Comedian Matt Rife is taking his interest in the paranormal to the next level, announcing that he's recently purchased the famed Connecticut home and museum that houses the allegedly haunted Raggedy Ann doll, Annabelle. Rife announced over the weekend that he and YouTuber Elton Castee have purchased the home and museum belonging to famed paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren and are now tasked with taking care of the home's contents, including Annabelle, the spooky attraction's crown jewel. View image in full screen The Annabelle Raggedy Ann doll sits in a case in the Warren Occult Museum in this undated photo. Jessica Moore/Hartford Courant/Tribune News Service via Getty Images "We are the legal guardians and caretakers of all 750 haunted artifacts and items in the Warren Museum, including the Annabelle doll. I must go on record and say we do not legally own items, but we are the legal guardians and caretakers of the items for at least the next five years," Rife, 29, said in an Instagram video on Saturday, clarifying that while he now owns the Warren Occult Museum, he's not the owner of the 750 curios inside. Story continues below advertisement View this post on InstagramA post shared by Matt Rife (@mattrife)Tony Spera, the Warrens' son-in-law and co-director of the late couple's organization, New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), told Today.com that he and his wife still own the collection, including the Annabelle doll, and are only leasing them to Rife and Castee. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. "We have no plans to ever 'sell' the artifacts," he said in a statement. View image in full screen FILE - A doll is seen at the Warner Bros. premiere of 'Annabelle Comes Home' at Regency Village Theatre on June 20, 2019, in Westwood, Calif. Rich Fury/FilmMagic "If you know me, you know I'm obsessed with the paranormal and all things haunted," Rife captioned a photo of himself and Castee posing with the doll. Story continues below advertisement "You also may know The Conjuring films are my favorite scary movies of all time. So I'm incredibly honored to have taken over one of the most prominent properties in paranormal history. Ed and Lorain Warren arguably put demonology and paranormal into the mainstream and are the very heart of some of the most famous haunted stories of all time, The Conjuring House, Amityville Horror, etc..." View this post on InstagramA post shared by Matt Rife (@mattrife) Trending Now Titan sub: Final report blames OceanGate's 'critically flawed' safety culture U.S. may ask tourist, business visa applicants to post US$15,000 bond Annabelle inspired a series of films in recent years; the opening scene of 2013's The Conjuring features the doll, as well as spin-off flicks Annabelle (2014), Annabelle: Creation (2017) and Annabelle Comes Home (2019), the latter which takes place exclusively in the Warrens' residence.
According to Realtor.com, the Warren Occult Museum shut down in 2019 amid a number of zoning issues. Now, Rife says he and Castee have plans to restore the house and welcome visitors. Story continues below advertisement "We plan to open the house for overnight stays and museum tours, so you yourself can experience and learn all the haunted history surrounding this amazing place," he wrote.
The NESPR has long claimed Annabelle is attached to "an inhuman demonic spirit." Paranormal investigator Zak Bagans told US Weekly that the doll is known to move on its own, leave messages on paper for its owners and change positions.
Rife's guardianship of the doll comes just weeks after NESPR investigator Dan Rivera died suddenly in his hotel room while showcasing the doll on the national Devils on the Run Tour. 0:35 Paranormal investigator carrying "possessed" Annabelle doll dies suddenly According to E! News, a July 16 police report labelled his death as "natural," but a final cause of death won't be determined until an autopsy is completed. Story continues below advertisement Authorities said that the doll was not present when Rivera passed away.
In his video, Rife acknowledged the potential risks he's taking in living under the same roof as Annabelle."This is the most random hobby ever, but it's so f-ing cool, man," he said. "I should probably collect stamps or something - might be a little safer." More on World More videos Titan sub: Final report blames OceanGate's 'critically flawed' safety culture Bill and Hillary Clinton subpoenaed in Epstein investigation by House committee Russia says it's no longer bound by intermediate missile moratorium Canada's trade with U.S. still 'quite weak' despite June rise: economists Trump praises Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle ad amid backlash Vancouver considers rezoning some indu