Scared Monkeys Discussion Forum

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/07/12/ky-police-search-for-mother-missing-for-more-than-week/ (http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/07/12/ky-police-search-for-mother-missing-for-more-than-week/)

Hunt is on in Kentucky to find missing mother of 5


Published July 12, 2015FoxNews.com


A desperate search has been under way in Kentucky for a mother of five who has been missing for more than a week.

Crystal Rogers, 35, was last seen July 3 by her boyfriend. He reported her missing from their Bardstown home two days earlier.

Police found her maroon Chevy Impala with a flat tire abandoned near the Bluegrass Parkway. Inside, police found her purse, keys and cellphone.

"Fox & Friends" reported Sunday that the boyfriend, Brooks Houck, has declared his innocence. He has taken a lie-detector test with inconclusive results.

Family and friends suspect foul play. Rogers' mother, Sherry Ballard, is among those who fears the worst.

 ::snipping3::

http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Reward-increased-in-missing-Nelson-County-woman-case-312335341.html
 (http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Reward-increased-in-missing-Nelson-County-woman-case-312335341.html)

(http://media.graytvinc.com/images/353*198/crystal+rogers+web.jpg)

Deputies execute search warrant in connection to missing woman case
Updated: Fri 11:40 PM, Jul 10, 2015

NELSON COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - One week ago Friday was the last time anyone saw 35-year-old Crystal Rogers. She was with her boyfriend at the home they share in Bardstown.

Her family found her car abandoned on the Bluegrass Parkway on Sunday. Investigators said Rogers' 2007 maroon Impala was unlocked with the key in the ignition and her phone, purse and other belongings inside.

Although no suspects have been named in this missing persons case, about a dozen law enforcement officials executed a search warrant Friday at the farm of Rogers' boyfriend's mother. Deputies would not say the reason behind their search.

Family and friends held a prayer vigil for Rogers Wednesday evening.

"We've searched rivers, creeks woods anything we can find. We've searched the entire area on both sides of the roads, we haven't come up with anything yet," Sherry Ballard, Crystal's mother said Wednesday.

 ::snipping3::

http://abcnews.go.com/US/sister-missing-kentucky-mother-questions-story-boyfriend-disappearance/story?id=32392503 (http://abcnews.go.com/US/sister-missing-kentucky-mother-questions-story-boyfriend-disappearance/story?id=32392503)

Sister of Missing Kentucky Mother Questions Boyfriend's Story About Last Seeing Her
Jul 12, 2015, 10:28 AM ET
By ABC NEWS

 The sister of a Kentucky woman last seen more than a week ago believes her live-in boyfriend knows something about her disappearance, despite him denying involvement and police saying he has been extremely cooperative with investigators.

Crystal Rogers was last seen by Brooks Houck, her live-in boyfriend, on July 3, according to the Nelson County Sheriff's Office in Kentucky. Her sister, Brooke Ballard, said she has questioned Houck's claims that Rogers, 35, stayed up late that night and was gone when he awoke the next morning.

"The stories just don't add up. You just don't go to bed one night and not know she's gone and then not worry when she left the baby," said Ballard. "He has not offered once to search -- or help -- or do anything for the family."

 ::snipping3::

Her facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/crystal.rogers.1612 (https://www.facebook.com/crystal.rogers.1612)

Wow, Klaas, you just found everything I was getting ready to search for.  You are the best.

She has 5 children.  I am assuming that this little boy in this picture is the son of the live-in boyfriend.  He is a cute little boy.

The Bluegrass Parkway is a very isolated parkway.  Not much traffic.  Not many exits on it until you get to Lexington.  Bardstown is a small town.  Bardstown is where Stephen Foster lived and wrote "My Old Kentucky Home".  It is a very old town.  The mother could not understand why she was on the parkway---said there is no reason for her to be on it.  If you go east you go Lexington and if you go west you go to Elizabethtown. 

I would say the boyfriend knows what happened to her. JMO

 ::snipping3:: ::snipping3::

From the above article:

"What makes the case even more difficult is that Rogers is the niece of a Nelson County sheriff's deputy and Bardstown police captain Tom Roby".

Here is the Bardstown Topix (interesting reading):

http://www.topix.com/forum/city/bardstown-ky/T753LGAN50PUTGDJD

 ::MonkeyNoNo::

VIDEO: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/boyfriend-missing-kentucky-mother-takes-polygraph-test-32381783

http://scaredmonkeys.com/2015/07/06/35-year-old-crystal-rogers-missing-since-7315-in-bardstown-ky/

He took a polygraph test and told HLN’s Nancy Grace the results were inconclusive.

That was first thought BlueMoon. So you are not alone.

Red, I have been reading the comments section (in a small rural town like Bardstown everyone knows everything about the next person-no secrets in a small town) and some of them are very interesting.  The boyfriend's brother is a policeman.  The boyfriend ran against the sheriff last year, evidently he lost and the sheriff he ran against is quoted in one of these articles as saying the boyfriend is fully cooperating.  Also, this is the 2nd tragedy in this family.  Her aunt (I will go back to find the article) went missing a few years ago.  Her car was found in the Ohio river but her body and her unborn baby's body was found in a shallow grave a long time after.  Her husband is in prison for hiring someone to murder her and get rid of the body.  He didn't want to pay for the support of the baby.  Too much going on in this family, boyfriends family---too much connection all around to the law enforcement of this community.

They found her car going west on the parkway toward Elizabethtown at mile marker 14.  It is deserted in that area.  There is a long high hill you have to climb on the parkway and there is nothing but forest all around.  It is (to me) a spooky area.  I was suppose to drive there back a few years ago for a meeting in Bardstown but it came an ice storm and I couldn't get there for the hill.  I was glad it snowed and iced over cause I was concerned about driving in that area by myself.

Here is the article on the other missing person in this family:

http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2015/07/kentucky_mother_of_5_missing_i.html


 ::snipping3:: ::snipping3:: ::snipping3::

Kentucky mother of 5 missing in second disappearance to strike family
Print Email
Crystal Bonvillian | cbonvillian@al.com By Crystal Bonvillian | cbonvillian@al.com
Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on July 12, 2015 at 12:01 PM, updated July 12, 2015 at 12:02 PM


A Kentucky mother of five is missing in what authorities say is the second such tragedy to strike her family.

 ::snipping3::

...........................The Kentucky Standard reported that Rogers' disappearance is the second to occur in her family. Rogers' paternal aunt, Sherry Ballard Barnes, disappeared in 1979 at the age of 19.

Barnes, who was more than seven months pregnant when she disappeared, was never seen alive again. Her purse and car were found in the Ohio River a week after she vanished, but it was three years before investigators found her remains and those of her unborn child buried in a rural area.

Her husband, Edsel "Eddie" Barnes, was convicted in 1984 of hiring a man to kill his pregnant wife to avoid the cost of delivering and paying to support the child, the Kentucky New Era reported. He was sentenced to life in prison.

http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1507/09/ng.01.html

NANCY GRACE

Dr. Sievers Murder Investigation Developments; Kentucky Woman Vanishes. Aired 8-9p ET
Aired July 9, 2015 - 20:00:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
 ::snipping3::
GRACE: My question was what you had been doing with them. Let me ask you this. I know that you agreed to take a polygraph. Did you pass?

HOUCK: Because of the way that the lines or whatever were they, they determined it to be inconclusive. I`m not exactly sure what that means.

 But they did tell me it does mean that I wasn`t lying or I didn`t pass it or I didn`t fail it. They just ruled it inconclusive and that is exactly

 the way it stands.

I have been 100 percent completely honest with everyone. I have been 100 percent cooperative in everything that has been asked of me. I have not

 asked for any kind of legal advice or assistance or an attorney of any nature. I`m 100 percent completely innocent in this. And I have exhausted

 my efforts with the law enforcement agencies to gather all the facts necessary to allow me to have a clean name again.

That`s very important to me. I have not responded to a lot of the negativity and all of this animosity because I want the emphasis to remain

 on Crystal`s safe return home. And that`s where I want it to stay focused in that area rather than dealing with any of the animosity between the 
families.
 ::snipping3::

TWO DAYS!!!

Sister of missing Kentucky woman questions boyfriend’s story
Published July 13, 2015

Crystal Rogers, a 35-year-old mother of five, was last seen July 3 by boyfriend Brooks Houck at the couple’s home in Bardstown, Ky. Houck told police that Rogers had stayed up late that night, and was gone when Houck woke up the following morning. HE THEN WAITED ANOTHER TWO DAYS TO CONTACT AUTHORITIES.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/07/13/ky-police-search-for-mother-missing-for-more-than-week/

Crystal has 5 kids by 4 different fathers.  The little boy in the above picture is her's and Brooks child.  That leaves 3 more fathers of 4 kids.  She was staying at her boyfriends house with their child.  Where were her other 4 kids?  Who has them when she is at her boyfriends?  I would like to hear from the other 3 fathers of those kids.  That's a lot of different fathers.  Somewhere down the road there is bound to be conflicts between all 4 fathers. jmo

scared me when i saw the heading, my cuz, he has a daughter
by the same name, less 3 kids and NC was the home state
last i knew

Crystal Rodgers and Brooks W Houck, live at the same addy, so 411 says
http://www.411.com/name/Crystal-M-Rogers/Bardstown-KY/6p28zf8
http://www.411.com/name/Brooks-W-Houck/Bardstown-KY/6fm4yia

addy to BRPKWY
https://goo.gl/maps/0BnCr

http://www.kystandard.com/content/rogers-left-walmart-after-430-pm-july-3

Rogers left Walmart after 4:30 p.m. July 3
By Staff
Thursday, July 16, 2015 at 6:09 pm (Updated: July 16, 7:09 pm)

 ::snipping3:: ::snipping3::

PLG-TV and The Kentucky Standard have obtained a copy of the receipt Crystal Rogers reportedly received at Walmart on Friday, July 3, sent to us via picture message by her father, Tommy Ballard.

According to the receipt, Rogers was at the register at 4:36 p.m. and purchased several food items, a T-ball plate, a junior sniper air rifle, a bucket and two boys T-shirts.

Although police say she was seen later that day at the farm of her boyfriend’s family, the receipt is one of the last verifiable documents of the missing mother’s whereabouts to be made public.

Family members reported seeing Rogers with three of her children, including her 2-year-old son, at the retail store that afternoon. From there, Ballard says Rogers took the two older children to their father and then had an appointment to show a real estate listing at 5 p.m.

............................................



One thing I find odd is her car was sitting on the Bluegrass Parkway for 3 days before being discovered and only when she was reported missing.  I know for a fact that any vehicle abandoned on any interstate or parkway or major highway in Kentucky is tagged with a big red sticker.  This occurs by the state police or the nearest police department.  I can't figure out why that car wasn't noticed within at least 24 hours and tagged.  Odd to me.  Any law enforcement who would have tagged that vehicle would have checked out the vehicle inside and out before tagging it. jmo

One other thing, she had a 5:00 appointment (see bold above), that raises eyebrows also but Brooks says she was home that night with him.  Doesn't add up if something happened to her at 5:00 and he claims he was with her that night.  Doesn't add up.

Here is another headline.  This occurred on Houck's farm which belongs to his mother:

http://www.kystandard.com/content/illegal-burn-extinguished-houck-farm
 ::snipping3::

Illegal burn extinguished on Houck farm
by Randy Patrick
Friday, July 17, 2015 at 11:10 am

Firefighters and deputy sheriffs responded Thursday night to a report of a fire on Rose Mary Houck’s farm on Paschal Ballard Lane to what turned out to be an illegal burn.




I wonder what the illegal burn was. 

BPD connection to Rogers investigation questioned

Boyfriend who last reportedly saw her has brother on police force
By Forrest Berkshire, Editor
Thursday, July 16, 2015 at 6:09 pm (Updated: July 16, 7:05 pm)

Since shortly after Crystal Rogers went missing nearly two weeks ago, family members have voiced their suspicions that her boyfriend is tied in some way to her disappearance.

But in recent days, those suspicions have expanded to encompass more than just Brooks Houck, her 33-year-old live-in boyfriend and father of one of her five children. Several family members have also raised questions about Houck’s brother, Nick Houck, who is a Bardstown Police officer.

Several volunteers searching along Ky. 49 have reported seeing a Bardstown Police cruiser and another vehicle matching the description of Brooks’ vehicle pass by their field headquarters in the direction of the Houck family farm.

There have also been reports that Nick Houck was on administrative leave or suspended, and that his police cruiser had been seized as part of the investigation into Rogers’ disappearance.

Bardstown Police Chief Rick McCubbin acknowledged the rumors about Houck’s absence Thursday, and said they are false. But when pressed about the details of Houck’s cruiser, McCubbin declined to comment.

“He is not on administrative leave. He is not suspended. There’s nothing,” McCubbin said regarding Nick Houck’s duties with the department.

McCubbin said his officer was due back on Monday and was currently off work with the rest of his patrol platoon as part of his normal duty rotation.

When asked about Houck’s police cruiser, McCubbin said he could only confirm that the car had broken down and had to be towed. But it was not in the shop, and the Bardstown Police Department did not have the vehicle in its possession Thursday.

When asked where the cruiser was, McCubbin said that was a question the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office would have to answer.

Houck’s cruiser was allegedly seen traveling along Ky. 49 July 8 around sunset. Police have confirmed a search warrant was executed on the family farm — the last place police say Rogers was reported being seen by anyone other than Houck — on July 10.

