Comedian Matt Rife has taken a surprising step into the paranormal world. On August 1, 2025, he announced that he and YouTuber Elton Castee have purchased the former home and Occult Museum of real-life ghost hunters Ed and Lorraine Warren.
The house, located in Monroe, Connecticut, is known for holding over 750 haunted objects, including the Annabelle doll, which many believe is possessed by a demonic spirit.
Rife made the announcement on TikTok and Instagram, calling the museum “the most important and prominent piece of paranormal history in the world.” The 2,544-square-foot farmhouse contains eerie items collected by the Warrens during decades of paranormal investigations.
While the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) still owns the collection, Rife and Castee are now the official caretakers for the next five years. One of the most famous items is Annabelle, a Raggedy Ann doll kept in a glass case with a warning: “Do Not Open.” The doll inspired the Annabelle movies and appears in The Conjuring films.
Rife, a self-proclaimed paranormal enthusiast, plans to reopen the museum, which has been closed since 2019 due to local zoning rules. He and Castee hope to begin tours and overnight stays by summer 2025.
The news comes shortly after the death of Dan Rivera, a paranormal investigator who handled Annabelle during a recent tour. Though his death was ruled natural, it has renewed fears about the doll’s supposed curse. Rife confirmed that Annabelle will complete her tour before returning to the museum.
Public reaction is mixed. Some fans are excited and called it “so f—ing cool,” while others warned Rife not to mess with haunted objects. One person commented, “RIP buddy,” and another said, “Don’t touch anything!”
Despite the concerns, Rife is going ahead with his plans. The home, estimated to be worth between $551,000 and $683,000, is expected to become a popular destination for paranormal tourism, helping preserve the Warrens’ legacy for future generations.
