In the Media

Television

CourtTV Laura has worked in True Crime television since 2012. Laura has appeared in numerous true crime shows on networks, such as Oxygen, ID, Spike, Starz, and nationally syndicated networks. Currently, Laura is a recurrent Special Guest on CourtTV and CourtTVUK.

Along side some of the most brilliant legal minds and talented legal anchors in the country, Laura has given analysis in some of the highest profile cases in America:

  • Amber Heard v. Johnny Depp

  • Texas v. Robert Durst

  • The Alec Baldwin Wrongful Death Suit

  • The Murder of Gabby Petito

  • Idaho v. Brian Kohlberger

  • Mass v. Karen Read

…and many more…

Emmy-Winning CSI Atlanta: Laura was the Forensic Criminologist on Emmy-Winning CSI Atlanta seasons 1 and 2. CSI Atlanta was co-hosted by Multi-Emmy-Winning Anchor Karyn Greer and highly decorated, renowned Emmy-Winning CSI and Host of Zone 7 Podcast Sheryl “Mac” McCollum.The show focused on Atlanta-based unsolved homicides and worked with law enforcement, the media, families, friends, and the community to solve cases towards justice for victims and answers for families. Two cases were solved: Honey Malone in Season 1 and Nacole Smith in Season 2.

In 2020, CSI Atlanta won an Emmy for Best New Special. Sheryl McCollum is a very kind and generous person and chose to share the show’s win with the entire cast and crew. Pictured to the left, Dr. Laura Pettler holding CSI Atlanta’s 2020 Emmy Award. In 2021, CSI Atlanta was nominated for a second Emmy, but did not win that year.

CSI Atlanta ended in season 2 when anchor Karyn Greer accepted a prestigious position with another network. Karyn and Mac continue to work in television today.

Emmy-Winning The Dr. Oz Show

In Season 8, Dr. Oz and his team decided they wanted to add a “True Crime Tuesday” piece to their show. They hired Emmy-Nominated Crime Correspondent Melissa Jesperson Moore to help get it started. The segments were so successful, OzTeam decided to expand the True Crime Cast Team asking Melissa for suggestions. Melissa suggested trying Dr. Laura and it was a match! Laura started working with Dr. Oz, Melissa, and OzTeam in the end of Season 8. Dr. Laura was invited to join the Season 9 True Crime Team and contributed to the True Crime piece of the Season 9 Emmy-Package, which The Dr. Oz Show won an Emmy for Season 9. Dr. Oz, Melissa, Dr. Pettler, and several additional incredible True Crime related individuals delivered outstanding content in seasons 10 and 11. With covid striking during Season 11, Dr. Pettler did not appeared in the last season, Season 12.

Click Here for TheOzBlog, Dr. Oz’s True Crime Blog with Season 10 co-Authors Dr. Laura Pettler & Melissa Moore

Dr. Oz, Laura, and Melissa Clips:

Season 8 May Sweeps: Clip 1 Trenton Mallory Murder

Season 8 May Sweeps: Clip 2 Trenton Mallory Murder

Season 9: Clip 3 The Cold Medicine Murder of Lauren Phelps

Season 9: Clip 1 The Cold Medicine Murder of Lauren Phelps

Season 9: Clip 2 The Cold Medicine Murder of Lauren Phelps

Season 9 February Sweeps: Clip 1 How a Coroner Cracks a Case

Season 9 February Sweeps: Clip 2 The Accidental Cardiac-Related Death of Tanner Barton Click here to read the statement of falsely accused veterinarian Dr. Todd Cooney

Season 9: Tupac & Biggie Crime Scene Reconstruction

Season 10: Clip 1 The Eye Drop Murder of Steven Clayton

Season 10: Clip 2 The Eye Drop Murder of Steven Clayton

Season 10 November Sweeps: Clip 1 Allergy Medicine Murder of Rebecca Apodaca

Season 10 November Sweeps: Clip 2 Allergy Medicine Murder of Rebecca Apodaca

Season 10 November Sweeps: Clip 3 The Allergy Medicine Murder of Rebecca Apodaca

Season 10 November Sweeps: Clip 4 The Allergy Medicine Murder of Rebecca Apodaca

Season 11: Clip 1 Michael Peterson: The Staircase Theories

Film

Dr. Pettler and LPA partnered with Crime Sonics and Dan Brown Jr to help find answers for Brianna’s friends and family and in attempt to help bring justice to Brianna for her murder. Dr. Pettler is honored to be appear in this incredible film and to contribute vocal performance in the soundtrack of the film. Girl Forgotten is expected to be finished by the end of 2023.