“I would have to assume that’s true,” McCubbin said of witnesses’ claims that they saw Houck’s cruiser passing through the area. “He can take his car anywhere. To me that’s not alarming.”

McCubbin said it was a take-home car, and Houck’s mother lives on the farm on Paschal Ballard Road near the intersection of Balltown and Loretto roads.

McCubbin said Officer Nick Houck, a patrolman, would not have information about the pending search warrant for his family’s property. McCubbin said patrol officers normally don’t have knowledge of pending search warrants even in their own department, and he pointed out that Rogers’ disappearance is being investigated by the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office.

When contacted Thursday, Nelson County Sheriff Ed Mattingly would not comment on the status of the investigation, and said he would neither confirm nor deny if Officer Houck’s cruiser had been searched or processed for evidence.
much more.....
 ::monkeyscissors::

ooppsss forgot link  ::MonkeyHaHa::

http://www.kystandard.com/content/bpd-connection-rogers-investigation-questioned

There appears to be problems in Bardstown's police force.  Not long ago a state policeman was shot and killed on the Bluegrass Parkway exit ramp.  They never did find out who did it and it appears he was targeted.  The best I can remember is someone dropped tree trimmings on the exit ramp and when the state trooper pulled over to remove it he was shot and killed.  I think some people of the community believe he was targeted by maybe one of his own.  I see this being mentioned on Topix and other articles.

Here is the article on the shooting:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/kentucky-cop-killed-premeditated-ambush/story?id=19265234

 ::snipping3:: ::snipping3::

Kentucky Cop Shot Dead in Roadside Ambush
May 27, 2013
By JOSH HASKELL
Josh Haskell More from Josh »
Digital Journalist
via World News

Authorities are searching for clues in the shooting death of a Bardstown, Ky., police officer who was ambushed along a highway exit ramp after leaving his car to remove debris from the road.

State police believe the debris was intentionally placed to draw someone out of their vehicle, but they're not sure whether a law enforcement officer was the target or someone else.

"I've been a trooper for 19 years and I've never seen anything like this, the level of planning," Trooper Norman Chaffins with the Kentucky State Police told ABCNews.com. The State Police are the lead agency on the investigation.

K-9 Officer Jason Ellis, 33, was on his way home at 2:53 a.m. Saturday morning when he stopped on the exit 34, the same ramp he took every day off the Blue Grass Parkway in Nelson County, 10 miles from Bardstown. When Ellis began removing debris from the roadway, he was shot multiple times. Kentucky State Police wouldn't say what the debris was, calling it a crucial part of the investigation...............................................

The trooper was killed 10 miles east of Bardstown and it was at the exact time he left work to go home.  Appears to me it HAD to be someone who knew his routine very very well.

Crystal's car was found abandoned 10 miles west of Bardstown.  If it had been tagged as abandoned it would have occurred in no less than 4-5 hours because this is one thing the troopers look for when making their rounds on these roadways.  Again, why did it take 3 days to find her car--only after she was reported missing did they find it.

Exactly Bluemoon
it was actually 2 days,she went missing on July 3rd right?And he car was found July 5th.I believe car was found by her Dad and Brother,not the Police.You would think with all these relatives in law enforcement one of them would have found her car and sooner.

From your link above:

   “It was illegal material being burned, lumber and plastic,” and it was hard to put out, said Asst. Chief Anthony Skube of the Bardstown-Nelson County Volunteer Fire Department, who was the incident commander.

Skube said nine firefighters and two tankers were on the scene for the fire, which was dispatched at 7:08 p.m.

The fire was actually in the New Hope Fire Department’s area, but BNCVFD were the only ones who responded because first responders weren’t sure which district it was in.

“It’s illegal to burn anything besides vegetation” such as tree limbs, Skube said.

However, no one was cited for the illegal burn, he added.

Yes, the mother and father reported her missing and the father and son located her car.  I really can't believe that car was sitting there on the parkway for over 2 days.  In that isolated area it would stick out like a sore thumb unless someone who knew the vehicle (like in law enforcement) belong to her saw it and didn't record and tag it.  I have seen state troopers and local police on the parkways and interstate tagging these vehicles.  I have seen them going through the entire vehicle searching it.  In Kentucky we have members of the state highway department who travel these roadways looking for people who are having vehicle problems.  Someone should have found her car sooner unless it was put there about the time she was reported missing.  JMO

http://www.wdrb.com/story/29579254/more-than-100-volunteers-help-search-for-crystal-rogers-in-nelson-county

More than 100 volunteers help search for Crystal Rogers in Nelson County
Posted: Jul 18, 2015 3:57 PM EST
Updated: Jul 18, 2015 4:11 PM EST

The mother of five was last seen at her boyfriend's farm in Nelson County and more than 100 people spent Saturday looking for her.

Search teams full of volunteers used horses and ATVs at two different farms. Organizers say they've dealt with storms, tornado warnings, snakes and mud in their searches.

They added how overwhelmed they were that so many people would give up their weekends to help find Rogers.

"She was very very well liked, very good mother," said Sammy Johnson who leading the chase. "The biggest thing is the strangers that don't even know her, don't know anything about the family, have come out ... To me, to see these people come out, it's just a blessing."
 ::snipping3::

http://www.inquisitr.com/2263571/crystal-rogers-missing-mom-of-5/

Crystal Rogers: Mom Of 5 Still Missing After 2 Weeks — Parents Say Boyfriend Not Helping In Search
Posted: July 19, 2015

Crystal Rogers, a 35-year-old mom of five kids — including a two-year-old boy with her boyfriend Brooks Houck — vanished from the home the couple shared in Bardstown, Kentucky, on July 3. On Saturday, July 18, with the missing mom gone for more than two weeks, her family put together a new search that brought together more than 100 people from several states to comb the area once more for any trace of Crystal.

But according to the missing woman’s family, Houck has not helped at all — and has proceeded with his daily life as if nothing is any different, accusations which Houck denies.

“He hasn’t participated with us at all,” said Crystal’s mom, Sherry Ballard. “If he truly loved my daughter, he would do anything to find her because we’re doing anything.”

She also accused Houck of having “no emotion” about Crystal’s disappearance. “It’s like nothing has changed for him,” she said.

“Him or none of his family has been out to find her,” said the missing woman’s father, Tommy Ballard, in a local TV interview. “We’re the ones who reported her missing.”
 ::monkeyscissors::

I thought this was interesting.....

http://www.statement-analysis.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/statement-analysis-of-brooks-houck.html

This is very disturbing that you would not participate in searching for your fiance. Speaks volumes.

This is very very odd.  What I don't understand is why did they find the babies diaper bag in the car with her purse and phone.  The father is suppose to have the baby (child) but he refuses to let the grandparents see him. I can't find where this info was because it was on Topix-Bardstown but yesterday they deleted all the original blog comments.  Also, it was mentioned that Brooks was her fiance but she is supposedly still married.  Also, someone said they broke up that weekend and she was leaving to stay somewhere else.  Sounds like a big big fight occurred about the 2 year son.  That would explain why the diaper bag was still in her car.  He really needs to show that baby so everyone knows that the baby is o.k.    jmo

Sorry for the giant quote stack but I forgot how to trim it.
I agree Red,seems strange him or his family wouldn't help search considering that they have LE in their family.But he doesn't seem too worried abut her at all.

Bluemoon,maybe she kept a diaper bag in the car?I don't know but it sure does sound like they had a big fight.

KarmaRoundup wrote:

I agree Red,seems strange him or his family wouldn't help search considering that they have LE in their family.But he doesn't seem too worried abut her at all.

Bluemoon,maybe she kept a diaper bag in the car?I don't know but it sure does sound like they had a big fight.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This case is sounding more & more like Drew Peterson to me. " I am the good guy etc"  While Crystals family says different. I think he knows a lot more about what happened to Crystal than he is saying. I don't like that he wont let her family see the baby. Makes me wonder why.

I did read that somewhere,like Bluemoon said,about him not letting Crystal's family see the baby.I think it was a Nancy Grace transcript.Crystal's Mom told him the babies sisters wanted to see their brother and he said no.So the Gramma said what if she leaves the house will he then let them see their brother and he said yes.She left the house and he never showed up with the baby.Apparently Crystal's parents dont like him.If I find the transcript again I'll post it.

read from one of those links above, that its the 14 mile mark
on the bluegrass pkwy
looking makes you wonder where she was going

bluegrass pkwy & home
37.759586, -85.595693
113 Glenview Dr, Bardstown, KY 40004
https://goo.gl/maps/T71oG

streetview
https://goo.gl/maps/YSrl9

Volunteers added to Rogers search efforts
By Kacie Goode
Saturday, July 18, 2015 at 1:25 pm (Updated: July 18, 1:25 pm)

Volunteers have stepped up to aid in local search efforts for Crystal Rogers, including out-of-state agencies contacted by the Ballard family.
On Wednesday, a nonprofit search and rescue group — Bring them Home — arrived in Bardstown, traveling from Florida.

The group, contacted by Rogers’ brother, Casey Ballard, was aware of the case from national coverage.
 ::snipping3::
Tammy Finci said the group consists of retired and semi-retired volunteers with military and law enforcement backgrounds. Her background is as a private investigator, with experience in crime scene investigation. Working about 15 to 20 cases a year, Bring Them Home normally covers cases outside of Florida and Alabama.
 ::snipping3::
The team brought with them two Dutch Shepherds, nationally certified in human remains detection, Finci said.

Also working with the group were volunteers with live-find canines, who have been scouring areas in the county off and on for the past two weeks.

Finci said the volunteers are working to help bring closure to families of missing persons.

The volunteers’ arrival signifies the expansion of search efforts that have taken place since Rogers was reported missing July 5.

Sammy Johnson, Rogers’ great uncle, has been organizing search parties from Ky. 49. With over 500 volunteers, he has worked to log each person’s efforts, including start times and coverage.
more@
http://www.kystandard.com/content/volunteers-added-rogers-search-efforts

open letter @ link kind of long



Chief McCubbin blasts ‘idiocy of rumors’ linking city officer and Rogers case
NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIO
STAFF REPORT
Friday, July 17, 2015, 11:48 p.m
http://nelsoncountygazette.com/?p=25747

I go back to what I said in an earlier post---her car was most likely put in that location (jmo).  That car should have been found within just a few hours of it sitting there.  It would have been tagged as abandoned by the local police or the sheriff's office.  I will look for the story on another woman that disappeared about 4 years ago--same thing, car and belongings abandoned along the Bluegrass parkway in about the same location.  They are pretty sure it was her husband and his family but they have not found her body.  I think the husband is in prison for the murder of someone else.  Then you have the state trooper who was ambushed going home at 3am getting on the entrance ramp of the Bluegrass parkway.  Sounds like copycats.  That section is deserted--14 miles ahead is Elizabethtown, much larger city than Bardstown.

The rumors are so rampant that the Bardstown Topix on Crystal Roger's has been deleted more than 3-4 times.  Every time someone starts up a new one someone deletes it before the night is over.  You cannot stop people from discussing this.  I am surprised they have not come on here and ask that this forum on her be deleted.

Here is the article on Kara Tingle Rigdon, Tim Miller and Equisearch searched for this woman, so far she has not been found:

http://www.lebanonenterprise.com/content/still-missing-still-searching-national-search-team-takes-kara-tingle-rigdon-case

 ::snipping3:: ::snipping3::

Still missing, still searching: National search team takes on Kara Tingle Rigdon case

Texas group led the search for Caylee Anthony
By Stevie Lowery
Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at 6:00 am (Updated: August 3, 1:12 pm)


Tim Miller knows what it's like to lose a child.
His 16-year-old daughter, Laura, was abducted in his home state of Texas in 1984.

 ::snipping3::

Sheila and Dale Tingle still don't have any clear answers regarding their daughter's disappearance, but Miller is hoping to help give them the closure that they need

 ::snipping3::

Kara Tingle Rigdon, 28, has been missing since July 17, 2010, when she was last seen on Beechfork Loop Road in Gravel Switch. The last known contact with her was at 2 a.m., on July 18, when she spoke with a family member. She said, "I'm okay. I will be home shortly." She has not returned. She was driving a family member's car that was found two days later on the Bluegrass Parkway. She was scheduled to be at work at 8 a.m. in Elizabethtown but never showed up.

If you notice the "Comments" are closed.  They are not allowing comments to anything concerning this case.  Just doesn't look good that they are blocking people from making comments.  I know some comments are over the top but come on-Freedom of speech.  How are they saying they follow up on comments yet they delete them and don't allow comments.  Strange is all I can say.   JMO

Facebook for Crystal

https://www.facebook.com/PrayForCrystalsSafeReturn

http://www.kystandard.com/content/police-search-melody-lake

Police search Melody Lake
Tuesday, July 28, 2015 at 1:52 pm (Updated: July 28, 3:03 pm)

 ::snipping3::

About a dozen law enforcement agency vehicles — including those from the Louisville Metro Police River Patrol, Louisville Metro Police Underwater Search and Recovery and the Nelson County Sheriff's Office — were on scene Tuesday afternoon on the banks of Melody Lake in Nelson County.

Several divers could also be seen in the water several hundred feet away from those vehicles.

When asked if the police presence had anything to do with the search for 35-year-old Crystal Rogers, last seen Friday, July 3, Nelson County Deputy Sheriff Ramon Pineiroa replied, “No comment.” ........................................


