The infamous “Annabelle” doll, known for its chilling role in The Conjuring movie series, was at the center of wild conspiracy theories after its recent visit to New Orleans. Some believed the doll was responsible for a series of alarming events, including a prison breakout and a devastating fire nearby. However, the doll’s owner has confirmed that it is safely back home and “was never out of control.”
Tour in New Orleans Sparks Speculation and Fear
The doll made a brief stop at Ghost City Tours’ office in New Orleans in mid-May, coinciding with a daring prison escape and a large fire at the historic Nottoway Plantation House. This coincidence fueled rumors among conspiracy theorists blaming Annabelle for the chaos.
Ghost City Tours founder Tim Nealon expressed surprise at how seriously some took these claims. “I did not think people were taking it seriously, (because) I kept seeing jokes about it on Instagram and TikTok,” he told USA Today. Yet, he acknowledged that many people are convinced the tour company was involved in the troubling incidents.
Owner Reassures Public: Annabelle Was Never Out of Control
Tony Spera, owner of the Warren Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut, where Annabelle is kept, confirmed that the doll was closely guarded throughout the tour. “The doll was never out of our control. We take extreme precautions when handling or transporting the doll,” he told The Post.
Among the precautions was having a Catholic priest accompany the doll throughout the trip. The doll’s wooden case was treated with blessed holy water and oil, and crosses were carved into each side of the case for added protection.
The Doll’s Paranormal Legacy
Annabelle was famously owned by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren before their deaths. The Warren Occult Museum, located in their former home, houses the doll along with other haunted artifacts. Although the museum is not open to the public, Spera, the Warrens’ son-in-law and head of the New England Society for Psychic Research, continues their work.
The doll’s eerie reputation inspired the movies The Conjuring and the Annabelle spinoffs, where it appears as a much more menacing figure. In reality, the original Annabelle is a Raggedy Ann doll that was allegedly manipulated by a demon, according to the Warrens.
Public Reaction and Social Media Buzz
Despite the reassurances, social media was filled with messages warning Ghost City Tours against moving the doll. Comments on Facebook questioned why the doll was moved at all, suggesting some believed it should have been left where it was to avoid bad luck.