Comedian Matt Rife buys the infamous Annabelle doll and Warren home: Here’s what he paid and what’s included

Comedian and internet sensation Matt Rife has announced his purchase of one of America’s most notorious paranormal landmarks, the former home of famed demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren, along with their infamous Occult Museum that houses the real-life Annabelle doll.

Rife, known for his stand-up specials and massive social media following, revealed the acquisition on Instagram, calling it a personal dream come true. “I have officially purchased Ed and Lorraine Warren's home and Occult Museum, including being the legal guardian for at least the next 5 years, of the entire haunted collection, including THE ANNABELLE DOLL, with my good friend @eltoncastee!!” he wrote.

He also expressed his passion for all things haunted, calling ‘The Conjuring’ franchise his all-time favourite, and said he was “incredibly honoured” to have taken ownership of “one of the most prominent properties in paranormal history.”

Who is Matt Rife?

Matt Rife is an American comedian and actor, born on September 10, 1995, in Columbus, Ohio. He started performing stand-up comedy at just 15 and gained early recognition as the youngest cast member on MTV’s ‘Wild ’n Out’. His blend of sharp crowd work and relatability catapulted him to viral fame, especially on TikTok.

Beyond comedy, Rife has appeared in popular shows like ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’, ‘Anger Management’, and ‘KC Undercover’. His comedy special ‘Natural Selection’ on Netflix further boosted his global fanbase.

By 2025, Rife had amassed a reported net worth of $50 million through stand-up tours, brand deals, and smart real estate investments, including a $5 million Los Angeles home and a $3 million Miami apartment. His ability to purchase the Warrens’ property reflects his robust financial portfolio.

A closer look at the haunted collection

The property, located at 30 Knollwood Street in Monroe, Connecticut, once served as the home of Ed and Lorraine Warren, the couple behind over 3,000 real-life paranormal investigations. Their case files inspired the billion-dollar ‘Conjuring’ universe and other horror classics such as ‘The Amityville Horror’.

At the heart of the collection lies the Annabelle doll, not the porcelain version popularised by Hollywood, but a large Raggedy Ann doll. A key photo shared by Rife shows him and YouTuber Elton Castee posing with the doll, which remains secured in a glass case bearing the label: “Warning: Positively Do Not Open.”

The museum, previously open to the public, was closed in 2019 due to zoning violations. Rife has confirmed that it will now reopen for overnight stays and guided tours, allowing fans and thrill-seekers to witness its eerie history firsthand.

Origins of Annabelle

According to the New England Society of Psychic Research (NESPR), which the Warrens founded in 1952, Annabelle first surfaced in 1970 when a nurse named Donna received the doll as a birthday gift. Soon, she and her roommate began noticing strange behaviour — the doll changing positions, moving between rooms, and eerie handwritten notes appearing on parchment paper they never owned.

One visitor to their apartment even reported waking from a nap with scratch wounds after feeling strangled, with the doll seemingly staring at him. The doll was even said to leak blood at one point.

A medium’s séance revealed the spirit of a 7-year-old girl named Annabelle Higgins had supposedly attached itself to the doll and wished to remain with the roommates. Donna and Angie agreed — a decision that would prove dangerous.

After being contacted by a concerned priest, the Warrens intervened. They concluded the doll was not haunted by a human spirit, but instead manipulated by an “inhuman presence” seeking a human host. “The next stage of the infestation phenomenon would have been complete human possession,” NESPR’s case file warned. Before leaving with the doll, the Warrens had the apartment blessed and doused the doll in holy water during a treacherous car ride home.

How much did Rife pay?

While Matt Rife has not disclosed the cost of the purchase, online property listings estimate the value of the home at between $551,914 and $683,000. The house spans 2,544 square feet with four bedrooms and two baths. However, considering the haunted artefacts included in the deal — especially one as iconic as Annabelle — the final price could be higher than the listed range.

Importantly, Rife’s purchase appears to include legal custodianship of the artefacts for at least five years, adding unique value beyond the real estate.

The sudden death of Dan Rivera

Annabelle’s ominous legacy resurfaced recently with the unexpected death of paranormal investigator Dan Rivera. Rivera, who had been touring the doll across the United States as part of the ‘Devils on the Run’ exhibit, died suddenly in his Pennsylvania hotel room on Sunday, July 13, just hours after finishing a three-day event in Gettysburg.

Authorities found no signs of foul play, and the doll was not present at the scene. Adams County Coroner Francis Dutrow confirmed Rivera’s body was discovered by hotel staff, and a Pennsylvania State Police report stated, “Nothing unusual or suspicious was observed at the scene.”

Rivera’s death has only added to the mystique and unease surrounding the infamous doll.

A timely acquisition amid a franchise finale

Rife’s high-profile purchase couldn’t have come at a more cinematic moment. Warner Bros recently unveiled the first trailer for ‘The Conjuring: Last Rites’, the final chapter in the franchise inspired by the Warrens’ case files.

Set in 1986, the film sees Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprise their roles as Ed and Lorraine Warren as they investigate the Smurl haunting in Pennsylvania — only to confront a familiar demonic presence from their earliest cases. A brief glimpse of the Annabelle doll in the trailer serves as a chilling nod to her continued relevance.

(With inputs from ANI)