Must have acquired some tips for them to be searching this lake.

http://www.wlky.com/news/prayer-vigil-to-be-held-for-missing-nelson-county-woman/34467070


Organizers hold prayer vigil for missing Nelson County woman
Crystal Rogers disappeared almost one month ago
UPDATED 11:40 PM EDT Jul 31, 2015

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —A community is standing behind the family of a Nelson County woman who has been missing for nearly a month.

More than 100 people filled Nelson High School’s football stadium to pray for Crystal Rogers' safe return.

Rogers’ family was left speechless when their community came out in force to snap a photo showing them that they aren't going this alone.

“It’s just great to see everybody come out and support us. It means a whole lot,” said Sherry Ballard, Rodgers mother.

Mary Taylor, the event’s organizer, said they sold more than 6,000 T-shirts and more than 1,400 signs.

Organizers said they have raised nearly $50,000 for a trust fund for Rogers’ children.
 ::snipping3::
 ::MonkeyAngel::

Anyone know if this is anywhere near where Crystal could be?

http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Lexington-authorities-investigating-a-tip-about-a-body-in-the-Kentucky-River-321267591.html

Crews searched Kentucky River after receiving tip
Updated: Mon 7:59 PM, Aug 10, 2015

NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (WKYT) - Officials say they have ended their search for a body in the Kentucky River around 7pm Monday.

Crews were searching near the Valley View Ferry where Tates Creek Road meets the Kentucky River for most of the day.

Police say they received a tip that was third hand information over the weekend about possible evidence of a potential crime, either in the river or along it.

Officials from Fayette, Jessamine, and Madison County have been at the scene for the past six hours and taped off nearby Donaldson Park.
 ::snipping3::

http://www.lex18.com/story/29774335/witness-body-part-found-in-kentucky-river

Posted: Aug 12, 2015 7:37 PM EST
Updated: Aug 12, 2015 10:39 PM EST
Witness: Body Part Found In Kentucky River

A Jessamine county couple stumbled upon a disturbing discovery during a hike Wednesday afternoon along the Kentucky River.
     
"I just seen something laying there that looked like a hand," said Kelly Brumfield, witness. "I didn't know if it was animal but he said that looks like human."

"You can see the acrylic nail, it had to be a she because it had acrylic nail," said Richard Bryant, another witness. "There was flesh on the bone and everything."

However, after spending several hours on the scene on Lock Number 7 Road, Jessamine county coroner couldn't determine if the bones found were human.

"There's a partial limb which consists of a hand and part of an arm," said Michael Hughes, Jessamine county coroner. "That's difficult for us right now and I can't really say with any certainty whether that's human or not."
 ::snipping3::
The coroner said the limb will be taken to the medical examiners office and he hopes to have a report Thursday morning.

http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Crews-find-body-part-in-Kentucky-River-in-Jessamine-County-321627522.html?device=phone&c=y

Possible human body part found along Kentucky River in Jessamine Co.

Updated: Wed 11:32 PM, Aug 12, 2015

 ::snipping3::
Hughes says the body part was found near several small bones that appear to be from an animal. Whatever it is, Hughes says he thinks it has been out there for at least a month.

"The tissue is so decomposed it's almost leather-like. Human flesh does the same thing when it decomposes," he said. "There's very little connective tissue to hold the articulating joints - the hands, the fingers, the claws, whatever they are."

Hughes says he does not believe the discovery is linked to crews' search of the river in Fayette County on Monday.

The remains will be sent to the medical examiner for review on Thursday.

 http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Crews-find-body-part-in-Kentucky-River-in-Jessamine-County-321627522.html (http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Crews-find-body-part-in-Kentucky-River-in-Jessamine-County-321627522.html)

Coroner: Remains found along Kentucky River not human

Updated: Thu 1:08 PM, Aug 13, 2015

WILMORE, Ky. (WKYT) - The Jessamine County Coroner says the remains found along the Kentucky River on Wednesday are not human.

Some people walking near the Kentucky River discovered a possible human body part washed up along the shore in Jessamine County.

It was discovered around 4 p.m. near High Bridge.

Jessamine Co. Coroner Michael Hughes originally told WKYT that they appeared to be a hand and part of an arm, but he was unsure if they were actually human.
 ::snipping3::

http://www.whas11.com/story/news/local/2015/08/14/missing-bardstown-womans-parents-seeking-grandparents-rights-for-her-youngest-son/31746971/


Missing Bardstown woman's parents seeking grandparents rights for her youngest son

7:43 p.m. EDT August 14, 2015

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WHAS11) – It has now been exactly six weeks since Bardstown mother of five, Crystal Rogers, was last seen.

Crystal Rogers has been missing since July 3. Her car was found on the Bluegrass parkway with her belongings inside. Her parents, Sherry and Tommy Ballard, say what makes this harder on their family is that they have not been allowed to see their youngest grandson Eli, who Crystal shares with her boyfriend, Brooks Houck.

"Not only did they lose their mother, they lost their brother too because they haven't seen him since this happened," Sherry Ballard, Crystal's mother said.

By filing for grandparents rights, the Ballard's are hoping to be able to see 2-year-old Eli at least every other weekend and a day each week. They will have a court hearing next week.
 ::snipping3::
"We miss him I mean he is part of our family, we haven't seen him since this has a happened and I just sit and think what is going through his mind, he has his mom no more, he hasn't seen any of us, does he think we all just disappeared out of his life? And it's hard," Sherry Ballard said.

The Ballard's say they are doing this for a number of reasons. They miss seeing Eli, want to remind him of his mother, and want him to be able to spend time with his brother and sisters.

"It's been hard, I mean it's really hard on these kids, they can't see their brother," Tommy Ballard said.
 ::snipping3::

http://www.kystandard.com/content/parents-missing-woman-pursue-visitation-rights

Parents of missing woman pursue visitation rights

Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at 1:39 pm

Sherry Ballard brought a small stuffed pig in her purse to the courtroom Wednesday morning with the hope of giving it to her youngest grandson, who loves the animal.

   But after a hearing for visitation of grandson Eli was pushed back to Sept. 10, she knew the exchange would have to wait.

Tommy and Sherry Ballard, parents of missing Bardstown woman Crystal Rogers, have not been able to interact with Eli, 2, in seven weeks, since Rogers disappeared from the area.

The boy’s father, Brooks Houck, currently has custody.

Houck, who was also in the courtroom Wednesday, denied any comment on the proceedings.

While a reason could not be provided as to why Eli was being kept from the family, the Ballards said they would never put any of their grandchildren in harms way, nor would they speak ill of Houck, who has faced scrutiny by the community since Rogers’ disappearance.

“That’s his daddy. He loves his daddy,” Sherry Ballard said. “We’re not going to say anything negative around him.”

The Ballards currently see Rogers’ four other children on a regular basis, but said even before their daughter’s disappearance, it was usually Rogers who brought Eli to visit.

Following Rogers’ disappearance July 3, the Ballards said they had attempted to set up public meetings with Houck and Eli, in hopes that the toddler’s siblings could see him.
 ::snipping3::

https://www.facebook.com/PLG13

Kimberly Ballard is Crystal's sister.
Rhonda Mcilvoy is  Brooks Houck's sister.

PLG TV 13
August 17 at 12:51pm ·

One person was taken by ambulance to the hospital this morning after a two-vehicle collision on US-62, Bloomfield Road, near Browns Lane. According to the Nelson County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Dennis Wells and Sergeant Kaelen Matthews responded and discovered that a 2007 Lincoln Navigator, driven by Rhonda Mcilvoy, 28, of Bardstown, had rear ended a 2008 Nissan Altima driven by Kimberly (Brooke) Ballard, 23, of Bardstown. Both vehicles were going westbound, according to police, and Ballard's vehicle had slowed down and Mcilvoy could not stop in time. Nelson County EMS responded, and Ballard was taken to the hospital for injuries sustained. She was later released. Mcilvoy had a passenger and three children in the vehicle. Two of Mcilvoy's children were said to be taken to the hospital via a private vehicle to be examined.

http://www.kystandard.com/content/rogers-search-continues-smaller-scale

Rogers search continues, on smaller scale

Florida group returns to help

By Kacie Goode
Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 11:29 am

It’s been seven weeks since Crystal Rogers was reported missing to authorities by her parents and, while numbers have dwindled, search efforts by the family continue.

   “Right now, it’s probably four or five of us with the dogs,” Tommy Ballard, Rogers’ father, told the Standard. “That’s all we need right now with what we’re doing.”

Search efforts — which have extended as far as Marion County — began for Rogers Sunday, July 5, after her car was found abandoned on the Bluegrass Parkway.

Initially, the search focused around the Parkway, but eventually expanded to rural areas and water sources around the county.

Hundreds volunteered during the first month to aid in efforts. Many volunteers used vacation days or took off work to help, but as the two-month mark
approaches, many could not sustain their level of involvement.

“There’s a lot of people, if we need them, all we have to do is call them,” Ballard said.

Aside from local volunteers, the Ballard family has also received support from out-of-state agencies, including Bring Them Home search and rescue, based out of Florida.

The non-profit group arrived for the first time in Bardstown July 15 after they were contacted by Rogers’ brother.
 ::snipping3::

http://www.wdrb.com/story/29957201/at-candle-light-vigil-family-and-friends-hold-out-hopes-of-finding-missing-bardstown-woman

At candle light vigil, family and friends hold out hopes of finding missing Bardstown woman
Posted: Sep 03, 2015 10:25 PM EST
Updated: Sep 03, 2015 10:26 PM EST

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Dozens gathered Thursday night to hold a candle light vigil for a missing Bardstown mother.

Friends and family of Crystal Rogers lit candles in hopes that she will soon be found.

The 35-year-old mother of five has been missing since July 3, when she was last seen at her boyfriend's farm in Nelson County. Police say her car was found on Bluegrass Parkway with her keys and purse still in it.

"Her kids are what's getting us through this, honestly," Rogers' mother Sherry Ballard said. "I mean we have to be there for those kids and we don't want to be depressed in front of them every day, because we're trying to get them through it. So we just put a smile on our face and try to get through the day as good as we can."

A $71,000 reward is being offered for Rogers' safe return.

http://www.wlky.com/news/prayer-vigil-slated-thursday-for-missing-nelson-county-mother/35081924


Prayer vigil held for Nelson County mother who is still missing

UPDATED 11:24 PM EDT Sep 03, 2015

NELSON COUNTY, Ky. —It's been exactly two months since Crystal Rogers was last seen.

The Nelson County mother went missing July 3.

Her car and personal belongings were found a few days later along the Bluegrass Parkway.

Friends and family of Rogers gathered in Bardstown Thursday to pray for her safe return.

Her parents said these have been the hardest two months of their lives.

They said without the support of their community it would be nearly impossible to go on.

"It's really difficult when you get home or when you're doing your day-to-day stuff and you know things are not normal,” Rogers’ mother, Sherry Ballard, said. 

A lot has happened since the 35-year-old mother disappeared.

Investigators and family members have searched along roads, wooded areas and lakes looking for any sign of her.

So far, their efforts have been fruitless.

“I feel like if I give up, they're going to give up,” Rogers’ father, Tommy Ballard, said.

Giving up is something this family refuses to do.

And with the support of Nelson County behind them, they vow to keep looking until Rogers comes home.

“It's very hard when you come home and you still have no answers. When you have that community out there backing you up, it's not easier but it helps a lot,” Sherry Ballard said.
 ::snipping3::
“We will do everything we can so she's not forgotten,” Sherry Ballard said. 

Rogers' family is offering a $71,000 reward in the case.

If you know anything about Rogers' disappearance you're urged to call the Nelson County Sheriff's Office at 502-348-1840.

http://www.wave3.com/story/30000630/officer-brother-of-missing-womans-boyfriend-suspended-from-bardstown-pd

Officer, brother of missing woman's boyfriend, suspended from Bardstown PD

Posted: Sep 10, 2015 11:22 AM EST
Updated: Sep 10, 2015 2:54 PM EST

BARDSTOWN, KY (WAVE) - A Bardstown police officer, who is the brother of a missing woman's boyfriend, has been suspended from the force by Chief Rick McCubbin until further notice, according to a news release from the department.

Officer Nick Houck's brother, Brooks Houck, is the last person known to have seen Brooks' girlfriend Crystal Rogers before she disappeared in early July. He has maintained his innocence.

[PREVIOUS STORY: Bardstown community searches for missing mother of 5 as leads grow cold]

Chief McCubbin would not confirm if Nick Houck's suspension was related to Rogers' disappearance case. He would not provide further details about the reasons behind the suspension.

Dive crews were spotted in Medley Lake earlier this week.

No suspects have been named in relation to Rogers' disappearance.

According to the Kentucky Standard, family members of Rogers have voiced suspicions that Brooks Houck is somehow tied to Rogers' disappearance. They have also raised questions about Nick Houck.

Several volunteers searching for Rogers along Ky. 49 had reported seeing a Bardstown Police cruiser and a vehicle matching the description of Brooks’ vehicle pass by their field headquarters in the direction of the Houck family farm, the Kentucky Standard reported.
 ::snipping3::

http://www.wdrb.com/story/30000619/bardstown-police-suspends-brother-of-missing-womans-boyfriend

Bardstown Police Department suspends brother of missing woman's boyfriend

Posted: Sep 10, 2015 11:21 AM EST
Updated: Sep 10, 2015 7:05 PM EST

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Bardstown Police Department has suspended the brother of a missing woman's boyfriend, but would not say if Officer Nick Houck's suspension is related to the search for Crystal Rogers.

