Friends of Paranormal Investigator Who Died on Tour Reject Rumors That His Death Was Connected to 'Haunted' Annabelle Doll

Paranormal investigator Dan Rivera died suddenly after a three-day haunting tour, but his friends dismissed rumors that his death was connected to the "haunted" Annabelle doll.

Rivera was found in his Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, hotel room Sunday evening, just hours after wrapping up the final show of his sold-out three-day tour. The 54-year-old Army veteran and father of four died of natural causes, but speculation quickly spread that the Annabelle doll that was featured in both his tour and "The Conjuring" film series had something to do with his death, the Evening Sun reported.

However, Rivera's friends have pushed back at the "disgusting" rumors. Jason Hawes, star of "Ghost Hunters" and founder of The Atlantic Paranormal Society, wrote in a Facebook post shared Tuesday that the late ghost hunter's "family shouldn't have to read that kind of nonsense while they're grieving."

"Dan was a family man, a respected paranormal investigator, and he left this world way too soon," Hawes shared. "Let's focus on remembering Dan for who he was, not turning his death into some made up bulls--t story to get clicks or attention."

First responders were called to Rivera's Gettysburg hotel around 8:30 p.m. Sunday, after being told CPR was in progress. Emergency personnel from Adams Regional EMS and the Gettysburg Fire Department requested the coroner soon after arriving.

According to a statement from state police obtained by Evening Sun, "nothing unusual or suspicious was observed at the scene," and the cause of death is pending autopsy results. The Adams County Coroner's Office also confirmed Rivera's death was not considered suspicious, noting that routine autopsy findings could take 30 to 60 days.