In 1979, Crystal Rogers Aunt, Freda Sharene Sherry Ballard, went missing from Bardstown, according to The Kentucky Standard. According to the FBI, several items of interest have been sent to the FBI laboratory in Quantico, VA. He is the father of Crystal Rogers' youngest child. I don't need an attorney. Brooks' friend was arrested for lying to police. Early on, a friend and employee of Brooks Houck, Danny Singleton, faced 38 counts of perjury for lying to detectives during the investigation, but pleaded guilty to lesser charges of false swearing. No one has been charged, but Houck was named a suspect in 2015. We remain dedicated to bringing justice.. FBI takes over case of missing Kentucky mom last seen in 2015 Cop Nick Houck fired 'for warning suspect brother, Brooks - news Nick then failed a polygraph test conducted by an examiner from the FBI when questioned about the case. As a result, a three-judge panel said that there was a detrimental aspect to the boys visits with his grandmother. Over the ensuing three years, the drama around her disappearance would include accusations of police interference, the still unsolved shooting death of her father and a sign campaign straight out of the movie Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.. She lived with her boyfriend, Brooks Houck, which was the last time she would be seen alive. The 19-year-old was over seven months pregnant at the time of her disappearance, and, until August 1983. He pleaded not guilty to a handful of felony theft charges. The bones were reportedly located four miles from a Bardstown farm owned by Crystal Rogers' ex-boyfriend's family where the 35-year-old is believed to have last been seen alive. UPDATE: FBI concludes search of neighborhood in Crystal Rogers case "And now my whole family's name is trashed for something that's not even tied to me," he said. And I was just shocked. UPDATE: (8/28/21) A $25,000 reward is being offered for tips leading to arrests in the investigation into Crystal Rogers disappearance. Rogers has been missing since July 3. "I'm hopeful," Snow said. meee eet a amen O) N 0O oO oO N N =, 0O co oO Mh LEOMINSTER PUBLIC LIBRARY my AUVUEN SNGAd YILSNINOT Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2023 with . }; The FBI announced Friday that it had uncovered an item of interest on the fourth day of digging in a nelson county subdivision. On the one-year anniversary of Tommy Ballards death, signs showed up around Bardstown speculating about Brooks involvement in Rogers disappearance. Jul 30, 2017. I cant say for sure though. Brooks Houck was named as a suspect in the 2015 disappearance of his ex-girlfriend Crystal Rogers, who is presumed dead. News outlets report the home owned by Brooks Houck burned down in Bardstown on Sunday night. Brooks Houck Interrogation - YouTube Bourbon City Kitchen a hidden gem in NC. From the day the case started over a Fourth of July weekend to the FBI taking the case this week, we take a look back at all the major moments. I've been very quiet for a reason, so Im very satisfied.. Some of those properties Houck sold represented properties he had owned for many years, some as far back as 2005. Beshear says 3 killed in Kentucky during severe storms Friday, Lawsuit claims Louisville pool company spent customer money on Vegas vacations and plastic surgery, Gov. Several of Brooks Houck's properties were and are being used to hide and move drugs as well as evidence of his and his brother's crimes. I think the whole town wants it.. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Pennsylvania woman missing since 1992 found alive in Puerto Rico, Missing San Francisco DJs wife posts heartbreaking update, Father of 5 vanishes after leaving Louisiana bar during work trip, San Francisco radio DJ had mysterious brain issues before disappearing, missing Kentucky mother last seen six years ago. We appreciate the communitys support, particularly the residents of the Woodlawn Springs subdivision.. When he answered it, it was his brother, Nick Houck, telling him not to talk to investigators. FBI agents were searching a farm Monday morning connected to the man Rogers was in a relationship with at the time of her disappearance. FBI takes lead on case of Central KY mom missing for 5 years }); "We will definitely send something out when that changes," Anderson said. Spalding (@spaldinghurst) September 8, 2018. The Version table provides details related to the release that this issue/RFE will be addressed. that he