Comedian Matt Rife Becomes Legal Guardian of Infamous Annabelle Doll and Warren Collection

“I must go on record and say we do not legally own the items, but we are the legal guardians and caretakers of the items for at least the next five years,” Rife explained, suggesting a structured agreement that maintains the collection’s integrity while allowing for public access.

This guardianship model reflects common practices in museum and artifact preservation, where custodial rights are granted without transferring permanent ownership. The arrangement likely includes specific responsibilities for preservation, security, and public access protocols.

The Annabelle Doll’s New Chapter

Central to the collection is the Annabelle doll, a vintage Raggedy Ann doll that the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) has classified as “demonically possessed.” The doll has resided at the Warren museum since the 1970s, typically displayed within a specially constructed glass case.

The artifact gained renewed notoriety following the success of The Conjuring films, leading to standalone Annabelle movies that have collectively grossed hundreds of millions worldwide. The doll’s recent history includes appearances at paranormal conventions and a nationwide tour that ended tragically with the death of NESPR investigator Dan Riverain Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in July.