Bardstown Police Chief Rick McCubbin said Houck has been suspended until further notice. No other details are being provided.

Rogers, 35, has been missing since July 3.

The mother of five was last seen at the Nelson County home of Brooks Houck, her boyfriend.

On Thursday morning, Rogers' parents were back in court to ask a judge to let them see their grandson.

Rogers' parents are taking care of four of her children. Her youngest child is living with Brooks Houck. 

Tommy and Sherry Ballard say they haven't seen the child since before their daughter went missing, and they want a judge to change that.

"I'm hoping it won't be very long and we'll finally get to see him," Sherry Ballard said.
 ::snipping3::
We're told the judge did not make a decision on the custody case Thursday.

http://www.wdrb.com/story/30029640/personnel-file-for-suspended-bardstown-officer-shows-problems-on-the-job

Personnel file for suspended Bardstown Officer shows problems on the job

Posted: Sep 14, 2015 9:17 PM EST
Updated: Sep 14, 2015 9:27 PM EST

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Bardstown Police still refuse to disclose why Officer Nick Houck was suspended, but his personnel file indicates previous problems on the job.

We obtained more than 150 pages of records in Houck's personnel. They show Houck joined the department in 2006 and was reprimanded in 2012 for insubordination. He also got two warning reports in 2008, one for failing to call EMS to the scene of an accident and another saying he failed to alert dispatch to a traffic stop.

Houck's superiors also had concerns that he failed to take a missing persons report, drove his patrol cruiser while off duty, and came to work late and left early.

Nick Houck's brother Brooks Houck, is the boyfriend of Crystal Rogers. The mother of five has been missing for two months.
 ::snipping3::
More at link

Thanks for posting this.  I just read about it.  Very interesting isn't it?  Something is wrong in that county, too many unsolved cases.  I was about to think they weren't doing anything else on Crystal's case----of course, this doesn't mean it has anything to do with her case.  I hope it leads to something. 

I hope the grandparents get to see their grandson, more importantly, I hope the grandson gets to be with his other brothers and sisters.  That is just not right to separate him from his siblings especially at such a young age. Unfortunately, in the state of Kentucky grandparents rights are next to nothing.  They stand a better chance of the little boy getting to spend time with his brothers and sisters.

http://www.whas11.com/story/news/local/2015/09/23/police-staying-quiet-officers-suspension/72703042/

9:27 p.m. EDT September 23, 2015

Police staying quiet on officer's suspension

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WHAS11) -- It has now been exactly two weeks since Bardstown police officer Nick Houck was suspended. Officer Houck is the brother of Brooks Houck, boyfriend of missing Bardstown mother of five, Crystal Rogers.

Bardstown Police and the city attorney are still not releasing the reason why Houck was suspended. Bardstown Police will not comment on if the suspension is any way related to the investigation into Crystal's disappearance.

The day of officer Houck's suspension on September 9, we were told by Bardstown police that more information on the suspension would be made available after 14 days. 14 days have now passed and they are still not releasing information, but referring all questions to the Bardstown city attorney.

WHAS11 has obtained Officer Houck's personnel file and are taking a closer look at his record as an officer. This 164 page personnel file shows Houck has received multiple written warnings since he started with Bardstown PD in 2006.
 ::snipping3::

Apparently the Mayor suspended Houck without pay until further notice.....

https://www.facebook.com/BardstownPoliceDept?ref=ts&fref=ts

Bardstown Police Department
5 hrs · Edited ·

Update:

September 24, 2015
Re: Officer Nick Houck
Officer Nick Houck has been suspended without pay until further notice.

Regards,
John Royalty, Mayor

Chief McCubbin may suspend an officer with pay and suspend police powers, which he did recently however only the mayor can suspend without pay. Mayor Royalty has reviewed the request and made his decision effective today.

At this time there are no other updates that may legally be released. When a decision is determined or adjudicated there will be further updates and releases.

http://www.wdrb.com/story/30165890/nearly-three-months-after-her-disappearance-crystal-rogers-family-is-still-searching

Nearly three months after her disappearance, Crystal Rogers' family is still searching

Posted: Oct 01, 2015 4:30 PM EST
Updated: Oct 01, 2015 5:19 PM EST

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WDRB) -- She disappeared almost three months ago and Crystal Rogers' family is still working everyday to find her. 

The Bardstown mother of five's car was found on the Bluegrass Parkway with a flat tire, her purse, phone, keys and diaper bag still inside.

"Each day that passes gets harder," said Rogers' mom, Sherry Ballard. "You just think, are we gonna find her?"

As the weeks have gone by, the search party numbers have dwindled.

"Our family misses her," her father, Tommy Ballard told WDRB News.

The Ballards searched a rural part of Marion County Thursday.

Judy McKee and Tammy Finci were there with their dogs from Florida to help.

"This is the furthest that we've gone," Finci said about the organization, 'Bring Them Home' search and rescue.

The dogs are trained to find human remains.

"Usually, we don't get that close to the families. Usually, we work primarily with law enforcement. This has been an exception," Finci said. "They've become our second family and we'll keep returning until they don't need us anymore."

The family has already covered a lot of ground -- Tommy Ballard estimates more than 10,000 acres.

"There's a lot of crop land, farm land over this way," he said about Marion County. "It's a lot of secluded places. I just think she's over this way. I just got that gut feeling."
 ::snipping3::

http://www.wdrb.com/story/30268987/hearing-in-progress-for-suspended-bardstown-police-officer

Administrative hearing to determine if suspended Bardstown police officer will be fired

Posted: Oct 15, 2015 11:15 AM EST
Updated: Oct 15, 2015 4:09 PM EST

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WDRB) -- Bardstown's mayor and city attorney are considering testimony from an administrative hearing Thursday and will soon decide whether a police officer who was suspended without pay will be fired. 

Officer Nick Houck was suspended in September. His brother is Brooks Houck, the longtime boyfriend of Crystal Rogers. The mother of five was last seen on July 3 at her boyfriend's farm in Nelson County.

Rogers' car was found on the Bluegrass Parkway with a flat tire, her purse, phone, keys and diaper bag still in it.

Her family members have raised concerns about Brooks Houck's story and said he hasn't helped them search.

Police will not say if Nick Houck's suspension has anything to do with Rogers' case, which is being handled by the Nelson County Sheriff's Office.

Thursday, a detective from that agency was called into the hearing to answer questions.

Bardstown Police Chief Rick McCubbin also testified.

"We will be considering the testimony that was given and the evidence presented as that hearing," said city attorney Tim Butler. "We hope to make a decision within the next short period of time."

Butler says a decision could be announced as early as Friday.
 ::snipping3::

http://www.wlky.com/news/bardstown-officials-to-address-case-of-suspended-officer/35878674?utm_campaign=WLKY%20News%20Louisville,%20Kentucky&utm_medium=FBPAGE&utm_source=Social


Bardstown officer terminated for interfering in Crystal Rogers case

UPDATED 6:11 PM EDT Oct 16, 2015

BARDSTOWN, Ky. —The mayor of Bardstown has terminated Bardstown City police Officer Nick Houck.

According to an order from Mayor John Royalty, the decision to terminate Houck was made based on Thursday's administrative hearing.

The mayor's order said Houck violated procedures and policies of law enforcement when he interfered with the case of missing woman Crystal Rogers.

Rogers, who disappeared in July, was dating Houck's brother.

Brooks Houck has been charged in the disappearance of Rogers. Nick Houck has not been charged.

According to the mayor's release, Houck called his brother while the brother was being interviewed by the Nelson County Sheriff's Department as part of the investigation of Rogers' disappearance.

The mayor said Houck knew his brother was being interviewed and the call was enough to be considered interference and put his brother's interests ahead of the public's interest.

In an interview with Kentucky State Police, Houck said he told his brother he "should protect himself" and that "they might be trying to trip him up," which contradicted affidavits by both brothers.

The mayor said later in July Houck failed a polygraph test administered by the FBI, which was a violation for the city of Bardstown policy and canon of ethics. Royalty said during the time period, Houck continuously claimed he couldn't remember details -- mundane and significant -- even regarding city property, including his take-home police cruiser.

As a law enforcement officer, the mayor said Houck should be able to remember facts, but that Houck can evidently remember few if any facts, which irreparably harmed his effectiveness as a law enforcement officer.

The mayor's order said Houck did not cooperate at a level expected from a Bardstown police officer.
 ::snipping3::

http://www.wdrb.com/story/30279253/nelson-co-sheriff-missing-bardstown-woman-likely-dead-boyfriend-now-a-suspect

Nelson Co. Sheriff: Missing Bardstown woman likely dead, boyfriend now a suspect

Posted: Oct 16, 2015 2:37 PM EST
Updated: Oct 16, 2015 4:47 PM EST

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WDRB) – Nelson County Sheriff Ed Mattingly says a Bardstown mother who has been missing since July 3 is likely dead and her boyfriend, Brooks Houck, is now a suspect in her disappearance.

“I think it’s safe to say she’s dead,” Sheriff Mattingly said of Crystal Rogers in a press conference Friday. "Crystal Rogers was extremely close with her family. She has had no contact with her family. There are certain things people do when they exist on this earth and she has vanished on this earth."

In a press conference regarding the dismissal of Brooks Houck’s brother Nick Houck from the Bardstown Police Department, Mattingly said Brooks Houck is now a suspect.

In fact, Mattingly named Brooks Houck the sole suspect in the case. He also believes Nick Houck knows what happened to her.

"I have 8 pages of circumstances that lead me to look in their direction, yes," Mattingly said.

According to a Final Order signed by Bardstown Mayor John Royalty, Nick Houck was fired from the Bardstown Police Department for interfering with an ongoing investigation into Rogers' disappearance.

Rogers’ family members have said Brooks Houck has not helped them search for her. In the Order, Royalty wrote that Nick Houck "did not cooperate with (the) ongoing criminal investigation.

Sheriff Mattingly says Nick also called his brother Brooks and told him not to talk to police, shortly after Rogers' disappearance.

"He has done things that caused him to be suspect," Mattingly said. "When evidence comes to a point that probable cause points at him, he'll be arrested."
 ::snipping3::

http://m.wave3.com/wave/db_336805/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=dzgtnPpA&full=true#display

Nelson Co. sheriff: One Houck brother a suspect in Crystal Rogers' disappearance, likely death

Natalia Martinez, Joey Brown
Posted:  10/16/2015 11:38 PM

BARDSTOWN, KY (WAVE) – Nelson County Sheriff Ed Mattingly said Friday that he believes brothers Brooks and Nick Houck are connected to the disappearance of Brooks' girlfriend Crystal Rogers, the Bardstown mother of five who's been missing since early July.

Earlier on Friday, Nick Houck was fired as an officer with the Bardstown Police Department for allegedly interfering with the Rogers case. According to a document released by the city of Bardstown on Friday, Nick Houck called his brother on July 8 to warn him that detectives were planning to interview him regarding his girlfriend's disappearance. That call came while a detective was in the middle of interviewing Brooks Houck. 

"(Nick Houck) has failed a polygraph regarding Mrs. Rogers' disappearance, he advised his brother to not speak to the police, he refused to speak to our investigator and he has been uncooperative in grand jury testimony and has selective amnesia," Mattingly said Friday. "He's not worthy of being a police officer."

Mattingly also said he would call Brooks Houck a suspect in the case, adding that he believes Nick Houck "has knowledge of what has happened."

Brooks Houck is the last person known to have seen Rogers before she disappeared. He has maintained his innocence.

Her family said they we're relieved to hear the news that there we're new developments.

"It's been a long time coming," Crystal's father, Tom Ballard, said.
 ::snipping3::

Father reacts to new developments in daughter's disappearance

http://www.whas11.com/story/news/local/2015/10/16/father-reacts-to-new-developments-in-nelson-co-daughters-disappearance/74105004/

Ana Rivera, @WHAS11Ana 11:59 p.m. EDT October 16, 2015

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WHAS11) – The search continues. For Crystal Roger's dad, Tommy Ballard, this is day 105 of searching alongside neighbors, friends, and dogs through the woods, weeds and water.

This one day is different.

"We've still got hope. Her kids have a lot of hope. But I'm kind of facing reality. I don't want to believe it but I feel like she's not here," he said.

When Rogers went missing in July, many were suspicious of her boyfriend Brooks Houck. Today Houck's brother, Nick, was terminated from the Bardstown Police Department. Police say he called his brother to tell him he was going to be interviewed as part of the case. The Nelson County Sheriff's department says Brooks Houck is now a suspect.

"I thought it was a long time coming. I'm happy." ::snipping3::

Ballard says today's developments help but until he finds his beloved daughter, the days will be long as the search continues.

"It makes me feel a little better but we still haven't found Crystal. It'll never be easier I know but finding her will give us some closure. I mean it's exhausting but I won't give up."

Ballard says he searches every weekend with friends and family. He says he's forever grateful for the people who always give up their time to help and he could never repay them.

This is what I suspected from the beginning.  Someone had to drive her car to the parkway to leave it there and someone (his brother) had to pick up the person who drove the car.  Stands to reason her boyfriend did it and his brother helped him.  From the looks of it Crystals' suffering is over but only beginning for her children and her family.  How sad.  Brook's was so darn smug looking in all photo's of him.  I sure hope their little boy can now be back with his brothers and sisters and not Brook's family.