only contacted his brother to tell him that "they might be trying to trip him up" and "he should protect himself.". When I graduated high school, seeing all the kids with their moms and they were like so proud. I agree with all of this I always knew the disappearance and the murder of Jason Ellis were connected.any connection to the women and her daughter who were murdered in their home before Jason Ellis was killed. TIMELINE | The disappearance and search for Bardstown mother Crystal Rogers, Missing Bardstown mother's car found abandoned with flat tire and keys in it, Weekend search scheduled for missing mother of five in Nelson County, Nelson Co. Sheriff: Missing Bardstown woman likely dead, boyfriend now a suspect, Suspended Bardstown police officer fired after hearing, Missing Bardstown woman's boyfriend says investigation is 'starting to get silly', Parents of missing Bardstown mother seeking full custody of her youngest son, Man accused of lying to grand jury in Crystal Rogers case appears in court, DETECTIVE: 'Crime' involving Crystal Rogers believed to have happened at Houck farm, Officers investigating after father of missing Bardstown mother Crystal Rogers shot and killed while hunting, Former KSP troopers hired to investigate unsolved crimes in Bardstown, Ballard family won't accept court-ordered apology letter from woman who stole signs in Bardstown, 3 years after Crystal Rogers went missing, Brooks Houck speaks to WDRB, Brooks Houck indicted on theft charges in Nelson County, Judge rules Crystal Rogers' son can no longer see his grandmother, Sherry Ballard, Jury acquits Brooks Houck of charges that he stole roofing shingles from Lowe's, Crystal Rogers' daughter talks about life without her mom during the 5 years she's been missing, CRAWFORD | Shift into 'March mode' powers positive postseason start for Louisville women, Indiana wobbles but rallies past Michigan State, 94-85, AT THE BUZZER | Van Lith's first-half tear carries Louisville to 74-48 ACC Tourney rout of Wake, Kentucky, Indiana utility companies working to restore power to thousands of customers, Humana sues architect, contractors over structural defects with 40-year-old downtown Louisville tower, Louisville mayor declares State of Emergency after damaging storms roll through Kentuckiana, Man dies after crashing car into tree in Indian Hills neighborhood, Louisville police say, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' actor, dies at 61, VIDEO | Louisville police release body camera footage of officer accidentally shooting 2 teenagers, Gov. I remember later on them telling me it could be a year before we find any answers. They were discovered on a farm close to where Rogers car was found. Rogers' body has also never been found. (Story continues. What happened to Crystal Rogers? | The US Sun detail_page_enabled: true, In 2015, Crystal Rogers was last seen at her then boyfriend, Brooks. Crystal's family also announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to her. Reach Billy Kobin at bkobin@courierjournal.com. Its so obvious the murders/disappearance are all connected. Ever since her disappearance, Rogers' family has plastered signs around Bardstown and its neighboring communities asking for any information on Rogers. This case stinks to high heaven. "And I do have a lot of hope that this is where the investigation needs to be at and that they may be able to provide me answers this time," Ballard said. Rogers, who was reported missing by her mother on July 5, 2015, was last seen two days earlier. Then in August, Tommy and Sherry Ballard started on the path of trying to get custody of the 2-year-old son Rogers had with Brooks Houck. Nick was accused of warning his brother that detectives planned to interview him and advised him not to speak with them. During the summer of 2020, the FBI took over from Kentucky State Police and the Nelson County Sheriff's Office as the lead investigator inthe case, with over 150 federal agentsservingsearch warrants in August 2020 atthree sites owned by Houck and his family members. In March 2018. honoring them, as well as the victims of other unsolved Bardstown murders, and urging witnesses to come forward. While Sherry Ballard has been hoping yet dreading the day her daughter is found, she told WDRB News in a recent interview that it won't be an easy day. His family believes the same person is responsible for both Tommys death and Rogers' disappearance. Who is Brooks Houck? What is the latest in the Bardstown