Annabelle Isn’t Missing—She’s Just Not in Chicago (Yet)

Over Memorial Day weekend in 2025, social media platforms buzzed with alarming claims: the notorious haunted doll, Annabelle, had gone missing and was possibly en route to Chicago. TikTok videos amassed millions of views, with users speculating about the doll’s whereabouts and sharing theories linking her to various unexplained events.

The frenzy intensified when some users suggested that Annabelle had disappeared during a paranormal tour stop in San Antonio, Texas, and was last seen heading toward the Windy City.

Setting the Record Straight

Amidst the growing speculation, the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR), founded by the renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, addressed the rumors directly.

Dan Rivera, a senior investigator with NESPR, posted a TikTok video standing inside the Warren’s Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut. In the video, he showcased Annabelle securely housed in her glass case, stating, “Annabelle’s not missing, she’s not in Chicago, alright? She never was in Chicago, and she’s not missing because she’s right behind me.”

The Origins of the Rumor

The confusion appears to have stemmed from Annabelle’s participation in the “Devils on the Run Tour,” a traveling exhibit featuring various haunted artifacts. During a stop in San Antonio, some attendees noted Annabelle’s absence, leading to speculation that she had vanished. Further fueling the fire, a TikTok video by creator @Christopherkiely, viewed over 8.7 million times, suggested the doll was missing and even linked her to a fire in Louisiana.

However, Ryan Buell, a paranormal investigator documenting the tour, clarified that Annabelle had safely continued her journey and was never scheduled to go to Chicago at that time.

Annabelle’s Upcoming Visit to Illinois

While Annabelle is currently secured at the Warren’s Occult Museum, she is slated to make an appearance in Illinois later this year. According to NESPR, the doll is expected to be featured at the Rock Island Roadhouse Esoteric Expo in Rock Island, Illinois, on October 4. General admission to the event is $5, offering fans a chance to see the infamous doll up close, safely behind glass, of course.

A History of Haunting

Annabelle’s legend dates back to 1970 when a mother purchased a Raggedy Ann doll from a hobby store for her daughter. Soon after, the family reported strange occurrences, including the doll moving on its own and leaving handwritten notes. The Warrens investigated and concluded that the doll was possessed by a demonic entity, leading them to secure it in their Occult Museum.

The doll’s eerie reputation inspired the “Annabelle” series within “The Conjuring” film universe, further cementing her status as a pop culture icon of the paranormal.

Despite the recent wave of rumors and online hysteria, Annabelle remains safely contained in her glass case at the Warren’s Occult Museum. While she is scheduled to visit Illinois this fall, there’s no cause for alarm. As always, the line between fact and folklore continues to blur when it comes to tales of the supernatural.

You might also want to read: Keep an Eye Open! These Are the Most Haunted Dolls Ever