The factual, firsthand accounts of the Annabelle doll's possession are limited to the narrative provided by paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The core of the story comes from their case files and public accounts. There are no independent, verified news reports or police records that corroborate the specific paranormal events. The doll's owners, Donna and her roommate Angie, and their friend Lou, did not have separate public-facing accounts that are widely available, which is a point of scrutiny for skeptics.
Here are the key eye-witness accounts as documented by the Warrens:
Donna and Angie
The Doll's Movement: Donna, a student nurse, and her roommate Angie claimed that the Raggedy Ann doll, a birthday gift from Donna's mother, began moving on its own. Initially, the movements were subtle, such as finding the doll in a different position or room from where they had left it. These movements escalated over time.
The Notes: They also reported finding handwritten notes on parchment paper with messages like "Help Us" or "Help Lou." The notes were particularly unnerving as neither of the roommates had parchment paper in their apartment.
The Blood: The final event that led them to seek help was when Donna returned home to find the doll sitting on her bed with what appeared to be blood on its hands.
Lou
The Scratches: Lou, a friend of Donna and Angie, was skeptical of the doll from the beginning and expressed his dislike for it.
He reportedly had a nightmare where the doll was choking him. He woke up with seven distinct, bloody claw marks on his chest. The scratches were said to have healed within two days without any visible scarring. This was the most direct physical attack attributed to the doll.
Ed and Lorraine Warren
After being called in by a priest, the Warrens took possession of the doll.
Car Troubles: While transporting the doll, Ed Warren claimed the car's brakes failed multiple times, and he had to use holy water to quell the doll's influence.
Levitation: They claimed that after bringing the doll to their home, it would levitate and move around in Ed's study.
The Priest: A visiting priest, who was skeptical of the doll's powers, reportedly had a near-fatal car accident on his way home after mocking the doll.
It's important to understand that these accounts are presented from the perspective of the Warrens and are the foundation of the Annabelle legend. There are no independent, third-party verifications of these specific events, and the story is often cited as a prime example of the relationship between pop culture and paranormal folklore.
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