murders saga? BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WDRB) This week marks five years since Crystal Rogers was last seen in Bardstown. "And I need closure. We celebrate community and we tell your stories. The mother and daughter were found dead in their home on Springfield Road near Bardstown. But his own investigation was cut short when he was shot and killed in November of 2016. Massachusetts : Molly Bish - Cults, Crimes & Cabernet - Podcast Sherry Ballard believes he was targeted and even said he thought he was being followed in the days leading up to his death. Houck is quite well-known in Bardstown, Kentucky. According to WDRB, Houck said that when his son would return from visiting the Ballards, his son would be sullen and uncooperative, extremely accusatory and demanding to know, what did you do to my mommy.'. "I wasn't even alarmed," Houck, said during his police interview. Check back with ABC36 for updates. Other members of the Houck family were caught up in the investigation. Nobody could get a hold of her.. Regarding the thought of finally finding out what happened to her daughter, Ballard said, "I want it, but its going to be so hard for me. Crystal Rogers investigation: Search at Bardstown property goes into Rogers first disappeared back in 2015her boyfriend Brooks Hauck was the only suspect named in the case at that time. Home owned by Brooks Houck, suspect in Crystal Rogers disappearance Brooks Houck is the former boyfriend and main suspect in the disappearance of Crystal Rogers. I know more than I should : r/CrystalRogers - reddit There are multiple people around Houck who have been implicated in her disappearance and Houck has also been accused of theft, for which he was acquitted. from Lowes. , refusing to testify for the fear she might incriminate herself. What a bunch of corruption. It's been a long road, and it may be even longer, but I think we're getting close.". In June, Whitesides was served with a subpoena to testify before a Nelson County Grand Jury, but she invoked her Fifth Amendment right not to talk. At the time of that call, Nick Houck himself was an officer with the Bardstown Police Department. "We love her and we're trying to find her and we just want her to come home," Sherry Ballard said through tear-filled eyes. I do remember during one of the searches, the Houcks had to leave the property and they only allowed Brooks on with a police escort to feed the cattle. Numerous podcasts have focused on the Crystal Rogers case. element: "#evvnt-calendar-widget", A year later, Tommy Ballard, Crystal's father, who had been at the forefront of the search for Crystal and the investigation into her disappearance, was shot and killed near his son's house, while hunting with his grandson. City officials held an administrative hearing on Nick Houck's actions and fired him a day later. Several weeks after Crystal's disappearance, the Nelson County Sheriff's Office announced Crystal was presumed dead and named Brooks Houck the main suspect. All rights reserved. The FBI began searching a Bardstown neighborhood earlier this week in connection to information regarding the disappearance of Rogers. Until justice is served, they have one simple request. Crystal Rogers, a mother of five, went missing over Fourth of July weekend in 2015. The land, which sits on 30 acres, is owned by the mother of Brooks Houck, who was named a suspect in the case in. Anyone with information can submit a tip anonymously. In the interview, Houck said that Rogers, their 2-year-old son Eli and himself left the family farm around midnight the night of July 3. Sheriff Ed Mattingly said at that time that Houck was fully cooperating with the investigation. Theres a pretty good chance whoever killed him wasnt actually standing on the ramp. pic.twitter.com/fg7nhk25jc, Fallon Glick (@FallonGlick) August 2, 2018. "I'll never think it was.". FBI agents have conducted multiple searches in and near Bardstown since Rogers went missing. Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda security chief back in Afghanis Canadian teacher with size-Z prosthetic breasts placed on paid leave, What's next for Buster Murdaugh after dad's murder conviction, life sentence, Murdaugh son collapsed outside court after sitting stone-faced through dad's 6-week murder trial: source, Tom Sandoval breaks silence on Ariana Madix split amid cheating claims, Kelly Osbourne posts first photo of baby son as he hangs out with uncle Jack, Greys Anatomy alum Isaiah Washington retiring from acting: The haters have won, Max Scherzer's first look at the new pitch clock, Chris Rock Jokes About Watching Emancipation to See Will Smith Getting Whipped In Advance of Netflix Special: Report, Kellyanne Conway and George Conway to divorce. The FBI homed in on one property being built by Crystal Rogers' boyfriend -- Brooks Houck, the only suspect named in the case -- at the time of her disappearance in 2015. In 2017, Kentucky State Police hired former troopers to investigate the cases of both Rogers andJason Ellis, aBardstown police officerwho wasambushed in 2013and killedby at least two people. WDRB reported that Houck was indicted on four felony counts and four misdemeanor counts of theft after he was accused of taking more than 200 bundles of roofing shingles from Lowes in Nelson County over a period of multiple days. The couple, who have one child together, had been living together in Bardstown, a small town in the heart of Kentucky bourbon country, when Rogers vanished. Sherry Ballard said her daughter's children are now 22, 21, 19, 17 and 9. 16th Update: Nov. 19, 2016: Something Rotten in Bardstown Investigators had wanted to ask her about a white car of hers they believed was connected to Rogers disappearance. Brooks has never been charged or arrested, Nick later told the Kentucky State Police, the Kentucky House of Representatives and State Senate passed a resolution. This sign asking for prayers for Crystal Rogers was recently placed in Downtown Bardstown. Not at all!!!! And that's the day that if I ever have too much on my shoulders, that might be the day. HOUCK (BROOKS) VS. BALLARD (SHERRY G.) - Justia Law Last year, the FBI tore up a driveway in a subdivision of Bardstown whileconducting "several searches" related to the disappearance ofRogers. According to radio station WBKR, Brooks did not report her missing for two days, and ultimately it was her own family that went to police. These charges do not appear to be connected to the disappearance of Crystal Rogers in any way. They were discovered on a farm close to where Rogers car was found. "I think eventually she will be found, yes," Snow said. Powered by. Her keys, cellphone and purse were still inside. Hes very deceiving, she said. category_id: null, Houck is also the father of one of Rogers sons and owns properties in the subdivision, the newspaper reported last week. Crystal was last seen on the afternoon of July 3rd, 2015 playing games on her phone at her home. An item of interest was discovered while investigators scoured for clues about the disappearance of Crystal Rogers. The mother of a Kentucky woman who vanished more than six years ago says the FBI has turned its focus to three homes constructed by the missing woman's boyfriend around the time of her. A few months after Crystal Rogers disappeared, Brooks Houck took up with Crystal Dawn Maupin (above), a 41-year-old mother of three, and on July 8, 2016, Maupin announced on her Facebook page that the two were an item. In late-July, Brooks Houck's new girlfriend, Crystal Maupin, was arrested. The motive and person behind his murder remain a mystery to this day. On Sept. 7, 2021, the FBI announced that search in Bardstown had ended, with several "items of interest" sent to a lab in Virginia for testing. BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WTVQ/WHAS) -The FBI is searching a Bardstown neighborhood for evidence in connection to the disappearance of Crystal Rogers. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. This is a developing story. Brooks Houck is the prime suspect in the 2015 disappearance of his then girlfriend and mother of 5 Crystal Rogers. Copyright 2017 WAVE 3 News. Crystal Rogers: Federal agents dig up concrete driveway on Day 3 - WKYT submission: { the arrest of Danny Singleton on 38 counts of false swearing after he allegedly lied under oath to a grand jury in relation to the investigation of Crystal Rogers disappearance. Employee of Boyfriend Arrested on Perjury Charges in Crystal - NBC News Again, the motive and perpetrator have never been determined. Large chunks of the driveway were hauled outof the neighborhood inconstruction trucks. Crystal's dad, Tommy Ballard, searched every day for his daughter. He is also the father of Rogers youngest child. At the VERY LEAST -crystal and her fathers murder isnt connected. 