shocking identity of the comedian who now serves as its unexpected "guardian" following the closure of the Warrens' Occult Museum.

The Life and Legacy of Ed and Lorraine Warren: Demonologists and Clairvoyants

Edward "Ed" Warren Miney and Lorraine Rita Warren (née Moran) were a formidable duo who established themselves as the world's most famous paranormal investigators. Their work laid the foundation for modern demonology and inspired dozens of films, books, and television series.

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• Edward "Ed" Warren Miney: (September 7, 1926 – August 23, 2006). A self-taught demonologist, author, and lecturer. Ed was the only non-ordained demonologist recognized by the Catholic Church at the time.
• Lorraine Rita Warren: (January 31, 1927 – April 18, 2019). A professional clairvoyant and trance medium who claimed to possess the gift of reading auras and communicating with the spirit world.
• Origin: Both Ed and Lorraine were born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and married while Ed was serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
• The New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR): The couple founded NESPR in 1952, one of the oldest ghost hunting groups in New England.
• Key Cases: Their investigations included the Amityville Horror haunting in 1975, the Enfield Poltergeist, the Snedeker family haunting (basis for *The Haunting in Connecticut*), and, most famously, the Annabelle doll case.
• The Occult Museum: They established The Warrens' Occult Museum in the basement of their home in Monroe, Connecticut, to house artifacts from their cases, with the Annabelle doll as the central exhibit.

The Real Annabelle: Separating Raggedy Ann from Hollywood Fiction

The cinematic version of Annabelle—a menacing, porcelain doll with a cracked face—is a terrifying but fictional creation. The real Annabelle doll is a vintage Raggedy Ann doll, a stark contrast that makes the reported haunting even more chilling.

1. The Origin Story: Donna, Angie, and the 1970 Case

The Annabelle story began in 1970 when a student nurse named Donna received the Raggedy Ann doll as a birthday gift from her mother. Donna and her roommate, Angie, soon noticed the doll moving on its own. It would shift positions, and later, they would find it in completely different rooms, even when doors were closed.

2. The Chilling Notes and The Medium

The activity escalated when the doll began leaving cryptic notes written on parchment paper, such as "Help Us" or "Miss Me?" Terrified, the young women contacted a medium. The medium claimed that the doll was inhabited by the spirit of a deceased seven-year-old girl named Annabelle Higgins, who had died on the property.

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3. The Warrens’ Intervention: Not a Ghost, But a Demonic Presence

When the activity turned physically violent—a friend of the nurses, Lou, was reportedly attacked and scratched—the Warrens were called in. Ed and Lorraine immediately dismissed the "Annabelle Higgins" ghost story. They concluded that the doll was *not* possessed by a human spirit, but was being manipulated by an inhuman, demonic entity. The entity had feigned being a little girl to gain the nurses' trust, intending to eventually possess one of the women.

4. The Doll’s Containment

After a Catholic priest performed an exorcism of the apartment, the Warrens took the doll. Ed Warren reportedly drove home with the doll, experiencing car troubles and close calls that he attributed to the entity's attempts to stop them. Upon arriving home, the doll was placed in a sealed glass case in the Occult Museum. A sign on the case warns visitors: "POSITIVELY DO NOT OPEN."

The Latest Updates: Annabelle’s New Guardian and 2025 Tour Status

The story of the Annabelle doll received its most significant update in years following the death of Lorraine Warren in 2019 and the subsequent closure of the Warrens' Occult Museum. The doll's custody and location have become a major talking point for paranormal enthusiasts and fans of *The Conjuring* franchise.

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5. The Museum Closure and The New Owners

The Warrens' Occult Museum was closed to the public in 2017 due to zoning issues in Monroe, Connecticut. For a period, the doll was overseen by the Warrens' grandson, Chris McKinnell, who continued to manage the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR).

However, in a major, recent development, it was widely reported in late 2024 and early 2025 that comedian Matt Rife and YouTuber Elton Castee had purchased the Warrens' former home and museum. Matt Rife himself publicly claimed to have become the new "legal guardian" of the cursed Annabelle doll. This high-profile acquisition has thrust the doll back into the global spotlight, raising questions about the security and respect for the powerful entity the Warrens warned about.

6. The Annabelle Doll is Now a Touring Attraction

Contrary to the belief that the doll is permanently sealed away, the real Annabelle doll has been traveling. In recent months, and with plans extending into 2025, the doll has been taken out of its sealed environment for public exhibition.

The doll was reportedly on a tour in New Orleans earlier this year. Furthermore, the real Annabelle doll has been announced for appearances at major paranormal and horror conventions, including a display at ScareFest in Lexington, Kentucky, and an appearance at the Psychic & Spirit Fest in San Antonio in 2025. This touring status, managed by the current custodians, is a controversial decision, as many fans and paranormal experts believe the doll should remain sealed to prevent its influence from spreading.

7. The Doll's Name is an Entity, Not a Ghost

A final, crucial fact often forgotten is the Warrens’ core finding: the entity inhabiting the doll is purely demonic and used the name "Annabelle Higgins" as a deception. The Warrens always maintained that the doll itself is an inanimate object, but it acts as a conduit for an inhuman presence—a distinction that separates a simple ghost from a far more dangerous demonic infestation. This entity is what the new "guardians" and touring venues are now responsible for containing.