 ::justice2nj2:: ::justice2nj2:: ::MonkeyTears::

http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/missing-in-america/boyfriend-crystal-rogers-named-suspect-disappearance-his-brother-terminated-police-n447131

Boyfriend of Crystal Rogers Named Suspect in Disappearance, His Brother Terminated from Police Department

Oct 19 2015, 1:08 pm ET

by Rachael Trost

Three months after Kentucky mother of five Crystal Rogers vanished, police have named her boyfriend Brooks Houck a suspect in her disappearance.

Crystal Rogers vanished from the home she shared with her boyfriend the evening of July 3, leaving behind the couple's young son. Nelson Co. Sheriff's Office

Along with announcing Houck as an official suspect last Friday, Nelson County Sheriff Ed Mattingly says he believes Rogers is dead.

Houck was reportedly the last person to see Rogers on July 3, 2015 at the home the two shared, leaving behind the couple's young son. Two days later, Crystal's unlocked, maroon 2007 Chevy Impala was found abandoned along Kentucky's Bluegrass Parkway with a flat tire -- her belongings still inside.

Just last week, Houck's brother Nick Houck, who worked as a Bardstown City police officer, was terminated from the department after officials say he interfered with the investigation of Crystal's disappearance.

 ::snipping3::

Crystal's family has searched tirelessly in the months since she vanished. Dozens of organized searches have been conducted in and around Bardstown. The family has long suspected Houck, saying in July, "Him or none of his family has been out to find her." The Facebook page 'Pray for Crystal Rogers' also continues to be active in spreading information about the case.

"Since they named him a suspect, I feel like they're working now, which I always thought the Sheriff Department was doing a good job, but it makes me feel a lot better," Tommy Ballard, Crystal's father, told WDRB.

If you have any information that can help the investigation, please contact the Nelson County Sheriff's Office at (502) 348-3211.

 ::rhino:: ::HelloKitty::

TM, I read a comment (just gossip at this point but locals do know a lot in small communities) that 2 days after Crystal went missing that Brooks poured a concrete slab either in his back yard or his basement.  The police have named him a suspect but without proof of some kind they say there is nothing they can do.  Sounds like the brother told them a lot but maybe he didn't see it happen and can only guess what Brook's did with the body.  Without some kind of proof they say they can't go any further.  This sounds like Scott Peterson to me.  I do know that one article says the parents quit looking for Crystal and her father returned to work this week.  Makes you wonder what he did with the body.  I also read that the mayor and sheriff were friends with Brook's.  All of these same people were well acquainted with the state trooper that was ambushed and killed on the Bluegrass Parkway-same parkway that Crystal's car was found. I don't know if all of this ties in together but something is rotten in that town.  Appears to be a "good ole boy" network going on. JMO only.

I wonder what it would take to get a warrant to use a scanner on the concrete slab?

I read they have to have "probable cause" to go in and dig up the concrete which means they have to have probable cause to scan it.  I read a comment on her FB page from a guy who said he could come in and scan the concrete and one of her relatives told him to contact the police dept and let them know.  Right now, they have very strong suspicions that she is dead but they have nothing to support that.  Brooks is considered innocent until proved guilty.  For now he has them right where he wants them. I would say he covered his tracks completely.

http://www.wlky.com/news/new-details-released-in-disappearance-of-bardstown-mom-crystal-rogers/35934528


::monkeyscissors::


New details released in disappearance of Bardstown mom, Crystal Rogers
UPDATED 6:22 AM EDT Oct 20, 2015
By Lauren Adams

Nearly 200 pages of documents and several hours of police interviews, hearings, and phone calls were included in the discovery.

 ::monkeyscissors:: ::monkeyscissors::

............................When investigators mention a burn pile a search dog has previously hit on, he also remembered lighting a trash fire.

"Did you burn anything Friday night?" the investigator asks.

Houck replies, "Yes, it's not uncommon. I don't want stuff piling up to the moon. I always light a fire."

A surveillance camera on his aunt's nearby home shows him leaving just before midnight.  Houck says he had left with Crystal but when he wakes up the next morning he said she was gone.

"I didn't know what to think but yes, I called her. I called her that morning," he says.

Houck said he later returned to the farm and admitted to moving a bulldozer to the top of the driveway and then his brother, a police officer, calls.  ..................................................

 ::monkeyscissors:: ::monkeyscissors:: ::monkeyscissors::

But during a nearly twohour interview, there was more.  Investigators told Nick Houck neighbors had reported seeing him taking something out of his police cruiser in the days following Crystal's disappearance and then putting it into his mother's car.

A search dog hits on his police cruiser and the Kentucky State Police Crime Lab, according to investigators, found even more.

"There's a couple spots in your trunk and that blanket lit up like Chernobyl. Why would that be?" an investigator asks of apparent blood splatter discovered in the trunk.

Houck replies there would not be blood in the cruiser's trunk.  The investigator presses on, "Okay, bodily fluids."

Houck said, "I don't have a clue."

He said he never helped move a body or helped to destroy evidence.  He claims both he and his brother are innocent, "There's no way he could do something like that.  He's not capable of it."

Law enforcement said last week Crystal Rogers is "presumed dead."





(Bold=me)   If everything I bolded isn't probable cause then I don't know what is.

http://www.wdrb.com/story/30299343/missing-bardstown-womans-boyfriend-says-investigation-is-starting-to-get-silly

Missing Bardstown woman's boyfriend says investigation is 'starting to get silly'

Posted: Oct 19, 2015 4:57 PM EST
Updated: Oct 19, 2015 10:42 PM EST
By Lindsay Allen

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -

New evidence was released Monday in the disappearance of a Bardstown woman, who has been missing since July 3.

Her boyfriend, who is now the main suspect, told police he wasn't initially worried when he woke up and she was nowhere to be found. Last week, police revealed Brooks Houck, Crystal Rogers' boyfriend, is the only suspect in her disappearance and they now believe she is dead.
 ::snipping3::

In police interviews with Houck, he tells them Crystal would go out with her sister and friends to "fantasy parties" and it wasn't unusual for her to be out late or even come home the next morning. He says he called her the morning she disappeared but can't remember exactly when or where he was when he made that call.

"All these girls get together, they talk about and do whatever, and it's not uncommon for them, when they go out and party, they stay out the better part of the night if not the whole night," Brooks told a detective.

Houck tells investigators he doesn't need an attorney and didn't have anything to do with her disappearance.

"My whole family's name is trashed for something completely not even tied to me," he said.

The detective points out Houck was the last person to see Rogers alive and there are gaps in his story.

While Houck claims he, Rogers and their son spent the evening of Friday, July 3 at his family's farm, the investigator brings up a text message Rogers sent to a friend earlier that same day.

"We've got a sitter for the evening. It's our first time being kid-free for a while, so we don't want to...we're kid-free. We're gonna enjoy ourselves," the detectives said while describing the text message. "Why would she lie to her about that?" 

Houck replies that he doesn't know.

He also tells police his focus has become protecting his son Eli, now that his mother is gone.

"It's taking a lot of energy and effort...I can't even go on the side of the road without looking like a murderer," he said. "This is starting to get silly. I don't need an attorney. I'm innocent. This, to me, is starting to get silly."

Last week, investigators named Houck as a suspect and officials fired his brother from the Bardstown Police Department.

They say former officer Nick Houck interfered in the investigation. During an interview with Nick Houck in late July, an FBI polygraph examiner says he failed a previous test and has been lying.

The polygraph examiner claims the questions Nick Houck had problems with are the ones about Crystal Rogers.

"I don't give a god d*** what your f***ing computer said," Houck said in the interview."I'm telling you that I have been 100 percent honest with you."
 ::snipping3::

http://www.kystandard.com/content/video-ksp-interviews-nick-houck

About 5 hours of interrogation videos released

Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 5:41 pm (Updated: October 20, 7:17 pm)

http://www.whas11.com/story/news/local/2015/10/22/parents-missing-ky-mom-plan-file-full-custody-grandson/74422484/

Parents of missing Ky. mom plan to file for full custody of grandson

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WHAS11) -- The parents of missing Bardstown mother of five, Crystal Rogers, plan to file for full custody of her 3-year-old son, Eli. The child's father is Brooks Houck who is Rogers' former boyfriend, he has now been named the main suspect in her disappearance.

"That definitely made a big decision on us speeding things up, I want Eli as safe as he possibly can be," Sherry Ballard said.

Crystal's parents Sherry and Tommy Ballard had already filed for grandparents' rights and partially custody of Eli back in August. They had a hearing Sept. 10, but now more than a month later they are still waiting for a judge to decide. Ballard said today the waiting is a little harder.

"Today is Eli's birthday; his third birthday," Ballard said.
 ::snipping3::

http://www.whas11.com/story/news/local/community/2015/10/22/crystal-rogers-sons-birthday/74393848/

Crystal Rogers parents speak out on new developments in case

Bethanni Williams, 12:45 p.m. EDT October 22, 2015

(WHAS 11)-- The parents of Crystal Rogers, the missing mother of five, are speaking out.(Video at link)

In an interview with ABC's Good Morning America Rogers' parents explains how they feel about the new developments in their daughters case.

Oct.16 police named Brooks Houck, Rogers' boyfriend, as the main suspect in her disappearance.

Her parents say their suspicions were confirmed.
 ::snipping3::

http://m.wave3.com/wave/db_338316/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=7mke7mYY

Full timeline of Bardstown brothers' involvement in missing person case


Laurel Mallory
Posted:  10/23/2015 10:27 PM

http://m.wave3.com/wave/db_338316/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=7mke7mYY&full=true#display

Full timeline

The documents provide a timeline of the investigation as it relates to the Houcks. Combined with what WAVE 3 News previously uncovered, this is the timeline in full:

July 3: Crystal Rogers is last seen by Brooks Houck

July 5: Rogers' car is found abandoned on the Bluegrass Parkway with a flat tire, and she is officially reported missing

July 8: Brooks Houck is interviewed by the Nelson County Sheriff's Office (NCSO), during which his brother calls him and allegedly tells him not to talk to the detective.

July 9: Nick Houck testified in front a grand jury, leading investigators to suspect his involvement in  the case. His police cruiser is confiscated and searched. The lead detective in the missing person case calls Houck and asks him to come in for an interview, which he refuses, saying "I have nothing to tell you."

July 10: Chief McCubbin speaks with Nick, telling him to fully cooperate and meet with the detective. Houck again refuses, saying if he "knew anything he would have already told him."

July 15: Nick is interviewed by Kentucky State Police and discusses when he can take a polygraph test in the coming days. Nick suggests Monday, July 20.

July 20: The FBI calls Nick asking him to come in for a polygraph, at which time he refuses because he is off duty.

July 24: Houck is on duty when the FBI again asks him to take a polygraph test. He agrees. The polygraph examiner then called Chief McCubbin to express his "grave concerns" with the results.

Sept 9: Nick is suspended from BPD

Oct 14: Nick signs an affidavit saying he told Brooks to fully cooperate with NCSO detectives

Oct 15: A hearing is held in the mayor's office to discuss Nick's possible termination

Oct 16: Nick is fired and Brooks is named a suspect

Wonder what the holdup was between July and Sept when he was suspended?  Appears slow to me to take any action. Maybe because he was one of them?

http://www.wtvq.com/2015/10/25/chief-takes-to-social-media-to-explain-procedure/

Chief takes to social media to explain procedure

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WTVQ) – The Bardstown Chief of Police is taking to Facebook and making a statement about a police officer who was fired after being involved in a missing persons case.

About a month ago, Nick Houck was fired from the police force after telling his brother, Brooks Houck, he was going to be interviewed by police. Brooks is the live-in boyfriend of Crystal Rogers, who has been missing since July.

The chief on Facebook Sunday, not only made a statement, but used the moment to educate the community, calling it, “a quick lesson in criminal procedure 101” after the folks were calling for charges against Nick Houck.

Full statement from the chief:
“Many of you have asked, sent emails, and stopped me on the street to ask why our former officer isn’t charged with a crime. Good question but allow me to teach a quick lesson in Criminal Procedure 101. First, at this point, this is a Missing Person case (legally speaking) being investigated by the NCSO. A Missing Person case is NOT a criminal case. What our former officer did during the interview was NOT acceptable ONLY because he was an officer. He did NOT give a “heads-up” and prevent his brother from questioning. That is all false rumor stuff. You saw the interview, obviously he stopped nothing. Secondly, a person cannot be charged with a crime when there is not a criminal case, if it becomes a criminal case then perhaps, but under our laws there is nothing at this point. And yes, the NCSO and I have both consulted with prosecutors. Regularly. Our former officer was fired only on administrative charges, not criminal charges. His actions were not acceptable for that of a police officer.
 ::snipping3::
 ::MonkeyNoNo::

http://www.wdrb.com/story/30377732/parents-of-missing-bardstown-mother-seeking-full-custody-of-her-youngest-son

Parents of missing Bardstown mother seeking full custody of her youngest son

Posted: Oct 28, 2015 6:00 PM EST
Updated: Oct 28, 2015 6:09 PM EST

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -

In downtown Bardstown, it's hard to miss the signs about Crystal Rogers.

The mother of five disappeared in early July. Her car was found abandoned on the Bluegrass Parkway with her purse and phone still inside. The Nelson County Sheriff's Office says Rogers is likely dead.

Her longtime boyfriend Brooks Houck was named as the only suspect less than two weeks ago, but he has not been charged.

