The Treasure Coast is known for its beaches, sun, and events, but beneath the surface lies a deeper story shaped by history, folklore, and, in some cases, unexplained phenomena.
In this episode of The Current, we talk with Larry Lawson, founder of Indian River Hauntings and the Florida Bureau of Paranormal Investigations, to explore that lesser-known side of the region.
Lawson, a retired law enforcement officer with over four decades of investigative experience, shares how his career in criminal justice became the unexpected foundation for his work in paranormal research.
A Law Enforcement Background Meets the Paranormal
Lawson’s journey began in an unlikely place: the Dade County Jail in Miami. During one of his earliest assignments, he had a strange encounter that stuck with him. He saw what appeared to be a real person walking down a catwalk, but no one was actually there. It wasn’t eerie at the time, he says, it simply didn’t add up.
That moment eventually led him to explore the field of paranormal investigation using the same methodical approach he used in law enforcement. His team doesn’t rely on theatrics or assumptions. Instead, they follow a procedure: documenting everything, gathering evidence, ruling out logical explanations first, and cross-referencing findings with historical records.
Introducing Indian River Hauntings
Launched in 2016, Indian River Hauntings is the public-facing outreach arm of Lawson’s work. The group conducts guided tours and events throughout the region, including popular sites like the Driftwood Inn, the Fellsmere School, and Waldo’s Secret Garden.
The goal, according to Lawson, isn’t just to scare people; it’s to educate them. Paranormal experiences, he says, often come with historical context, and understanding that context is critical to separating folklore from possible evidence.
Key Locations That Draw Activity
Some of the most well-known haunted sites in Indian River County include:
- Fellsmere School: Frequently cited by Lawson as a location with consistent activity. His team has recorded unexplained childlike voices and laughter, despite no known deaths occurring at the school.
- Waldo’s Secret Garden: A historic venue that now hosts occasional public events. Guests get hands-on with equipment and investigate alongside members of Lawson’s team.
- Pareidolia Brewing Company in Sebastian: Notable for activity during early morning hours — a reminder that paranormal phenomena don’t always follow the ghost story script.
These locations aren’t chosen randomly. Lawson and his team only host public events in places they’ve formally investigated, ensuring they can speak firsthand to what’s been experienced and recorded.
History and Hauntings Go Hand-in-Hand
For Lawson, history is central to every investigation. Without understanding a place’s past, you can’t truly understand the present-day activity tied to it. The team often uncovers names or details during sessions, which they later verify through historical records. In one instance, a name captured on equipment matched a poorly marked grave of a child in a local cemetery, a grave the team didn’t know existed.
This attention to historical detail sets Indian River Hauntings apart. It’s not just about telling ghost stories. It’s about using research and structure to understand what might be occurring.
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Balancing Skepticism and Curiosity
Lawson welcomes skepticism — in fact, he encourages it. At public events and tours, many attendees come with doubts. Some are simply accompanying a more enthusiastic partner. Lawson doesn’t try to convince anyone of anything. Instead, he asks participants to remain open-minded and consider the data, not just the feelings or atmosphere.
A key analogy he uses: paranormal investigation is like a police stakeout. You may sit for hours with no activity, and then suddenly experience a few seconds of undeniable evidence. That’s what makes the work rewarding — and difficult.
Not Everything Is Scary
While media portrayals tend to highlight danger and fear, many of Lawson’s findings are more curious than creepy. He points to instances where childlike voices or laughter are recorded in otherwise quiet buildings — phenomena that raise questions rather than fear.
That said, not all experiences are lighthearted. Lawson recounted a personal incident at Fellsmere School where he collapsed unexpectedly after unsettling voice recordings. While rare, moments like these remind the team that the work requires preparation, awareness, and structure.
How to Get Involved
Indian River Hauntings offers multiple ways for the public to engage:
- Walking Tours: Held year-round in Sebastian and Vero Beach, these blend historical storytelling with real investigation findings. Tours are only hosted at sites the team has formally investigated.
- Special Events: Primarily in the fall season, these include brief presentations, team-led walkthroughs, and opportunities for guests to use investigation tools.
- Investigations: While public events aren’t formal investigations, select guests with serious interest may be invited to join more structured research sessions.
For upcoming tours and event details, Lawson directs visitors to his website: indianriverhauntings.com.
A Book to Dig Deeper
Lawson is also the author of Haunted Indian River County, a book that mixes firsthand accounts with deep dives into the region’s history. It’s not a collection of ghost stories; it’s a look at how legend and fact often intertwine.
Final Thoughts
Lawson’s approach is grounded in discipline, research, and experience. He’s not out to shock or scare. His work is built on a simple premise: there’s something happening, and we should try to understand it.
Whether you’re a firm believer, a skeptic, or somewhere in between, this conversation sheds light on the structure behind the stories — and the history that shapes the unexplained.
🎧 Listen to the full episode of The Current to explore the paranormal, the historical, and everything in between with Larry Lawson of Indian River Hauntings.
