The Lancaster County, South Carolina Coroner’s Office Mounted Response Unit is the first mounted response unit of its kind based exclusively out of a coroner’s office in South Carolina and in the United States. The LCCO MRU is the first mounted unit specifically dedicated to medicolegal death investigation. The LCCO MRU deploys at the direction of Coroner Deese as a multi-function unit for death investigation related evidence location, identification, and recovery using horses.

The LCCO MRU is made up of both mounted and ground-based sworn and civilian volunteers with decades of experience in death investigation. The LCCO MRU is under the command of lifelong horsewoman and renowned homicide expert, forensic criminologist Deputy Coroner Commander Dr. Laura Pettler. “For me, the MRU is the culmination of both my passions rolled into one: horses and helping people, and as its Commander, it is my duty and one of the greatest honors of my life to serve the People of Lancaster County and South Carolina with Coroner Deese and fellow MRU volunteers.” Pettler said. Pettler is the CEO of Laura Pettler & Associates Death Investigations (LPA), one of the leading death investigations firms in the world. Pettler is the author of Crime Scene Staging Dynamics in Homicide Cases, and is the inventor of world-renowned Kaleidoscope Shooting and Bloodstain Incident Crime Scene Reconstruction System and The Murder Room Death Investigation Method. Second in command is renowned Georgia-based crime scene investigator, Law Enforcement Hall of Fame member, and Emmy winner, Sheryl “Mac” McCollum, founder of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute and its Wildlife CSI Academy, author of Cold Case: Pathways to Justice, who brings incredible expertise and who will serve as the MRU Deputy Coroner Assistant Commander focused on ground command. “It was an honor to serve as Director for the Crisis Response Team for the Atlanta Olympic Games Bombing, the 9-11 Crisis Response Team at the Pentagon, and now the citizens of Lancaster County as part of Coroner Deese’s MRU.” said McCollum. CR Equine & Kennel’s Operations Manager Todd Ellis will serve as the MRU’s Deputy Coroner Director of Equine Management, “As CREK’s Operations Manager, it’s my job to make sure the horses are well cared for and our grounds and structures are well maintained. I look forward to bringing those skills to the MRU to help others. I am honored to serve.”

Leadership also includes lifelong horsewoman and veteran death case analyst Alexis Pettler, who will serve as the MRU’s Deputy Coroner Director of Logistics. “I am honored to work with this incredible team under the leadership of Coroner Deese. My focus and passion has always been helping the community and those around me and this position gives me the opportunity to utilize both my death investigation and horsemanship skills.” Paramedics Josh Faulkenberry and Terri Faulkenberry, also lifelong horse owners make up the MRU’s EMS Team. Together under Coroner Deese, the Lancaster County Coroner’s Office Mounted Response Unit will soon stand ready to deploy at her request.

Along with Friesians and Gypsy Vanners, a primary goal of the LCCO MRU is to use crossbred and purebred draft horses that were abused then thrown away. In addition to Deputy Coroner Commander Pettler’s personal Friesian mare Kismet, three very special rehabilitated horses are the first equines to be sworn in by Coroner Deese. Yara is a Belgian mare in her late 20s broke to ride and drive who survived plowing the fields, a lack of proper nutrition and hoof care, and years of abuse. Yara is not only a bull doser in rough terrain, she can pull equipment into remote areas, carry equipment, and move heavy objects like downed trees out of the way for emergency personnel. Thyra (pronounced “Theerah”) is a 10 year old Draft Cross mare who is completely blind in the right eye and who endured poor nutrition and a lack of hoof care. Thyra’s blind eye doesn’t stop her from anything. She is a fearless horse who follows her nose wherever it takes her. Gunnr is a 12 year old Belgian Cross gelding broke to ride and drive whose scars on his face and head are sad reminders of equipment put on too tight and left on too long. Gunnr is calm and cool under all circumstances. His agility and stamina will prove useful on long deployments. Yara, Thyra, and Gunnr happened to cross paths with Todd and Laura. Today, with continued months of recovery, healing, and training, Yara, Gunnr, and Thyra are thriving; safe, happy, and healthy at CR Equine & Kennel eager to begin their public safety training to go from Rescuee to Rescuer.

The Lancaster County Coroner’s Office is now accepting donations to help pay for equine care, training, and equipment. Additionally, Yara being elderly and having been abused requires special care. Deputy Coroner Director Ellis said, “When I saw Yara, I knew she had suffered things no animal should ever suffer. But it wasn’t until I got to know her that I realized her trauma ran much deeper than I ever saw. She’s come a long way, but still has a long way to go. Learning to trust humans is like moving a mountain for her after all the abuse she’s suffered. Anyone wanting to donate anything to help care for Yara is not necessary, but would be much appreciated.”

Press Releases:

January 17, 2025 South Carolina Coroner Launches First Coroner’s Office Based Mounted Response Unit in the United States 

Media:

Radio Lancaster County has possibly the nation's first mounted response unit 

Print Coroner's Office to start country's first mounted response unit

TV Lancaster Co. Coroner's Office swears-in 3 horses