"I just think if he's a suspect in that, if they think that he did that to my daughter? Is Eli in danger?" Rogers' mother Sherry Ballard said. "We can't help but think that way."

Crystal Rogers parents, Tommy and Sherry Ballard, are taking care of four of their daughter's kids, but 3-year-old Eli is with Houck.

"We haven't seen him, his sisters and brothers haven't seen him and it's just hard to sit and wait that long," Ballard said. 

They went to court to ask for visitation in September.

"We are still waiting for that judge to make the decision," Ballard said.

Rogers parents say even though the judge still hasn't decided, they now plan to take things a step further and ask for full custody.

"We would have taken visitation ya know, in the beginning, we just wanted to see that baby -- just to let  him know we're here and we haven't forgotten him," Ballard said. "But yes ma'am, we are seeking full custody."
 ::snipping3::

http://www.whas11.com/story/news/local/2015/11/18/fbi-joins-search-efforts-crystal-rogers/76012948/

FBI joins lake searches for Crystal Rogers

6:57 p.m. EST November 18, 2015

LEBANON, KY -- The FBI joined the search efforts for missing Bardstown mother of five Crystal Rogers. Today was the first day the FBI has been out on the water searching for Rogers, although they have been part of the investigation into her disappearance for a while.

The Nelson County sheriff's office said 12 FBI agents were there for the search including a dive team from Florida. They used sonar to search two Marion County Lakes for any clues to Rogers' disappearance. Rogers has been missing since July 3, and her former boyfriend, Brooks Houck, has been named as the main suspect in her disappearance.

The search team started the day at Sportsman Lake in Marion County around 8:30 a.m., then moved to Fagan Branch Lake just up the road this afternoon. They had to halt the search on the second lake due to heavy rain conditions.
 ::snipping3::

"We are searching this body of water because there was an interest with some canines and we are following up on it," said Ramon Pineiroa, Asst. Sheriff Nelson County Sheriff's Office.
 ::snipping3::

 ::MonkeyGavel::

http://www.wlky.com/news/-arrest-made-in-connection-to-crystal-rogers-disappearance/36998680?src=app


Employee of Crystal Rogers' boyfriend arrested, indicted

UPDATED 6:02 PM EST Dec 16, 2015

NELSON COUNTY, Ky. —New developments in the search for a missing Nelson County mother.

Danny Singleton was indicted Wednesday on 38 counts of perjury.

He works for Brooks Houck, who has been named a suspect in the disappearance of his girlfriend, Crystal Rogers.

According to investigators, Singleton lied when he appeared before a grand jury.

Singleton was taken into custody at his home in Bardstown at about 5 p.m. and taken to the Nelson County Jail.

Brooks Houck has not been charged.

http://www.wdrb.com/story/30770116/nelson-co-sheriffs-department-employee-of-brooks-houck-indicted-for-perjury

Nelson Co. Sheriff's Department: Employee of Brooks Houck indicted for perjury


Posted: Dec 16, 2015 5:52 PM EST
Updated: Dec 16, 2015 7:05 PM EST

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The Nelson County Sheriff's Department says an employee of Brooks Houck has been indicted for perjury in reference to the disappearance of Crystal Rogers. 

In a Facebook post Wednesday afternoon, the Sheriff's Department announced Danny Singleton -- who they say works for Brooks Houck -- has been indicted on 38 counts of perjury.

Brooks Houck has been named as a suspect in the disappearance of Crystal Rogers over the summer. According to the post, Singleton's perjury was allegedly committed when he previously gave testimony to a grand jury.
 ::snipping3::

Prayers for little Eli.

 ::MonkeyTears::

 ::monkeyflag3:: ::DancingSantaMonkey1:: ::MonkeyGavel::

http://www.wdrb.com/story/30840364/parents-of-missing-bardstown-mother-granted-visitation-with-grandson

Parents of missing Bardstown mother granted visitation with grandson

Posted: Dec 28, 2015 1:56 PM EST
Updated: Dec 28, 2015 2:13 PM EST

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The parents of a missing Bardstown mother of five finally get to see their grandson.

Crystal Rogers' parents say they were granted visitation with their daughter's youngest child, Eli. They asked a judge to see the boy, who lives his dad Brooks Houck.
 ::snipping3::

Great news!  Thanks KarmaRoundUp!  ::DancingSantaMonkey1:: ::MonkeyHeart:: ::DancingSantaMonkey1::

You're very welcome TexasMom
Hopefully this opens the door for Eli to see his other siblings.The Grandparents are raising them.

Happy New Year Monkeys!
 ::DancingSantaMonkey1:: ::snowmanlaugh:: ::monkeyflag3:: ::MonkeyGavel::

http://www.lex18.com/story/30864416/new-year-brings-new-hope-for-bardstown-family

Posted: Dec 31, 2015 9:10 PM EST
Updated: Dec 31, 2015 9:46 PM EST

New Year Brings New Hope For Bardstown Family

As many are getting ready to ring in the new year, one Bardstown family is looking back on 2015 and the heartache they continue to live with as they search for their missing daughter.

It was one of the best Christmas presents Tommy and Sherry Ballard could get after their daughter, Crystal Rogers, vanished without a trace in July.

A judge's order allowed them time with their three year-old grandson they hadn't seen in almost six months.

"We got on the floor and played with him and it was like he never left really," said Sherry Ballard, Crystal's mother.
 ::snipping3::
While Crystal's parents say with the new year they have new hope they'll find their daughter, there's isn't a day that goes by they don't think about her.

They even have signs posted outside their home to keep her memory alive in the community

"I won't quit until I find her," said Tommy. "I've said it from day one, who ever done it I'm not stopping until I find her."

In the meantime help is pouring in from as far as Florida to help bring Crystal home.

"The people who have the dogs in Florida are coming back up from Florida on Saturday," Tommy said. "We're going to spend two weeks searching."

A search they hope will help get them closer to finding crystal.

Thank goodness.  Little Eli should never have been separated from his brothers and sisters.  Hopefully this will help Crystal's parents to face the new year. 

 ::justice2nj2:: ::monkeyflag3::

I agree BlueMoon
I think this is a gradual process for the baby.

http://www.kystandard.com/content/filed-motion-questions-houck%E2%80%99s-flight-risk

Filed motion questions Houck’s flight risk

The parents of Crystal Rogers, a missing Bardstown woman, were recently granted visitation of Rogers’ son after nearly six months of limited to no contact with the toddler. But motions submitted by attorney Chad McCoy in the case regarding visitation question whether or not the boy’s father might be a flight risk.

The documents filed in the Nelson Circuit Court Dec. 28 include a motion for hearing on visitation and an order preventing Brooks Houck from leaving the state with his son, Eli.

Houck had not allowed Rogers’ family to have contact with the child since July, when Rogers was reported missing.

The motion alleged that since the last court hearing in September, the Ballards learned that Houck’s sister, who was reportedly providing child care for Eli, “has moved out of state and is no longer involved in the child’s life.”
 ::snipping3::
   The motion further claims that Brooks Houck has been “attempting to sell all of his real estate holdings below market value” and that “based upon these indicia, it appears that Respondent is preparing to flee the state with the child.”

Additionally, a motion was filed for an order to compel Houck to identify which phone numbers he has used since July 3, 2015, who the carrier for those phones is, and any other relevant information after he reportedly admitted under oath to having multiple phone numbers and accounts. The motion claims that Houck attempted to use text and phone messages from various accounts against the Ballards.
 ::snipping3::

 ::MonkeyGavel::

http://www.wlky.com/news/parents-of-crystal-rogers-file-motion-to-keep-boyfriend-from-leaving-state/37264936


Parents of Crystal Rogers file motion to keep boyfriend from leaving state
Man recently named as suspect in woman's disappearance

UPDATED 11:25 PM EST Jan 04, 2016



BARDSTOWN, Ky. —The parents of Crystal Rogers worry her boyfriend will flee the state with their grandson.
That is why Tommy and Sherry Ballard filed a motion asking a judge to order Brooks Houck to stay in Kentucky.

Houck was recently named a suspect in Rogers' disappearance but as of right now, he still has custody of the pair's 3-year-old son.

The Ballards told WLKY they have worried for some time about their youngest grandson.

But in court documents, they outline specific concerns that the boy's father could leave Kentucky with him.

"It kind of just makes us leery so we are trying to make it to where he cannot leave town," said Sherry Ballard.

Since Rogers' disappearance in early July, her mother has focused on two things.

She wants to find out what happened to her daughter and continue looking after Rogers' five children.

The four oldest children live with the Ballards. But the youngest is with his father Houck.
 ::snipping3::
"There is a slight risk that they are scared that Brooks may try to leave town. We are trying to avoid that where he has to stay here and not leave town at all," said Ballard.

The Ballards are also seeking more time with their grandson.

Right now, they visit him every other Saturday. But they said his siblings can't see him.

"I keep telling them it is coming. It is coming. It is coming and it keeps getting, you know, they are just kind of giving up on seeing him. They are like are we ever going to get to see him or not," said Ballard.

A judge will hear the newest motion on Wednesday.
 ::snipping3::

http://www.wdrb.com/story/30906858/man-accused-of-lying-to-grand-jury-in-crystal-rogers-case-appears-in-court

Man accused of lying to grand jury in Crystal Rogers case appears in court

Posted: Jan 07, 2016 7:26 AM EST
Updated: Jan 07, 2016 12:42 PM EST

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The man accused of perjury in the disappearance of a Nelson County woman was in court Thursday.

Police say Danny Singleton lied to a grand jury when he testified about Crystal Rogers' disappearance. Singleton appeared before a judge this morning, where a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.

Rogers' family says they're glad Singleton is in jail, and hope he provides information that leads to answers in her disappearance.

Singleton was given a public defender, who may not be his actual attorney in the long run. The attorney said she may have a conflict of interest, that she plans to disclose to the judge and the Commonwealth's Attorney.

Singleton worked for Brooks Houck, Rogers' longtime boyfriend and the only suspect in her disappearance last summer.

He was indicted in December on 38 counts of perjury.

Rogers' parents believe that Singleton has information in the case; they also say Crystal knew Singleton, and would sometimes give him rides home from work.

"I say if anybody knows something it would be him," said Rogers' father, Tommy Ballard. "He's worked for him for a long time. I feel like that's the only person he would trust."

"I hope he stays in jail," said Rogers' mother, Sherry Ballard. "I hope if he knows anything he comes forward and tells us that he does."

The public defender asked that Singleton's bond of $200,000 be lowered, but the Commonwealth objected, saying he is a flight risk.
 ::snipping3::

http://www.whas11.com/story/news/local/2016/01/11/bring-them-home-searches-crystal-rogers/78655350/

“Bring Them Home” searches for Crystal Rogers

Michaela MacDonald, @WHAS11Michaela 6:47 p.m. EST January 11, 2016

BLOOMFIELD, Ky. (WHAS11) -- From the warmest days of the summer, to one of the coldest days of the winter, the search for missing Bardstown mother Crystal Rogers is still going strong. Besides Rogers' family, some of the most dedicated searchers are from the Florida non-profit "Bring Them Home."

"She needs to be found she needs to come home," Tammy Finci, with Bring Them Home, said.

"Bring Them Home" is an organization dedicated to helping families find their missing loved ones. They say they also frequently work with law enforcement. They let us put a camera on Duke to see what he sees during the search.

On Jan. 11, the group searched a property in Bloomfield. Sunday, they searched in Boston. Both days they were battling the bitter cold, but with a shared hope of finding Rogers.

"We have built a very strong bond with them. When we are out searching we feel like we are searching for our own daughter and that's why we keep coming back because they have become our family and they need help," Finci said.

"If we didn't have them we couldn't do what we are doing," Tommy Ballard, Rogers’ father, said.

"We feel like they are giving us a little bit of hope," Sherry Ballard, Rogers’ mother, said.
 ::snipping3::

http://www.wave3.com/story/30902981/lead-suspect-in-crystal-rogers-disappearance-appears-in-court

Lead suspect in Crystal Rogers disappearance appears in court

Posted: Jan 06, 2016 6:09 PM EST
Updated: Jan 06, 2016 10:19 PM EST

NELSON COUNTY, KY (WAVE) – The lead suspect in the case of Crystal Rogers' disappearance stood before a judge Wednesday.
 
Brooks Houck, Crystal Rogers' boyfriend and father of her youngest child, appeared in court to respond to three motions filed by Rogers' parents.

On July 6, 2015, Rogers was reported missing. Brooks Houck is the last known person to have seen her on July 3, 2015.
 ::snipping3::
In December, both grandparents gained visitation rights through the court. However, this would only allow for Tommy and Sherry to visit Eli for four hours, excluding any other family members.
 
On Dec. 28, 2015 the Ballards filed three motions; 1. Seeking Brooks Houck's phone records, including all phone numbers and carriers he has used since July 3. 2. Changes to their petition to include non-custodial parental visitation. 3. A court order that would prevent Houck from leaving the state with the child until a further order from the court.
 
The Ballards believe Houck is preparing to leave Kentucky and have made claims that he is attempting to sell all of his real estate holdings below market value.

This allegation was denied by Houck's attorney, Philip George.
 
"We're not going anywhere, we have no plans to go anywhere," George said. "There is no reason for anyone to be alarmed."
 
However, George didn't deny that Houck is selling property, because he is in the real estate business as a source of income, according to George.
 
The Ballards do not believe George.