'My family just needs answers': FBI search Bardstown farm as part of Beshear declares state of emergency; 3 dead due to severe storms, KSP search Brooks Houck's grandmother's home in Bardstown, Father of Crystal Rogers shot and killed in hunting incident, Lead suspect in Crystal Rogers disappearance appears in court, Nelson Co. sheriff: One Houck brother a suspect in Crystal Rogers' disappearance, likely death. Here's what we know about missing Kentucky mom Crystal Rogers and - MSN orientation: "portrait", Wonder how they missed evidence of Crystals remains Im kind of surprised you were out there searching where Tommy Ballard was killed since its on private property that belongs to their family. I always wonder what my life would be like if she and my papaw was still here.". She will not spend time in jail, as long as she stays out of trouble. Bardstown Police Chief Kim Kraeszig told WDRB that they conducted a search warrant at Houcks house, looking for financial records related to the theft allegations. "He has not offered once to search or help or do anything for the family," she said. (WDRB Photo). On November 19, 2016, Crystal Rogers' 54-year-old father. He was shot from in front, by someone he knew; a fellow police officer, Nick Houck. "She could have just said 'I'm sorry. We are not providing the specific addresses of the searches in an effort to protect the privacy of the affected homeowners. Crystal Maria Rogers is an American woman from Bardstown, Kentucky who went . Brooks Houck main suspect in Crystal Rogers case | BARDSTOWN, Four years after Crystal Rogerss disappearance, the investigation still focuses on one person: Brooks Houck. "I don't think they would just randomly pick a driveway unless they had a reason to do that," Ballardtold WHAS. , Brooks did not report her missing for two days, and ultimately it was her own family that went to police. Brooks Houck, an initial suspect and Crystal Rogers' then-boyfriend, has denied involvement in her disappearance. Ajudge ruled in February of 2019 that Rogers 6-year-old son could not sit with Ballard until the custody case was complete, WDRB reported. Whitesides has never been charged or arrested in connection with Rogers' disappearance. Is that why Brooks ran for sheriff? The next day, Crystal would be reported missing by her mother, Sherry Ballard, after she couldn't make contact with Crystal. In December 2015, Louisvilles WDRB reported the arrest of Danny Singleton on 38 counts of false swearing after he allegedly lied under oath to a grand jury in relation to the investigation of Crystal Rogers disappearance. I hope Brooks and Nick, as well as anyone else involved in these murders, is brought to justice, but between the corruption of the Bardstown Police Department, and the knowledge Nick has to get away with it, I doubt they ever will. Houck has never been charged with a crime in Crystals disappearance. Inside were her purse, keys and cellphone. All Rights Reserved. As the years have come and gone, there's been a yearning for justice. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! I personally went and searched the area where Tommy was shot and found the tree Nick used to stabilize his shot and saw the marks left behind by the gunpowder and recoil. " I'm just praying this will bring us some kind of closure. Brooks Houck was dating crystal rogers at the time she went missing, and they have a child together. In May, KSP Commissioner Rick Sanders hired two retired troopers to investigate a handful of unsolved and high-profile cases in Bardstown, including that of Rogers and Tommy Ballard, the ambush killing of Officer Jason Ellis and the brutal murders of Kathy and Samantha Netherland. "I'm telling you I've been 100 percent honest with you.". Everybody keep praying and don't lose the hope, Fenwick said. In October, three months after Rogers disappeared, she was presumed dead by law enforcement. Talk to ABC 36 News anchors, reporters and meteorologists. Rogers family, however, was immediately concerned. Nick's family's farm is less than a mile from the off ramp Officer Ellis was shot at. LMPD and other LE departments have helped them out on all of these cases too. Nick Houck was also questioned by investigators in Rogers' disappearance. Tommy Ballard's case is still unsolved, and no suspects have been announced. "But instead, it's like she was trying to defend herself.". Maybe it would look highly suspicious if they didnt call in the FBI, and if this as big as it seems, Brooks days might be numbered because he might know too much. Nobody has. The sheriff's office has been the lead investigating agency in Rogers' disappearance. Bourbon Town Mystery, produced by the HLN Investigations team, takes a deep dive into the disappearance of Rogers. Are there or were there pigs on the Houck family farm?? You have permission to edit this article. On June 27th, 2000, Molly Bish was just 16 years when she vanished from her lifeguarding job at a local pond. number: 3, I hope they hold Brooks responsible and arrest him some day because clearly he is guilty as all get out. Nestled between the post office and the Shell Gas Station, Bourbon City Kitchen and Trade Company is a hidden gem of Cox's Creek and Nelson Co. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. FBI Raids Bardstown, Kentucky Farm Owned by Family of Crystal Rogers Her disappearance has garnered national attention, but there are still no answers and no signs of her. As CrimeOnline previously reported, FBI agents and cadaver dogs are at a subdivision in Bardstown, the town Rogers, then 35, was living in when she vanished in July 2015. The ex-troopers were also looking into Tommy Ballard's death and theslaying of teacher Kathy Netherland and her teenage daughter Samanthain 2014. Brooks Houck. Since my moms been missing, life has been really hard. It's very, very hard, Ballard said. kelley brown adam brown's wife remarried - molecularrecipes.com Nelson County Sheriff Chief Deputy Joedy Gilleland was then named the new lead detective the following month. In 2019, ahome being builtby Brooks Houckwas burned down inwhat city officials said was anarson case. At the time of her disappearance, the 35-year-old mother of five was living with her boyfriend, Brooks Houck, their two-year-old son, and her other children. Kyleigh Fenwick was 14 the last time she saw her mom. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Until the body is found, Nick and Brooks Houck will likely never be charged with her murder, or any others they've committed. At the start of the new year in February, a judge ruled to move Brooks Houck's theft trial to Warren County, Kentucky, because of all the media attention surrounding the Rogers case. Until the body is found, Nick and Brooks Houck will likely never be charged with her murder, or any others they've committed. People say it gets easier. He continued to deny his connection to the disappearance, saying, "My whole family's name is trashed for something completely not even tied to me. WELLSVILLE - William F. Davis, 83, passed away on Wednesday (February 22, 2023) at Maple City Rehabilitation and Nursing Center following a lengthy illness. Crystal Rogers' daughter talks about life without her mom during the 5 years she's been missing, CRAWFORD | Shift into 'March mode' powers positive postseason start for Louisville women, Indiana wobbles but rallies past Michigan State, 94-85, AT THE BUZZER | Van Lith's first-half tear carries Louisville to 74-48 ACC Tourney rout of Wake, Kentucky, Indiana utility companies working to restore power to thousands of customers, Humana sues architect, contractors over structural defects with 40-year-old downtown Louisville tower, Louisville mayor declares State of Emergency after damaging storms roll through Kentuckiana, Man dies after crashing car into tree in Indian Hills neighborhood, Louisville police say, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' actor, dies at 61, VIDEO | Louisville police release body camera footage of officer accidentally shooting 2 teenagers, Gov. Rogers wasnot known to go anywhere without her kids, according to the FBI. When Rogers went missing, Brooks said he wasnt initially worried about her absence since she often went out with friends and stayed out late, sometimes not coming home until the next morning. We know there are individuals in the community who have information on Crystals disappearance. Have you ever been on the exit where Ofc Ellis was ambushed? Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. The Kentucky Standard | pmg-ky2.com Kentucky officer Nick Houck fired after police claim he he failed lie PREVIOUS STORIES ON WAVE3.COM+KSP search Brooks Houck's grandmother's home in Bardstown+Father of Crystal Rogers shot and killed in hunting incident+Lead suspect in Crystal Rogers disappearance appears in court+Nelson Co. sheriff: One Houck brother a suspect in Crystal Rogers' disappearance, likely death. When you first meet him, everyone just thinks hes the perfect gentleman. after she was allegedly caught on camera ripping up signs connected to the investigation.