You’ve probably seen the TikToks. Or maybe it was a frantic tweet from 2025 claiming the world’s most famous Raggedy Ann had vanished from her case. People were genuinely spiraling, thinking she was wandering the streets of Chicago or setting fire to plantations in Louisiana. It’s wild how a stuffed doll with red yarn hair can still cause a collective panic in 2026.
Honestly, the "missing" rumors are almost as famous as the doll itself. But if you’re looking for a straight answer on where did they move Annabelle, the truth is actually much more "Hollywood business deal" than "supernatural escape."
The Great Relocation of 2025
For decades, Annabelle sat behind a glass case in the basement of Ed and Lorraine Warren’s home in Monroe, Connecticut. That was the famous Occult Museum. But here’s the thing: that museum has been officially closed for years due to zoning violations. You can't exactly run a world-famous tourist attraction in a quiet residential neighborhood without the neighbors (and the town council) getting a little bit annoyed about the traffic.
So, where is she now?
In August 2025, the game changed. Comedian Matt Rife—yeah, the guy from the Netflix specials—and YouTuber Elton Castee officially stepped in. They didn't just visit; they bought the Warrens' home and the museum. This wasn't just a house flip. They became the legal guardians of the entire collection, which includes around 750 "haunted" artifacts.
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But wait. Tony Spera, the Warrens' son-in-law who has been the gatekeeper for years, still owns the items. He's essentially leasing them to Rife and Castee for a five-year guardianship.
Why the "Missing" Rumors Won't Die
The reason everyone keeps asking where did they move Annabelle is because she does actually move. Just not on her own.
To fund a new, legally compliant home for the museum, the New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) started the "Devils on the Run" tour in 2025. They’ve been parading the doll around the country like a rock star. She’s been to:
- Moundsville, West Virginia (at the old penitentiary)
- San Antonio, Texas
- Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
- Lexington, Kentucky
Every time the doll leaves her permanent storage to go on one of these tours, the internet loses its mind. In May 2025, a viral marketing campaign basically implied she had disappeared, which led to people connecting her to a fire at the Nottoway Resort in Louisiana. To be clear: the doll didn't start the fire. She was just nearby for an event.
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The New Home for the Occult Museum
So, if she isn't in a basement and she isn't "missing," where is she staying between tour dates?
As of early 2026, the plan is to reopen the museum at a new, purpose-built location that actually follows fire codes and parking laws. Matt Rife has been vocal about turning the Warrens' legacy into the "greatest paranormal investigation location in the country." This means:
- Overnight Stays: They are planning to let people stay in the house (which is separate from the artifacts).
- Public Tours: A new facility that can handle the crowds.
- Strict Security: The doll is still kept in a case with "Do Not Open" signs, though it’s a more modern setup than the old wooden box.
It’s a bit of a weird transition. You’ve got the old-school paranormal fans who think moving the doll is a recipe for disaster, and then you’ve got the new-age "paranormal investigators" who see it as a massive entertainment opportunity.
What Most People Get Wrong
Most people still think Annabelle looks like the porcelain nightmare from the movies. She doesn't. She’s a large Raggedy Ann doll with a round face and a somewhat blank expression. It’s that simplicity that makes the stories creepier for some people.
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Skeptics, like religious studies professor Joseph Laycock, have pointed out that the museum is mostly full of "off-the-shelf" toys. But for the believers, the location doesn't matter as much as the attachment. The Warrens always warned that the demon isn't in the doll; it uses the doll as a conduit.
When you ask where did they move Annabelle, you’re really asking about the state of her "containment." Tony Spera still insists that the doll is dangerous. During the 2025 tour, an investigator named Dan Rivera, who was handling the doll's transport, unexpectedly passed away. While the coroner confirmed the doll wasn't even in the room when it happened, it added another layer of "cursed" lore to the relocation story.
Practical Insights for Fans
If you're planning on trying to see her in 2026, here’s the deal:
- Don't go to the Monroe house. It's private property and monitored.
- Check the NESPR website. That's where they announce the actual "Devils on the Run" tour dates.
- Prepare for a wait. These events sell out in minutes because of the hype generated by Rife and Castee.
Basically, Annabelle is currently a "digital nomad." She's moving between high-security storage and various haunted venues across the US while her new permanent home is being prepared.
If you want to keep tabs on her actual physical location, follow the official New England Society for Psychic Research (NESPR) updates. They are the only ones who actually have the keys to the case. Ignore the TikTok "sightings" in random malls—unless there's a heavy security detail and a priest nearby, it’s probably just a replica.
The move from a dusty basement to a high-profile tour might feel like a sell-out to some, but it’s the only way the collection was going to survive legal scrutiny. Just remember: if you do go see her, maybe don't challenge the doll. The last guy who allegedly did that didn't have a very good bike ride home.