"What he is selling is about $12,000 under the price of what he could sell them for if he put them on the market," Tommy Ballard said.
 
"I can't speak about before, but from the time he's been with my daughter, I've not known him to sell real estate property, I've only known him to buy real estate property, so this is unusual," Sherry Ballard said.
 
The Ballards admit it's difficult to be around Houck, because he is the lead suspect in their daughter's disappearance.
 
"I've specifically told him ‘I think you did something to my daughter,’" Sherry Ballard said. "I made that very clear."
 ::snipping3::
 

http://www.whas11.com/story/news/local/community/2016/01/06/crystal-rogers-parents-boyfriend-back-court/78374894/

Just wanted to add the court date below.

 ::snipping3::

Houck's attorney says he is not selling property under market value, but he is in the real estate market for work. The Ballards and Houck will be back in court on January 29.

 ::snipping3::

http://www.wlky.com/news/2-men-charged-in-connection-with-disappearance-of-crystal-rogers/37552908


2 men charged in connection with disappearance of Crystal Rogers

Published  12:34 PM EST Jan 21, 2016

BARDSTOWN, Ky. —Police have charged two men in connection to the case of missing Bardstown mother Crystal Rogers.

Vincent Nethery and Donald Howard are both charged with falsely reporting an incident.

According to the sheriff's office, both men admitted they lied when they implicated Danny Singleton.

Singleton is charged with 38 counts of perjury and was scheduled to be in court Thursday morning.

He's a long-time employee and friend of Brooks Houck, who's been named a suspect in Rogers' disappearance.

http://www.wave3.com/story/31022992/investigators-men-gave-false-information-in-crystal-rogers-case


Investigators: Men gave false information in Crystal Rogers case

Posted: Jan 21, 2016 12:04 PM EST
Updated: Jan 21, 2016 12:24 PM EST

BARDSTOWN, KY (WAVE) - Two men have been charged for making false statements in the case of a Nelson County woman missing for more than six months.

The Nelson County Sheriff's Office filed charges of falsely reporting an incident against Vincent D. Nethery, 22, and Donald L. Howard, 27.

On December 29, the sheriff's office said both men lied to investigators about having information in the Crystal Rogers case. Deputies say Nethery and Howard each made statements that implicated Danny Singleton in the murder of Rogers. Singleton is an employee of Brooks Houck, the live-in boyfriend of Rogers.

Under further questioning, both Nethery and Howard admitted to having lied to investigators.
 ::snipping3::

http://nelsoncountygazette.com/?p=24544

Vincent Nethery

Man who led police on high-speed chase thru town indicted Wednesday

Thursday, March 19, 2015, 10 p.m. — The Bardstown man who led police on a high-speed chase through downtown Bardstown last month and ran several vehicles off the road in the process was indicted Wednesday by a Nelson County grand jury.

Vincent D. Nethery, 22, of Bardstown was indicted on charges of fleeing and evading police, first-degree; four counts of wanton endangerment, first-degree; seven counts of wanton endangerment, first-degree, police officer; first-degree criminal mischief; violation of a Kentucky domestic violence order; reckless driving; speeding, 26 mph or more over the limit; and three counts of disregarding a traffic control device.

On Feb. 8, Nethery alleged fled from police who tried to stop him after he was in a confrontation with a family member. The chase began on KY 245 at its intersection with Bloomfield Road, east to Springfield Road, and from there to the Court Square. Then Nethery drove north on North Third Street. Nethery lost control of his vehicle near Wetherby Avenue and it struck a utility pole and crashed.

The indictment states Nethery also endangered the lives of the seven officers involved in the pursuit.
 ::snipping3::

http://nelsoncountygazette.com/?p=21464


Jail Logs–March 14-21, 2014

Donald Lee Howard Jr., 26, parole violation (for felony offense).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1107563399276986&id=205164699516865

BARDSTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT
212 Nelson County Plaza
Bardstown, Ky. 40004
502-348-6811
Chief Rick McCubbin

PRESS RELEASE:

Investigation: Assault 2nd degree, unlawful imprisonment and possession of controlled substance.

Accused: Donald Lee Howard (27 ) Bardstown, Ky.

Location 136 Barberry Lane, Bardstown, Ky.

Case Officer: Detective Lynn Davis

On Monday, November 16 Bardstown Police arrested Donald Lee Howard following an assault altercation. Initially Police were dispatched to a disturbance call on November 11th where Donald Lee Howard had reportedly cut the arm of a 16 year old male juvenile he had been in an altercation with. The male juvenile was cut about the arm and required stitches. Donald Lee Howard fled from the scene prior to Police arrival.

That investigation led Police to locate Donald Lee Howard today at 136 Barberry Lane. During this portion of the investigation it was discovered that Donald Lee Howard had beaten a female at the residence and had he would not let her leave. The female adult victim had bite marks on her face, arm and body along with numerous injuries to her facial area. She was transported to Flaget hospital for treatment. Officers located suspected methamphetamine at the residence with Howard's belongings.

Donald Lee Howard was arrested and lodged in the Nelson County Jail after being charged with Assault 2nd degree (2 counts), unlawful imprisonment, possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and criminal trespass 2nd degree.

The investigation is continuing. If you have any information regarding this investigation please contact the Bardstown Police Department at 502-348-6811 or Nelson County Dispatch at 502-348-3211
November 16, 2015 at 7:53pm · Public

Sounds like someone is playing games with this case.  I just don't know if the police can crack this case.  They never were able to bring anyone to justice in the killing of the officer in that area before Crystal's disappearance.

Two unsavory characters.  Wonder who paid them to provide false information to the police or did they do it to maybe get lighter sentences?  Just doesn't make sense to me.  Meanwhile there are 5 children left without their mother and the father of the youngest one is their prime suspect.  Too much like Gregg Peterson case. Brooks reminds me of Peterson (JMO).

http://www.wlky.com/news/investigators-analyze-car-possibly-involved-in-crystal-rogers-disappearance/39869206
Car possibly involved in Crystal Rogers disappearance analyzed

UPDATED 5:44 AM EDT Jun 03, 2016

video

 ::snipping3::
Investigators said they are analyzing a car that they believe might have been involved in her disappearance.

Rogers has been missing for nearly a year. The newest information could be a big break in the case, but one person is refusing to talk, authorities said.

"We got tips at the very beginning that there was a white car that was involved. We could never pinpoint that car, but they did find that car," Rogers' mother, Sherry Ballard, said.
 ::snipping3::

Witnesses told investigators that the night Rogers disappeared, a white Buick was parked in a strange place at a farm owned by the mother of suspect Brooks Houck.

According to court documents, Houck's grandmother, Anna Whitesides, owned a white Buick at the time but later sold it.

"She gave two full statements to the police. She was the one who showed them where to get the car that was in question," Whitesides' attorney, Jason Floyd, said.

Whitesides was subpoenaed to appear before a Nelson County grand jury in May, but didn't appear because Floyd suggested that she invoke her Fifth Amendment rights.

"As an 82-year-old woman who has health and memory issues, we felt it was best she did not testify for the risk of incriminating herself with something she might say," Floyd said.

Ballard isn't happy with the decision.

"I know it's her grandson and I know you're going to try to protect your family, but do the right thing and come forward. I mean, I raised my kids that if you did something wrong, you're going to have to pay the penalty for that," Ballard said.

Houck has not been charged, but he has been named a suspect.

Police said Whitesides isn't a suspect, and her attorney said that just because she won't testify doesn't mean that she has anything to hide.
 ::snipping3::

I think this is roughly 45 miles from where Crystal went missing.

http://www.lex18.com/story/34405746/dog-finds-skull-in-shelby-co

More Remains Found After Dog Finds Skull In Shelby Co.
Posted: Feb 01, 2017 8:29 PM CST
Updated: Feb 03, 2017 2:11 PM CST

SHELBY COUNTY, Ky (LEX 18) Deputies in Shelby County say a human skull was found by a dog on Samples Lane.

They say around 5:05 p.m Wednesday, deputies got the call that a homeowner’s dog brought them a skull found intact. Deputies responded to the home and confirmed it to be a skull.

The Shelby County coroner now has possession of the skull. It is unclear at this time if the skull came from a nearby graveyard or elsewhere.

The skull was found in good condition, but was described as being ‘old in nature.’ The Shelby County sheriff told LEX 18 that by looking at the skull, it appears this person has been dead for at least one year, maybe several.

"It's quiet around here, and this is the last thing I expected to see. And there's only, I think, four of us on this road so not much happens back here, so yeah it took me by surprise," said the homeowner, Don Kircher.

The sheriff said they don't have any missing persons cases in Shelby County right now, but they are gathering information about missing people from surrounding counties.

On Friday, it was announced that they have found more remains. Deputies say this is going to be a long investigation.

 ::MonkeyTears::

http://www.wdrb.com/story/33750870/officers-investigating-after-father-of-missing-bardstown-mother-crystal-rogers-shot-and-killed-while-hunting

Officers investigating after father of missing Bardstown mother Crystal Rogers shot and killed while hunting
Posted: Nov 19, 2016 8:41 AM CST
Updated: Nov 21, 2016 3:14 AM CST

NELSON COUNTY, Ky. (WDRB) -- Tommy Ballard, the father of missing Bardstown mother Crystal Rogers was shot and killed Saturday morning.

Tommy's father Till Ballard said Tommy was shot in the chest around 8 a.m. while hunting with his son and 12-year-old grandson on the family's property along Ed Brent Lane near the Blue Grass Parkway.

"Tommy always said 'I'll spend my last dime trying to find Crystal.' I guess he's found her now," Till Ballard told WDRB News.

Trooper Jeff Gregory with Kentucky State Police said Tommy Ballard's death has been labeled a "death investigation."

"I don't know all the information as far as who a perpetrator or who would've fired the shot is," said Trooper Gregory. "I can only give out what I have and hopefully we'll have more to give you later on."

An autopsy was performed Sunday morning in Louisville. According to the Nelson County coroner, Ballard was shot in the chest and the bullet exited his back.

Tommy's daughter Crystal Rogers was last seen in July 2015. The 35-year-old mother of five's car was found abandoned on the side of the Bluegrass Parkway.

Since her disappearance, Crystal's parents have been involved in countless searches for her.

According to Till Ballard, his son was planning a large-scale, out-of-town search for next week.

When asked about a possible link between the disappearance of Crystal Rogers and the shooting death of Tommy Ballard, Trooper Gregory said it's "way too early" to say anything like that.

"I don't know all the information as far as a perpetrator, who would have fired the shot, but that will be something else were working on." said Trooper Gregory. "Just have faith. Say your prayers for this family. They've been through a lot."

http://www.wdrb.com/story/34076229/kentucky-state-police-quiet-on-tommy-ballard-death-investigation-but-confident-in-solving-case

Kentucky State Police quiet on Tommy Ballard death investigation, but confident in solving case
Posted: Dec 16, 2016 5:08 PM CST
Updated: Dec 16, 2016 5:25 PM CST
By Fallon Glick

NELSON COUNTY, Ky. (WDRB) – Was it murder or an accident? Weeks after Tommy Ballard's death, we got an update from Kentucky State Police.

KSP says its silence on the case does not mean they aren't working on it. Instead, they say they’ve been investigating it every day and still make visits to the crime scene.

On Nov. 19, Tommy Ballard was shot in the chest on family property before hunting with family. The shooter has yet to be identified.

“We've had several detectives who have been working on it every day and looking at different angles and checking on different information, tips that have come in,” Trooper Jeff Gregory told WDRB News.

The field where he was killed now sits in silence. It's a similar silence the Nelson County Community hears when it comes to the investigation. But contrary to public opinion, Trooper Gregory says KSP is working diligently behind the scenes.

“If we give our whole case away, what our evidence is, what our statements are from witnesses or anybody else that may have information -- when people do come forward to us and we don't know what they know -- if we haven't released anything, and they tell us stuff that's pertinent to the case, then we know that we're on to something,” Trooper Gregory said.

Much of that information includes the bullet casing, the gun used, the direction of the shot fired, the people who have been interviewed and much more.

Although the case is currently being called a death investigation, it isn’t set in stone.

“It doesn't mean we can't change that title later. It's still getting investigated like if it were a murder investigation or homicide investigation,” Trooper Gregory said.

Sherry Ballard, Tommy's wife, believes her husband's death was not an accident. She says the person responsible for killing Tommy is the same person behind the disappearance of their daughter, Crystal Rogers.

“I've felt from day one that someone watched him," she said Thursday. "He told several people that someone was following him."

Trooper Gregory says it could become a homicide case when results come back from different tests they're running. He says it's just a matter of time, and he's positive they will solve who shot Tommy Ballard.

“All I can tell you is we have some of the best investigators that I have ever worked with in my 20 years of law enforcement working on it,” he said. “I feel confident that we will be able to bring it to closure, and I just don't know when.”

Trooper Gregory adds hunting accidents are very uncommon. It's even more uncommon to be shot in the chest in a hunting accident.

If you have any information in this case you're asked to call Kentucky State Police at (270)-766-5078.

http://www.wdrb.com/story/34069635/sherry-ballard-says-her-husband-was-being-followed-leading-up-to-his-death

Sherry Ballard says her husband was being followed leading up to his death
Posted: Dec 15, 2016 10:07 PM CST
Updated: Dec 15, 2016 10:07 PM CST
By Fallon Glick

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WDRB) – Tommy Ballard, the father of missing Bardstown woman Crystal Rogers, was shot and killed nearly a month ago, and for the first time, his family is breaking its silence.