True Crime Documentary Film - Girl Forgotten: What Happened to Brianna Wells?

On December 29th, 2014 the body of 17-year-old Brianna Wells was found laying like trash in a South Phoenix Alley. It's been 8 years and her case seems cold... Why? This documentary film (rooted in FACTS, NOT THEORIES), by 5x Emmy Award Winner and 10x Emmy Award Nominee Dan Brown Jr, examines the state of Brianna Wells' case and Phoenix Police Dept., the Mayor's Office, the Senators connection to Brianna, implicit bias, poor media coverage, the paranormal, her adopted family, and REVEALS MANY NEW shocking details, NEW EVIDENCE, and Never-Before-Seen footage of Brianna uncovered by our team. WE HAVE UNCOVERED MANY OF THE TRAGIC REASONS/DETAILS WHY SOME CLOSE TO BRIANNA STAY SILENT & DON'T WANT THIS FILM RELEASED... YOU CAN HELP & WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Did you know Brianna Wells? Did you go to her church or school? Has Brianna visited you in visions or dreams? Were you also contacted by someone close to her and lied to about our nature of our film? Are you scared to talk? We will keep your identify safe, just like the others in our film. Our film is not a "hit-piece" and only presents THE FACTS about Brianna's TRAGIC life. Brianna Wells deserves her justice and you can help! Do the right thing like the other brave heroes in our film!

Contact CrimeSonics Here:

Music

Laura has been singing since she could speak. She began piano lessons at age six and learned to play several instruments through her elementary and high school years. Laura participated in community theatre when she was 12 landing her first speaking and singing part in Annie Get Your Gun. Laura was cast in numerous school and church theatre and music productions throughout her youth, which carried over into adulthood when she formed her first band Cherry Rain. Cherry Rain would go on to be incredibly successful with Laura’s powerful vocals and incredible musicians. In 2006, Laura’s song ‘TRUCKS R4 GIRLS’ climbed the Indie charts to number #17 catching the attention of Nashville-based Record Label Lamon Records. Laura and Lamon dropped her first original album Trucks R4 Girls in 2007 and the band headed out on tour with Lonnie Bulger playing drums, Eric Morris on keys and vocals, Micah Eubanks on bass and vocals, numerous lead guitar players, and Monty Rogers on rhythm guitar and managing the tour. After more than 50 tour dates, Laura retired from professional music. However, in 2017, Laura Pettler and Alexis Pettler wrote ‘SHOTGUN SLAYER’ the title track of Laura’s WebTV show ‘NOTORIOUS: TRUE CRIME STORIES WITH LAURA PETTLER.’

 

Books

FIVE STARS BEST-SELLER: CRIME SCENE STAGING DYNAMICS IN HOMICIDE CASES IS THE FIRST BOOK IN THE WORLD TO EXPOSE CRIME SCENE STAGING IN DEPTH AND ITS LINK TO INTIMATE PARTNER HOMICIDE AND THE AMERICAN COLD CASE EPIDEMIC.

Download the book's media kit

Click HERE to read renowned forensic psychologist, Dr. Katherine Ramsland's, author of 1000 articles and 67 books, review of Crime Scene Staging Dynamics in Homicide Cases

Crime Scene Staging Dynamics in Homicide Cases by Laura Pettler is the first book in the world dedicated to exploring crime scene staging phenomena, its relationship to intimate partner homicide, and the American Cold Case Epidemic. Laura’s new method for investigating staged homicides has shown promise for giving investigators new tools that can help strengthen the relationship between the physical, behavioral, and circumstantial evidence in these cases. 

