No, comedian Matt Rife did not buy The Conjuring House… yet

BURRILLVILLE – The 300-year-old farmhouse at 1677 Round Top Road remains quiet, with no activity since a business there was shut down by Burrillville police in December, despite what you may have read.

Comedian Matt Rife did, however, buy a museum in Connecticut full of allegedly haunted artifacts once owned by the couple who investigated paranormal happenings on the property in the 1970s.

Rife, who bought a home in neighboring North Smithfield last year, announced on Friday, August 1 that he and popular YouTuber Elton Castee have purchased Ed and Lorraine Warren’s former home and Occult Museum. The house, located Monroe, Conn., holds the late couple’s “haunted collection,” including the infamous doll that inspired the 2014 horror flick Annabelle, the second film in Warner Bros. Picture’s “Conjuring Universe” series.

Rife’s announcement followed previous reports that he and Castee were interested in buying the house on Round Top Road – as noted on social media last year by Castee. That house inspired the original film for which the franchise was named: The Conjuring.

“If you know me, you know I’m obsessed with the paranormal and all things haunted,” Rife noted in his announcement this week. “You also may know The Conjuring films are my favorite scary movies of all time. So I’m incredibly honored to have taken over one of the most prominent properties in paranormal history. Ed and Lorain Warren arguably put demonology and paranormal into the mainstream and are the very heart of some of the most famous haunted stories of all time, The Conjuring House, Amityville Horror, et(c)…”

Rife said he plans to open the Connecticut house for overnight stays and museum tours.

Multiple sources misinterpreted the news, announcing that the pair had purchased The Conjuring House.

But no deeds have been filed regarding transfer of the Burrillville property, owned by Bale Fire LLC, a business started by Jacqueline Nuñez when she bought the lot in 2022. Nuñez purchased the property for around $1.5 million, taking over and expanding a ghost tourism business started by the previous owners.

The business, which offered tours and overnight stays – much like Rife’s vision for his new haunted Connecticut museum – was closed last year amid a slew of legal troubles for Nuñez. The Burrillville Town Council denied a request to renew an entertainment license for the business in November following a bizarre submission by the owner that included threats against local officials and failed to follow the town’s process. She reportedly continued operating the business until Burrillville police shut it down in December.

Neighbors told NRI NOW this week that the house has remained quiet since and appears to be falling into disrepair. And Burrillville Police Chief Col. Stephen Lynch confirmed there has been no police activity at the property – or contact with Nuñez – since their last visit in December.

Castee clarified this week that he and Rife are still interested in purchasing 1677 Round Top Road, and even sent a certified offer letter to Nuñez last month.

“It kind of breaks our heart to see it like this in the current state, and we just would really love to make this a place where people can experience it from all over the world,” Castee said.

Rife reportedly said it’s a dream of his to own the property with his friend.

As for Nuñez, her charges in Burrillville of DUI and eluding law enforcement from last October remain open, according to the state’s criminal database. A warrant for her arrest was issued after she failed to appear for a court date in January.