Annabelle, the haunted doll, has fascinated fans of the paranormal and horror for decades. Since the release of “The Conjuring”, rumors about this doll are rampant. With an extensive history full of mysterious occurrences, Annabelle has risen to be a symbol of the supernatural in real life and pop culture. So what about this seemingly innocent Raggedy Ann doll that is so haunting?
Origins of Annabelle
When Donna’s mother gifted her a secondhand doll for her birthday in 1980, she had no idea the horrors to come. What started as subtle movements easily explained quickly became impossible to explain. The doll would move to different rooms on its own. Strange messages written on parchment paper began appearing.
One day, Donna came home from work to find blood on Annabelle’s hands. Still in her usual spot on the bed, the blood seemed to be coming from herself.
Following the blood sighting, Donna and her roommate, Angie, reached out to a medium. The medium claimed a young girl named Annabelle Higgens, around the age of seven, attached her spirit to the doll. Ultimately, the roommates decided Annabelle could stay.
Things escalated when Annabelle attacked Donna’s friend, Lou. Lou believed Annabelle tried to strangle him, leaving claw marks on his face as well.
The Warrens Step In
Donna decided it was time to contact the experts: Ed and Lorraine Warren. The Warrens documented the doll was possessed by an inhuman spirit, contradicting the previous medium. They believed that the doll was a conduit for a demon.
Annabelle’s goal was to possess Donna’s soul, triggering a priest call with the Warrens to Donna and Angie’s apartment. Once the apartment was exorcised, the Warrens took Annabelle with them in hopes that the doll’s new home would be safer for everyone involved: Warrens’ Occult Museum.
Today, you can find Annabelle confined in a case at the Warren’s Occult Museum in Monroe, Connecticut, though it has closed. The Warrens dressed the case with a cross and warning sign to not touch the doll or her influence could possibly be passed on to another unlucky soul.
At the museum, there have been reportings of accidents following the disrespect of Annabelle during visits by guests. Navigating around the locked case, Annabelle managed to surprise the Warrens around their home, leading to another exorcism in hopes of banishing the demon. It was unsuccessful however, as the priest totaled his car on the way to the appointment due to faulty brakes.
Skeptics and Criticisms
As with most supernatural occurrences, the tale of Annabelle is one heavily scrutinized. Some claim what appears to be an ordinary object could not possibly be possessed by a demon. Others object that many myths in the Warren Occult Museum were self reported by the Warrens for monetary exploitation.
Conclusion
Regardless, the story of Annabelle is one that questions fact and fiction in the supernatural world. Do you dismiss this case as fabrication or does this Raggedy Ann doll really house the sinister force of a demon?
Sources:
https://www.historyvshollywood.com/reelfaces/annabelle/
https://www.historydefined.net/annabelle-doll/
https://www.hauntedrooms.co.uk/the-real-annabelle-doll-story-conjuring