Empowering the Independent Senior: A Caregiver's Guide to Safety, Health, and Fulfillment

Aging with independence is possible - with the right support, strategies, and environment. In this deeply personal and practical guide, forensic criminologist and caregiver Dr. Laura Pettler shares the journey of caring for her Uncle Paul, who at nearly 90 years old continues to live a fulfilling, independent life. Drawing from her caregiving experience, research, and day-to-day problem solving, Pettler offers a roadmap for families, caregivers, and older adults who want to thrive during the later years of life.

 

Podcasts

  • Saddled in Secrets: Where Horses and Homicide Collide…coming soon…Saddle up for a thrilling ride into the shadowy world of equestrian mysteries with Saddled in Secrets: Where Horses and Homicide Collide! Hosted by Dr. Laura Pettler, a renowned forensic expert and passionate equestrian, this gripping podcast gallops through the untold stories of crime and intrigue in the horse world. From high-stakes horse racing scandals to chilling murders on sprawling ranches, Dr. Pettler unravels real-life cases where passion for horses intertwines with dark secrets. With her sharp investigative insight and deep knowledge of the equestrian lifestyle, she guides listeners through tales of greed, betrayal, and justice, set against the backdrop of thundering hooves and rustic stables. Perfect for true crime enthusiasts and horse lovers alike, this podcast will keep you on the edge of your saddle!

  • The Murder Room Podcast…The Murder Room was a true-crime podcast created and hosted by Dr. Laura Pettler and produced in collaboration with Straw Hut Media and Phoenix Media Group, LLC.

    Premise & Format:

    • Victim-centered investigative methodology: The podcast is based on Dr. Pettler's eponymous investigation method—a rigorous, scientific, multidisciplinary framework for analyzing complex death cases

    • Anthology-style storytelling: the filming of Season 1, titled Black Widow, followed the investigation into alleged serial killer Betty Neumar. It included the original investigators from 2007, reliving the 2021 investigation, and followed along as Dr. Pettler’s team—dubbed the “Elite Roundtable of Experts”—debated, examined, and unpacked the case in real time

    • Unique creative roles: Dr. Pettler wasn't only the host and executive producer—she also composed and performed the podcast’s soundtrack, including original tracks like “ANYMORE,” which she previewed live at CrimeCon 2021

    TMR podcast was slated to be produced by Straw Hut Media. Scheduled to drop 2023, Season 1: Black Widow was tabled indefinitely due to the development of a new suspect in the murder of Harold Gentry.

  • Life After Happy Face…True crime podcasts cover the intimate, grisly details of murders. Every minute a piece of evidence is unearthed; every relationship’s layers are shed. But what happens to those who remain? Daughter of the infamous 'Happy Face' serial killer, Melissa Moore, and leading female Forensic Criminologist, Dr. Laura Pettler, unearth chilling details from homicide case files in this weekly true-crime series which tells the actual stories of people who shared their lives with a killer or their victims. Subscribe to @LifeAfterHappyFacePod now where ever you get your favorite podcasts.

    Backstory: Melissa’s 2019 podcast Happy Face about her story as the daughter of serial killer Keith Jesperson hit #1 on iHeart Radio with 14 million download in season 1 and 20 million downloads in season 2. July 9, 2021 Melissa and Laura dropped new podcast ‘LIFE AFTER HAPPY FACE’. The new podcast features Melissa’s work as a victim advocate for people who have suffered unimaginable loss and trauma from serial killers in Life After Happy Face while Dr. Laura breaks down the crime scenes, victimology, autopsy findings, physical evidence, and all the behavioral and sociological evidence case by case.

Incomplete List of Appearances

  • *Dr. Pettler’s year-long hiatus from public appearances ended June 5, 2024.

    • 5 June 2024, #CourtTV, MA v. #KarenRead #ClosingArguments with @VinniePolitan

    • 7 June 2024, #CourtTV, GA v. #MilesBryant #OpeningStatements with @JulieGrant

    *Dr. Pettler went on public appearances hiatus on May 1, 2023.

