Recent weeks have witnessed a wave of panic and rumors as the infamous Annabelle doll went missing during its paranormal tour of Louisiana and New Orleans. Social media went berserk with reports of the doll going missing under strange circumstances, sparking fears that the evil spirit associated with it had been set free.
This mania was fueled by a series of unfortunate incidents simultaneous with Annabelle's presence in the area: an historic Louisiana plantation home burned, and ten hazardous inmates broke out of a New Orleans prison. Residents and online citizens dangerously speculated that Annabelle had something to do with these tragedies.
The fire at the Nottoway Plantation in White Castle, Louisian, sparked most controversies. The 165-year-old antebellum mansion, the largest plantation house in the American South, was engulfed by flames that consumed much of the historic home. In spite of no one getting hurt, the fire stunned the community.
While authorities blamed the blaze on a faulty electrical wire, rumors immediately emerged that the accident was caused by Annabelle's visit, particularly as the doll was touring in a "Devil's On The Run Tour" which had just visited New Orleans.
In the midst of the confusion, the Warrens' Occult Museum in Connecticut, where Annabelle resides in a sealed glass enclosure, was the one that was in the limelight. The doll had been taken on tour but never got lost. Chris McKinnell, the grandson of the Warrens and the current caretaker, put the rumors to rest decisively: "Annabelle is here. She's not going anywhere. She didn't go anywhere. She's where she needs to be." Video by Dan Rivera of NESPR assured the doll's safe placement in the museum, dispelling false claims of its loss.
Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren were consulted and found that the doll wasn't home to a child spirit, but a demonic one that wanted to use it as a portal to the human world. The Warrens, after exorcising it, had Annabelle encased in glass at their Occult Museum, sealed with prayers and forewarning, to prevent further damage.
Even with its containment, Annabelle's sinister history continues to fascinate and frighten.
This mania was fueled by a series of unfortunate incidents simultaneous with Annabelle's presence in the area: an historic Louisiana plantation home burned, and ten hazardous inmates broke out of a New Orleans prison. Residents and online citizens dangerously speculated that Annabelle had something to do with these tragedies.
The fire at the Nottoway Plantation in White Castle, Louisian, sparked most controversies. The 165-year-old antebellum mansion, the largest plantation house in the American South, was engulfed by flames that consumed much of the historic home. In spite of no one getting hurt, the fire stunned the community.
While authorities blamed the blaze on a faulty electrical wire, rumors immediately emerged that the accident was caused by Annabelle's visit, particularly as the doll was touring in a "Devil's On The Run Tour" which had just visited New Orleans.
In the midst of the confusion, the Warrens' Occult Museum in Connecticut, where Annabelle resides in a sealed glass enclosure, was the one that was in the limelight. The doll had been taken on tour but never got lost. Chris McKinnell, the grandson of the Warrens and the current caretaker, put the rumors to rest decisively: "Annabelle is here. She's not going anywhere. She didn't go anywhere. She's where she needs to be." Video by Dan Rivera of NESPR assured the doll's safe placement in the museum, dispelling false claims of its loss.
The Dark History of Annabelle
The Annabelle legend started in 1970 when a Hartford, Connecticut, nursing student was given as a gift a Raggedy Ann doll. The doll became possessed with awful behavior soon afterward: it would move by itself, shift positions, and leave scribbled notes begging for assistance on parchment paper the owners did not have. The worst event was when one of the owners' fiancé woke up to find the doll crawling up on him, trying to strangle him.Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren were consulted and found that the doll wasn't home to a child spirit, but a demonic one that wanted to use it as a portal to the human world. The Warrens, after exorcising it, had Annabelle encased in glass at their Occult Museum, sealed with prayers and forewarning, to prevent further damage.
Even with its containment, Annabelle's sinister history continues to fascinate and frighten.
