Matte Rife, you may know him as a stand-up comedian, but now I know him as the guy who did the unthinkable. The comedian recently announced on social media that, along with his friend, YouTube creator Elton Castee, he has “officially purchased” the home and museum of Ed and Lorraine Warren.

This includes the famed paranormal investigators’ “entire haunted collection” and even the infamous Annabelle doll. Yes, you read that right. The Annabelle doll that escaped due to people’s carelessness now has a “legal guardian.”

The announcement comes after Annabelle’s previous guardian, Dan Rivera, died of natural causes last month. Before that, the doll was in the care of Ed and Lorrrain. Ed Warren died at the age of 79 in 2006, and Lorraine passed away at 92 in 2019.

The Purchase of the Occult Museum and Annabelle Doll

On Friday, Aug. 1, the comedian announced this insane purchase. Rife confirmed the news on Instagram too, stating: “I have officially purchased Ed and Lorraine Warren’s home and Occult Museum, including being the legal guardian for at least the next five years of the entire haunted collection, including THE ANNABELLE DOLL, with my good friend @eltoncastee!!”

In a TikTok video, Rife sat down to explain his “super random” purchase of the Monroe, Conn., home and museum, called the Warrens’ Occult Museum, as well as the collection of haunted artefacts that have been fodder for modern horror hits like Annabelle and the Conjuring films.

“This might be the most important and prominent piece of paranormal history in the world. Ed and Lorraine Warren took demonology, ghost hunting and paranormal investigating, and made it mainstream,” Rife said in the TikTok. “I know a lot of you guys don’t know [what] any of this means whatsoever, but if you follow ghost stuff, this is about as big as it gets.”

The house is located in Monroe, Connecticut, and it used to be where the Warrens kept hundreds of haunted items, including the real Annabelle doll. Now, Matt and Elton have taken over the property and will be responsible for taking care of the entire haunted collection for at least five years.

 

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Does He Own the Doll Now?

While Matt Rife doesn’t technically “own” the Annabelle doll (because it’s part of a historical and paranormal collection), he is responsible for its care and safekeeping. Think of it like being a museum curator.

“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 said in his own words.

Annabelle still sits locked inside her famous glass case with a sign that reads:
“Warning: Positively Do Not Open.” So no, Matt is not taking her on tour or letting her out anytime soon (thankfully).

However, they can do something a lot more significant (and spookier) now. Matt and Elton plan to reopen the Warren museum to the public, offering ghost tours and maybe even overnight stays for those brave enough. But first, they have to fix some legal and safety issues before opening the doors.

They say that their goal is to honour the history of the artefacts and let people experience the legends that have fascinated horror fans for decades.

Rife also revealed that he and Castee have been in the Annabelle doll’s presence, sharing a photo of the pair with the horror icon, a real antique Raggedy Ann doll supposedly possessed by an inhuman spirit.