    • Special Appearance: May 4-7, 2023, 24th Annual Primary Care & Cardiovascular Symposium 2023 World Golf Village Renaissance Resort, St. Augustine, FL: Forensics from a World Authority: Criminals Can’t Hide Long

    • Special Appearance: October 5-6, 2023, Conferencia Inaugural Speaker, XIV Congreso Internationcional de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses, Panama City, Republic of Panama

    • 27 April 2023, #CourtTV, Idaho v. Lori Vallow Daybell #ClosingArguments with Vinnie Politan

    • 17 April 2023, #CourtTV Idaho v. Lori Vallow Daybell with Judge Ashley Wilcott

    • 13 April 2023, #CourtTV, Idaho v. Lori Vallow Daybell with Judge Ashley Wilcott

    • 10 March 2023, #CourtTV, Florida v. #MichaelKeetley on with @MichaelAyala

    • 8 March 2023, #CourtTV, Florida v. #MichaelKeetley on with @MichaelAyala

    • 2 March 2023, #CourtTV, South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial on with @MichaelAyala

    • 28 February 2023, Fox Nation, Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

    • 27 February 2023, 8pm EST, #CourtTV South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial on #ClosingArguments with @VinniePolitan

    • 24 February 2023, 11am-2pm EST, #CourtTV South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial

    • 23 February 2023, 9am-11am EST, #CourtTV South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial

    • 22 February 2023, YouTube LIVE, SURVIVING THE SURVIVOR on the #AlexMurdaughTrial

    • 20 February 2023, Mexico City, Mexico: Dr. Pettler’s Kaleidoscope Reconstruction System Training

    • 17 February 2023, 11am-2pm EST, #CourtTV South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial

    • 16 February 2023, #CourtTV with anchor Michael Ayala on South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial

    • 16 February 2023, 9-10am EST, #CourtTV with anchor Julie Grant on South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial

    • 14 February 2023, 3-4pm EST, #CourtTV, with anchor Judge Ashley Willcott about South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial

    • 13 February 2023, 3-4pm EST, #CourtTV, with anchor Judge Ashley Willcott about South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial

    • 8 February 2023, 9am-10pm EST, #CourtTV, with Julie Grant about South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial

    • 7 February 2023, 8pm-9pm EST, #CourtTV, #ClosingArguments with Vinnie Politan about South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial

    • 7 February 2023, 11am-2pm EST, #CourtTV, with Ted Rowlands South Carolina v. #AlexMurdaughTrial

    • 2 February 2023, #CourtTV, on Ashley Willcott and #JASH

    • 11 January 2023, Panama City, Panama: Central American Division of the IAI, Dr. Pettler’s Kaleidoscope Reconstruction System

    • 23 January 2023, #CourtTV, on Ashley Willcott and #JASH

    • 10 January 2023, #CourtTV, on Michael Ayala discussing the #IdahoMurders

    • 6 January 2023, #CourtTV, on Michael Ayala discussing the #IdahoMurders

    • 11 December 2022, #CourtTV, on Michael Ayala discussing the #IdahoMurders and on Vinnie Politan discussion the #IdahoMurders

    • 9 December 2022, #CourtTV, on SC v. Murdaugh Bloodstain Evidence

    • 8 December 2022, Stanly County High School, Crime Scene and Evidence

    • 7 December 2022, SPCC Law Enforcement Management Program, Statement Analysis

    • 18 November 2022, #CourtTV, on #IdahoMurders

    • 16 November 2022, NC Internal Affairs Association, Statement Analysis

    • 31 October 2022, #CourtTV, on #Delphi Arrest

    • 29 October 2022, #CourtTV, on #EthanCrumbley School Shooting and Iowa Serial Killer?

    • 2023 to present Laura began to take care of her elderly uncle in Los Angeles, California. While she appears on TV, podcast, film, her public appearances are more infrequent due to her tremendous travel schedule

  • 28 October 2022, #CourtTV, on #Delphi Arrest