Comedian Matt Rife Buys Ed and Lorraine Warren’s Haunted Connecticut Home—Now Lives With the Infamous ‘Annabelle’ Doll
In a twist few saw coming, viral comedian Matt Rife—known for his sharp stand-up routines and Gen Z charm—has made headlines not for a joke or Netflix special, but for buying one of the most haunted homes in America. Rife has officially purchased the infamous Connecticut home and museum once owned by famed paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, making him the new legal guardian of the cursed Annabelle doll.
Yes, that Annabelle. The same haunted doll that inspired The Conjuring and Annabelle movie franchises, and which the Warrens claimed was responsible for multiple terrifying incidents.
Now, she sits in a glass case… in Matt Rife’s basement.
How Did This Happen?
The home, located in Monroe, Connecticut, was not just the Warrens’ residence—it was also home to the Occult Museum, where decades’ worth of paranormal relics, cursed artifacts, and demonic items were housed. After Lorraine Warren’s death in 2019, the museum closed due to zoning issues, and the house was left in legal limbo.
Enter Matt Rife.
In what began as an off-hand comment on a podcast about his fascination with the paranormal, Rife reportedly contacted the estate’s trustees and began private negotiations to buy the property. His purchase was finalized quietly in July 2025—but word leaked when contractors working on the home posted a TikTok video showing a glass case labeled “WARNING: POSITIVELY DO NOT OPEN.”
The Internet knew instantly: Annabelle had a new owner.
Why Would Matt Rife Do This?
According to Rife himself, the decision wasn’t just a publicity stunt. In an Instagram Live, he explained:
“I’ve always been into haunted stuff—ghosts, demons, possessions—I think it’s wild. When I realized the Warren house was actually available, I couldn’t pass it up. I mean, how many people get to say they live with the real-life Annabelle?”
He also joked:
“If I die, at least it’ll be hilarious.”
But those close to the paranormal world aren’t laughing. Many believe Rife may be biting off more than he can chew.
The Curse of Annabelle
The Annabelle doll, a raggedy-looking vintage toy from the 1960s, is said to be inhabited by a malevolent spirit, not the spirit of a child (as was first believed), but something far more dangerous.
Ed and Lorraine Warren took the doll into their possession after a series of violent incidents involving its original owners—nurses who claimed the doll moved on its own, left notes, and even attacked one man with deep claw marks. The Warrens locked her in a blessed glass case, warning no one to ever touch or open it.
Despite being behind a glass enclosure, strange occurrences continued around Annabelle. A priest who mocked her during a visit allegedly crashed his car on the way home. Others reported feeling sick, cold, or watched. Some even claimed she whispers at night.
Now she’s under Matt Rife’s care.
Social Media Reactions: Horror, Humor, and Hysteria
The announcement set off a viral frenzy. Fans flooded Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram with reactions ranging from disbelief to dark humor.
- “Matt Rife living with Annabelle is the crossover I didn’t expect but somehow needed.”
- “Bro really said ‘I wanna go viral in the afterlife too.’”
- “From crowd work to cursed work.”
- “The demon inside Annabelle hearing Matt Rife’s jokes 24/7 is probably begging to be exorcised.”
Even celebrities joined in. Keke Palmer commented:
“He better sage that whole damn house.”
Zach Bagans, host of Ghost Adventures, publicly offered to bless the house—or at least “document whatever insanity goes down.”
A Home Full of Haunted Relics
It’s not just Annabelle that Rife is now responsible for. The Warren’s museum contained hundreds of artifacts, each with its own terrifying backstory. Among them:
- The Conjuring mirror, used for spirit communication
- A satanic altar, allegedly recovered from a cult house
- A “shadow doll” said to enter people’s dreams and stop their hearts
- Items from exorcisms, possessions, and even the Amityville case
Rife says he plans to keep the items secure and undisturbed, but he hasn’t ruled out reopening the museum in a limited capacity—possibly for paranormal researchers or a documentary project.
Friends & Family Are… Concerned
Sources close to Rife say his inner circle was “completely stunned” by the purchase. One unnamed friend said:
“We thought he was joking. Next thing you know, he’s posting pics in the Warren house wearing an EMF detector like it’s a fashion accessory.”
His team has reportedly warned him not to joke about the doll too much, especially after he posted a now-deleted video pretending to knock on her case and saying, “Yo Annabelle, wanna co-host my next special?”
Fans quickly reminded him: even Ed Warren didn’t joke about her.
Does Rife Really Believe?
In interviews, Matt Rife says he’s a skeptical believer. He doesn’t claim to have seen ghosts, but admits strange things have happened since moving in.
“I’ll hear footsteps upstairs when I know no one’s up there. Lights flicker. One night, I swear I heard something laugh.”
He even claims his cat, Voodoo, “won’t go near Annabelle’s room.”
Still, Rife remains upbeat—at least for now.
What’s Next for the Comedian-Turned-Caretaker?
There are rumors swirling that Rife is already in talks with Netflix and Discovery+ for a docu-comedy-horror special titled “Living with Annabelle.” The project would follow him as he adjusts to his new life in the paranormal spotlight.
He’s also reportedly consulted Father James Leary, a Catholic exorcist, to bless the home “just in case.”
Final Thoughts: Risky Business or Brilliant Move?
Whether Matt Rife’s haunted house adventure is a publicity stunt, a genuine fascination, or a bold business move, it’s undeniably captivating. He’s taken ownership of not just a historic home, but a living piece of horror legend.
And as for Annabelle? She hasn’t moved—yet.
But if Matt starts going silent on social media, or his comedy takes a terrifying turn, we may need to ask:
Did Annabelle finally write her own punchline?
For now, the comedian lives where demons once walked, and every night, a doll watches him sleep. Welcome to Matt Rife’s next act… and possibly, his final one.
