Where Every Trail Leads to the Truth
Located in Monroe, North Carolina, Crossroads Ranch is the home base of forensic criminologist Dr. Laura Pettler, a place where horses, investigation, and innovation intersect.
As the nation’s only True Crime Horse Farm, Crossroads Ranch blends equine science, forensic training, and agritourism into one experiential environment.
It serves as:
It was the official 2025 equestrian training center for Coroner Karla Deese’s Lancaster County Coroner’s Office Mounted Response Unit, the first coroner’s office-based mounted search, rescue, and recovery team in the world.
The headquarters of Laura Pettler & Associates (LPA) and the LPA International Forensics Institute (LPAIFI.com), internationally recognized forensic investigation, training, and equipment company.
The home of True Crime & Equines™, a series of immersive programs including Adult and Kids CSI Horse Camps, Pettler’s Mounted Forensic System training, and live True Crime Speaker events.
A trusted source for DNA-verified Horses, developed with transparency, integrity, and measurable standards. Each animal is trained, health-screened, and DNA-tested to ensure quality, temperament, and soundness for lifelong partnerships.
The creative and educational hub for Pettler’s media work, including Crimeworx Productions, where television, film, crime music, and podcast projects come to life.
Crossroads Ranch isn’t just a working farm it’s a living laboratory for truth-seeking. Here, Dr. Pettler unites forensic science, horsemanship, and storytelling to inspire, educate, and empower the next generation of investigators, responders, and riders.
“My mission is clear. I fight for truth in murder cases because victims deserve justice and their families deserve answers. I fight for horses let down by humans to turn pain into purpose and failures into opportunities.”
More Than a Ranch — It’s a Mission #RiseAndSlay
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True Crime & Equines
Where forensic science meets horsemanship.
Crossroads Ranch is home to the original True Crime & Equines™ experiences, a series of immersive programs blending death investigation, behavioral forensics, and equine partnership. From Adult and Kids CSI Horse Camps to Mounted Search & Rescue training and live forensic events, participants learn how evidence, intuition, and empathy work together in both investigation and horsemanship.
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Available Horses
Partners built with integrity, transparency, and skill.
Every horse and dog at Crossroads Ranch is trained and cared for with measurable standards. Each listing includes full veterinary records, DNA verification, and behavioral evaluations, ensuring the buyer knows exactly who they’re partnering with. Developed in our Forensic Horsemanship program, our horses reflect quiet minds, sound bodies, and steady hearts.
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Education, Training & Outreach
Building stronger investigators, responders, and riders.
Crossroads Ranch serves as a national training and education hub for law enforcement, first responders, and the public. Home to Laura Pettler & Associates (LPA), the ranch offers hands-on learning in The Murder Room Method, Mounted Search, and animal-assisted forensic training, turning theory into practice on every acre.
