In a move straight out of a horror thriller, comedian Matt Rife and YouTube star Elton Castee have purchased the former Ed and Lorraine Warren Occult Museum and home in Monroe, Connecticut. They’re now the legal guardians of over 750 haunted artifacts, including the infamous Annabelle doll, for at least five years.
While they don’t outright own the artifacts, Rife explained they will care for them and preserve one of the world’s most chilling collections.
Matt Rife Becomes Guardian of Annabelle Doll
Rife announced via TikTok and Instagram hoping to revitalize the legacy of the Warrens’ paranormal museum.
Annabelle, a Raggedy Ann doll described by the Warrens as possessed by a demonic spirit in the 1970s, is the star exhibit.
The duo plans to reopen the site for overnight stays, museum tours, and immersive paranormal experiences, though the property last operated publicly in 2019 due to zoning restrictions.
Annabelle Doll Paranormal Precautions & Legacy
Rife is upfront about the risks: “This is the most random hobby ever, but it’s so f—ing cool,” he said, while acknowledging potential supernatural concerns.
The museum has been shuttered since 2019 because local zoning laws prohibited a museum within a residential neighborhood—and rezoning issues remain unresolved.
Ed and Lorraine Warren founded the New England Society for Psychic Research in 1952 and amassed the Occult Museum in the back of their Monroe home. The museum housed items from famous investigations, including Amityville and Eastern Airlines Flight 401 relics.
The Annabelle doll allegedly displayed strange phenomena—writing messages, moving on its own—which led the Warrens to declare it demonically possessed. It inspired several horror films within The Conjuring universe.
Dan RIvera’s Death Sparks Concern Over Annabelle Doll
The recent death of Dan Rivera, a lead paranormal investigator and tour guide, occurred while Annabelle was on tour. Rivera died unexpectedly in July, though officials confirmed the doll was not present at the scene, dispelling accident rumors.
Rivera’s passing heightened public interest and concern over the doll’s mystique and the risks tied to haunted artifacts.
What Rife and Castee are doing goes beyond fame, it’s a dedication to preserving paranormal folklore. Reopening the Warrens’ house and museum could offer fans an immersive, eerie experience like no other. But it also invites new scrutiny into the line between entertainment, history, and supernatural legacy.
FAQs
Comedian Matt Rife and YouTuber Elton Castee have become legal guardians of the Annabelle doll and the entire Warren Occult Museum collection for at least five years. They purchased the Warren home in Monroe, Connecticut, where the artifacts are stored.
Yes. They plan to reopen the home for overnight stays and museum tours, allowing fans to experience the haunted history of Annabelle and other paranormal artifacts. However, zoning issues must be resolved before it officially opens.
The Annabelle doll is a Raggedy Ann doll said to be demonically possessed. It gained worldwide fame after being featured in The Conjuring film franchise, which was based on the investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren.
No. Dan Rivera, a longtime tour guide for the Warren museum, died unexpectedly in July 2025. Officials confirmed Annabelle was not present at the time of his death, dismissing rumors of a supernatural connection.
That’s the plan. Rife and Castee want to create overnight paranormal experiences, but they must first resolve legal zoning restrictions before the museum can legally operate again.
The Warrens always claimed that many artifacts, especially Annabelle, carry negative energy and could harm people if mishandled. Rife said he’s fully aware of the risks and intends to follow all safety protocols.
Rife is a huge paranormal fan and called The Conjuring films his favorite horror franchise. He says becoming Annabelle’s caretaker is an honor and an opportunity to preserve paranormal history.