Did the real Annabelle escape? Lead investigator speaks out after doll accused of starting fire

Annabelle, the supposedly haunted doll featured in The Conjuring universe, allegedly escaped in May to run rampant across the US. People accused her of starting a fire in Louisiana and breaking 10 prisoners out of a New Orleans jail, among other nefarious deeds.

The rumours seemingly began during the Devils on the Run Tour, an event organised by Ed and Lorraine Warren’s New England Society for Psychic Research, also known as NESPR. During a scheduled stop in New Orleans, people said Annabelle was no longer in the protective case and was creating mayhem in the surrounding area.

Soon enough, people were claiming to have spotted Annabelle running amok in various Southern US states as AI-generated videos showed her doing everything from petty crime to backflips off a wall.

Here’s what we know, what’s been said, and where the hell that creepy doll is.

🚨 The missing Annabelle doll was spotted chasing people in downtown Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/5kuPwBkQrf

— Drop Pop (@DropPopNet) May 25, 2025

Hold on, the Annabelle is actually real?

Though The Conjuring universe is a work of fiction, its terrifying plots are inspired by the real-life work of supernatural investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren.

In real life, Annabelle was purchased by a mum in 1970 and given to her 28-year-old daughter as a present. Donna and her friend, both nursing students, then noticed paranormal activity in their apartment that continued to escalate until Annabelle was given to the experts for safekeeping. They concluded that something “demonic and inhuman” was inhabiting the soft toy.

what the fuck do you mean they lost the annabelle doll??? HELLO????? 😭😭 this is so insane

— kyaaaa! (@blkwitchlet) May 25, 2025

Is Annabelle missing?

@annabelle_tour

#annabelleis not missing. #supernatural

♬ Carry On Wayward Son – Kansas

After seeing the viral story, NESPR lead investigator Dan Rivera posted a TikTok about Annabelle being missing and the crimes she’s been accused of.

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“I’m here at the museum right now, and I just wanna show you guys that Annabelle is in the Warrens’ Occult Museum,” he said in the video, showing off Annabelle in her protective case. “Let’s go inside and let’s check.”

The museum added on Facebook: “It’s a rumour… Annabelle has NOT been stolen. The doll is safely in place at the Warren Occult Museum.”

Tony Spera, the son-in-law of Ed and Lorrain Warren, had to contend with similar rumours five years ago when people also claimed that Annabelle had gone missing. Though he, too, showed off the doll in her case, maybe, just maybe, it’s what Annabelle wants us to think. She’s now allegedly safe at home and expected in Rock Island, Illinois, for a show next week.

I will leave you with this one troubling thought: Just because Annabelle is NOW in her cage, doesn’t mean she always was. In the meantime, Annabelle, I’m hosting some drinks this weekend and would love for you to attend. Hit me up, girl.

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Featured image credit: Dan Rivera