The infamous Annabelle doll—widely considered one of the most haunted objects on Earth—sparked a wave of internet hysteria after fans claimed she mysteriously vanished during a stop on the U.S. paranormal showcase “Devils on the Run.”
The chilling rumors erupted after visitors at a recent tour stop noticed Annabelle wasn’t visible in her display, prompting fears that the doll had somehow escaped. Social media exploded with speculation, conspiracy theories, and memes as users tried to piece together what had happened.
The online panic escalated further when a fire broke out at the historic Nottoway Resort in White Castle, Louisiana—just days after Annabelle had been exhibited nearby. Authorities confirmed no injuries and ruled out any paranormal connection, but many online pointed to the timing as an eerie coincidence.
“So the streets are saying after they moved the Annabelle doll out of the Warren museum (when they explicitly said never to move it) she's now gone missing,” one user posted on X.
Another wrote, “WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY LOST THE ANNABELLE DOLL??? THAT ANNABELLE???”
“Annabelle is NOT lost.”
Thankfully, the hysteria didn’t last long. Dan Rivera of the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), which oversees the Warren Occult Museum’s collection, released a video showing Annabelle safe in her glass case in Connecticut.
“Some wild and crazy internet rumors this morning claiming that we lost Annabelle. She/it is NOT lost,” read the caption from paranormal investigator Ryan D. Buell.
The Doll That Haunts Millions
Annabelle’s disturbing legend began in the 1970s, when a nurse in Hartford, Connecticut, received the seemingly innocent Raggedy Ann doll as a gift. It wasn’t long before the doll reportedly began moving on its own, leaving handwritten notes, and even attacking a houseguest.
Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren concluded the doll wasn’t possessed by a child’s ghost—but manipulated by a malevolent demonic entity. The Warrens placed it under strict containment in their Occult Museum, warning it should never be moved.
Though the Monroe, Connecticut-based museum is now closed to the public, Annabelle is currently touring the country as part of “Devils on the Run,” a traveling exhibit showcasing artifacts from the Warrens’ archives. In May, Annabelle drew headlines after a chilling appearance at West Virginia’s former Moundsville State Penitentiary. A video of her being moved into the prison racked up over 9 million views on TikTok.
From Horror Film Icon to Internet Meme
Annabelle’s real-life legend was supercharged by Hollywood. Since the release of Annabelle (2014), the spin-off from The Conjuring franchise, the doll has become a horror icon. The film series has grossed more than $800 million worldwide and helped cement her image in pop culture.
As the exhibit moves on to San Antonio, Texas, with future stops planned in Illinois, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania, fans continue to debate whether the doll ever truly left the museum—or if the so-called “disappearance” was simply a masterclass in viral marketing.
Whatever the truth, one thing is certain: Annabelle still has the power to terrify millions.
The chilling rumors erupted after visitors at a recent tour stop noticed Annabelle wasn’t visible in her display, prompting fears that the doll had somehow escaped. Social media exploded with speculation, conspiracy theories, and memes as users tried to piece together what had happened.
The online panic escalated further when a fire broke out at the historic Nottoway Resort in White Castle, Louisiana—just days after Annabelle had been exhibited nearby. Authorities confirmed no injuries and ruled out any paranormal connection, but many online pointed to the timing as an eerie coincidence.
“So the streets are saying after they moved the Annabelle doll out of the Warren museum (when they explicitly said never to move it) she's now gone missing,” one user posted on X.
Another wrote, “WHAT DO YOU MEAN THEY LOST THE ANNABELLE DOLL??? THAT ANNABELLE???”
“Annabelle is NOT lost.”
Thankfully, the hysteria didn’t last long. Dan Rivera of the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), which oversees the Warren Occult Museum’s collection, released a video showing Annabelle safe in her glass case in Connecticut.
“Some wild and crazy internet rumors this morning claiming that we lost Annabelle. She/it is NOT lost,” read the caption from paranormal investigator Ryan D. Buell.
The Doll That Haunts Millions
Annabelle’s disturbing legend began in the 1970s, when a nurse in Hartford, Connecticut, received the seemingly innocent Raggedy Ann doll as a gift. It wasn’t long before the doll reportedly began moving on its own, leaving handwritten notes, and even attacking a houseguest.Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren concluded the doll wasn’t possessed by a child’s ghost—but manipulated by a malevolent demonic entity. The Warrens placed it under strict containment in their Occult Museum, warning it should never be moved.
Though the Monroe, Connecticut-based museum is now closed to the public, Annabelle is currently touring the country as part of “Devils on the Run,” a traveling exhibit showcasing artifacts from the Warrens’ archives. In May, Annabelle drew headlines after a chilling appearance at West Virginia’s former Moundsville State Penitentiary. A video of her being moved into the prison racked up over 9 million views on TikTok.
From Horror Film Icon to Internet Meme
Annabelle’s real-life legend was supercharged by Hollywood. Since the release of Annabelle (2014), the spin-off from The Conjuring franchise, the doll has become a horror icon. The film series has grossed more than $800 million worldwide and helped cement her image in pop culture.As the exhibit moves on to San Antonio, Texas, with future stops planned in Illinois, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania, fans continue to debate whether the doll ever truly left the museum—or if the so-called “disappearance” was simply a masterclass in viral marketing.
Whatever the truth, one thing is certain: Annabelle still has the power to terrify millions.