They say in the weeks leading up to his death, Tommy Ballard told his wife he was being followed, and that's part of the reason why his family thinks his death was no accident.

Sherry Ballard, Tommy’s wife, believes the person involved in their daughter's disappearance is also responsible for killing her husband.

“He's everywhere. I can't look at anything and not see him,” Sherry Ballard told WDRB News.

On the morning of Nov. 19, Tommy Ballard was shot in the chest and killed. He and his grandson were up early before the sun to go hunting.

“I told God to watch over them while they were in the woods,” she said.

Then about 30 minutes later came a phone call from their 11-year-old son.

“And he's hysterical and says Papaw’s been shot," Sherry recalled. "I heard it, but I didn't hear it."

In a frantic rush to the scene, calls were made to 911 and other family members.

“There was a police officer down the hill with his lights on, and I could see my husband lying on the ground,” she said.

Kentucky State Police have not said much on the case, simply calling it a death investigation.

Tommy Ballard was shot on family property. His son Casey, who heard the shot that killed his father, was in a different field on the same property. He says he’s never seen any other hunters trespassing on their land.

Weeks later, the same scene has an eerie silence with traffic going by in the background from the Bluegrass Parkway. A cross has been erected in Tommy's honor.

“I don't think my husband's death was accident," Sherry Ballard said. "I'll never think it was."

Without a doubt, the Ballard family believes Tommy's death has something to do with the disappearance of his daughter, Crystal Rogers.

“I think someone wanted my husband out of the way, because we were getting close to Crystal, and they knew he was the driving force behind her,” she said.

Tommy orchestrated search after search to find his daughter and the mother of his five grandchildren since July of 2015. His death has been hard on Crystal's children.

“She said Mamaw, I thought Papaw was going to bring my mom home ... and it broke my heart. What do you tell her?” Sherry said of a conversation she had with her granddaughter.

While the plan for Sherry and Tommy Ballard was to find their daughter and put her to rest together, Sherry now hopes for something different.

“I said maybe he'll lead me to her some way or another,” Sherry said.

And she prays justice for her husband and daughter will come soon.

“I mean I've waited 17 months for Crystal," she said. "It's not easy waiting, and I hope I don't have to for Tommy."

Meanwhile, KSP is still wanting to speak with any drivers -- especially truck drivers with dash cams --  who might have witnessed a suspicious person or car between mile markers 21 and 25 on the Bluegrass Parkway from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19.

As for the investigation into Crystal Rogers, the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office has name Rogers’ former boyfriend the main suspect in her disappearance.

He has not been charged with a crime.

Long time no see monkeys  ::MonkeyAngel::

I've been following the case. Sadly, of course, she is likely dead at the hands of the boyfriend. How many time do we have to hear this same tragic story?

I'm guessing based on the image of the skull that it belongs to a male (brow ridge). But I'm no expert and we will see. Crystal needs to be brought home and her killer and his accomplice(s) in jail!

http://www.wdrb.com/story/35005476/today-at-4-pm-are-the-murders-of-ofc-jason-ellis-and-crystal-rogers-connected

TODAY AT 4: Is the murder of Ofc. Jason Ellis connected to Crystal Rogers' disappearance
Posted: Mar 27, 2017 12:02 PM CDT
Updated: Mar 27, 2017 2:53 PM CDT
 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A police officer is killed by a sniper -- and a mother vanishes. Months later, her father is shot and killed.

Could there be a connection among Nelson County's most infamous cases?

"I think Jason Ellis' was ... just for the fact of what kind of police officer he was," said Sherry Ballard, mother of Crystal Rogers. "I think deep down, my daughter overheard something she shouldn't have."

For the first time, we're hearing what the victims' family thinks happened in the unsolved crimes.

Only on WDRB, we get answers from Kentucky State Police. The story airs today at 4 p.m.

http://www.lex18.com/story/36003448/woman-accused-of-stealing-missing-person-signs

Woman Accused of Stealing Missing Person Signs
Posted: Jul 30, 2017 5:46 AM CDT
Updated: Jul 30, 2017 5:46 AM CDT

(http://wlex.images.worldnow.com/images/14514824_G.jpg)
 

NELSON COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18)-- A woman has been arrested for stealing signs related to the disappearance of Crystal Rogers.

The Nelson County Sheriff's Office arrested Crystal Dawn Maupin on Saturday.

She is charged with theft by unlawful taking.

Maupin is the girlfriend of Brooks Houck, the former boyfriend of Rogers and father of her youngest child.

Rogers was last seen July 3, 2015.

Her former boyfriend is believed to be the last person who saw her.

Maupin was booked into the Nelson County Jail but bonded out about 30 minutes later.

As of now it's a mystery what happened to the missing signs.

A "Justice for Dylan" banner that hung near Mark Redwine's home in Vallecito since 2013 was cut down and taken last fall.
The banner was taken while Mark Redwine and his girlfriend were in town for a hearing where Mark was suing Dylan's mother, Elaine for $50,000.
He lost, the suit was thrown out of court.  And the banner was stolen.
Ram signs donated another sign and it was replaced promptly.
Now Mark Redwine is finally in jail where he belongs, charged with Dylan's murder.
Let's hope the same comes soon in this case.

Justice for Crystal!   ::justice2nj2::

https://www.whas11.com/article/news/local/bardstown-crystal-rogers-human-remains-nelson-county-kentucky/417-3b1fa099-fd58-4f4e-b4f1-91dcb82f972c

Missing Bardstown woman's family notified after human remains found in Nelson County
Sources close to the Crystal Rogers case said it was a location near where she was last seen five years ago.

Author: Shay McAlister, CJ Daniels
Published: 6:21 PM EDT July 26, 2020
Updated: 6:47 PM EDT July 26, 2020

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — WHAS11 News has learned the family of missing Bardstown woman Crystal Rogers has been notified after possible human remains were discovered near Nelson County.

According to police, the discovery was near the border of Nelson and Washington County.

Sources close to the case said it is a location near where Rogers was last seen alive in July 2015.

Police say they became aware of the remains on Thursday and called in the FBI’s Evidence Response Team on Friday due to the “difficult to reach location.”

The remains were sent to the FBI’s lab in Quantico, Virginia for testing.

Rogers, a mother of five, was last seen at her boyfriend Brooks Houck’s family farm.

Houck told police when they went to bed she was there and when he woke up, she was gone.

Months after the disappearance, the Nelson County Sheriff’s Department named Houck as the main suspect in the case, but he has never been charged.

Officials said they will not be commenting any further until they receive results from the lab.

 ::snipping3::

Hi Texasmom.  So glad you posted this.  I have followed this case for the last 5 years and it would be so great if her family finally gets the closure they deserve.  It is a lot like Natalee's case-you know they are dead but there is never really closure until you find their remains.

Hope you are doing good.  You are so dedicated to Natalee. I know Beth would be so proud of you.

Have you seen this documentary on Crystal?  https://www.oxygen.com/the-disappearance-of-crystal-rogers

I am afraid this will be someone else.  There are so many missing people in that area.  I would never drive through on the Parkway by myself.  The whole Parkway is desolate and creepy. Other than Bardstown that really isn't much in the way of populated areas.

I will keep my fingers crossed that his is it.  Found it odd that they found these bones Friday but they couldn't reach them and called in Federal help to retrieve them.  Sounds like someone directed police to the location.  Maybe Houck?

Hi Blue Moon!  ::HelloKitty::

I didn't watch the Oxygen show on Crystal, it was tempting...but after they did the number on Natalee's story, I don't even give them a chance anymore.  That one put me over the edge, I still see comments about it on fb, people think that crap was true, makes me so mad!  ::MonkeyWaa:: ::MonkeyMad::  Thank you for the compliment, Natalee is in my heart, and always will be. ::MonkeyHeart:: 

I've been thinking the same about this find, that it's probably someone else; but we can still hope.  If it's not her at least maybe a family will get answers they need and that's better than not knowing.

The location appears to be near the Houck family farm.  So it does probably point to it being her.  I had read early on that she was burned in a big fire he started on his farm right after she went missing.  I also read that Houck fed her to his pigs.  That is just to awful to think about.  Wonder what was on that farm that made it that hard to get to the remains.

 ::justice2nj2:: ::justice2nj2::

I think I figured out why the police had to call in the FBI to retrieve the body.  Crystall was last seen at her home on Paschal-Ballard Road (right off Balltown Road).  Houck's farm is at the intersection of Loretta Road and Balltown Road. They found the bones about 5 miles from Houck's farm.  The only body of water close by would be Monk's Creek.  It is about 5 miles due west of Houck's. Monk's creek is private monastery land belonging to Abbey of Gethsemani - Trappist, Kentucky.  I would say the police could not go on that private land so they called in the FBI to go on that land.  Maybe a monk found the body. I just could not understand why the police couldn't retrieve the body but the FBI could.  (all JMO).

***I WAS WRONG ON THIS. THE CREEK WAS TO THE NORTH EAST****

We went to this monastery about a year ago.  They make fruitcake (soaked in KY boubon), fudge and lots of other sweets.  It is so good, yes even the fruit cake is delicious. We were going to tour the grounds but there was a sign at the entrance that you had to maintain complete and total silence and my husband said "let's go, no way you can do that for the entire tour".  ::MonkeyHaHa:: ::MonkeyHaHa:: ::MonkeyHaHa::

"FBI searching three properties in Crystal Rogers investigation
One home being searched is owned by Rogers' ex-boyfriend who police have named a suspect in her disappearance."

"(WBKO)
By WKYT News Staff
Published: Aug. 6, 2020 at 6:05 AM CDT|Updated: 5 hours ago

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WKYT) - The FBI has announced it is now the lead investigative agency on the Crystal Rogers case.

The organization made the announcement early Thursday morning.

A spokesperson for the agency told WKYT that investigators searched three properties early Thursday morning.

Those properties belong to Rogers’ ex-boyfriend and suspect in her disappearance, Brooks Houck, his brother and former Bardstown Police Officer Nick Houck, and their mother, Rosemary Houck.

In a release, FBI Louisville says it is working closely with several federal, state, and local agencies including the IRS, Kentucky State Police, and the United States Attorney’s Office..........................
(https://www.wkyt.com/2020/08/06/fbi-louisville-now-in-charge-of-crystal-rogers-investigation/)

Don't know what to make of this.  Is the FBI taking over because the remains are hers or are they taking over because the remains are not hers?  Weird.  Hope answers are coming soon for her 5 kids and her mother.

Video footage here from where the remains were found, they say it has eroded a lot over the years.  ::MonkeyShocked::

https://twitter.com/i/status/1291770991618785280

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvNvD2zirk8

Second day of searching in connection to Crystal Rogers
Published Aug 7, 2020

Exactly!  I'm leaning toward thinking it is her, but the next minute I don't know!  The FBI taking over is encouraging to me, I hope this is resolved soon too!  Her poor babies.  ::MonkeyTears::

http://crystalrogerstaskforce.com/about/

About Crystal
Crystal Marie Rogers grew up in Bardstown and was the mother of five children. According to those who knew her, Crystal loved being a mother and was a caring person who would help friends when they were in need.


On July 5, 2015, Crystal’s mother reported her missing after Crystal had not been seen or heard from since the evening of July 3, 2015. The same day Crystal was reported missing, her car was found abandoned with a flat tire at mile marker 14 on the Bluegrass Parkway. Crystal’s keys, phone, and purse were still inside her red Chevrolet Impala. Sadly, while most families were enjoying the Fourth of July celebrations over that weekend, Crystal’s family was instead left wondering as to her whereabouts.


http://crystalrogerstaskforce.com/

Why this community misses Crystal:

“There's so much I could say about Crystal. She was fun, caring, happy, humble, beautiful..... I could go on and on. She was the best friend anyone could ever have. Anytime I needed her she would drop everything. It did not matter. There was a time we were joined at the hip. Where one of us was you'd always find the other. As we got older and had families of our own we didn’t get to spend much time together, but always picked up right back where we left off. She was a great Mom. One of the best. Her kids were always her priority no matter what, and she always treated my girls like they were her own as well. She would always be willing to help someone. She would give her shirt off her back if needed and never ask for anything in return. She was blunt and not scared to tell you how it was. Sometimes I did not like it, but it was what I needed to hear. She always had my best interest at heart. She meant the world to me and always will. I will always cherish what we had in our friendship. I am a better person for having had her in my life. There will never be another Crystal as she was one of a kind.” -Beth Downs.

“My mom is a very special women. The memory that will forever be in my heart is going to DQ and buying my momma lunch. We would always get the chicken strip basket with the toast and gravy to go with it. Going over to mamaw Martins and playing phase 10 and aggravation over and over while eating snacks. Since my mom’s been missing, life has been really hard. I always wonder what my life would be like if she and my papaw was still here.” – K. Daughter of Crystal

I'll have to look for the article on the location.  They made it sound like the bones had been buried on the banks of that creek in the last couple of years.  If it is Crystal then someone got scared and moved the remains. JMO

I don't think it is her remains.  There are a couple missing people in adjourning counties that it could be them also.  I can only surmise that the FBI has identified the remains as Crystal or they cannot identify them at all. JMO

I watched her daughter speak of her mother. It is so sad for those children.  And the grandmother had the youngest son removed from her visiting with him because Houck said the grandmother was causing problems with the little boy.  Said he would come home and ask his father what he did to his mother.  So sad for the grandmother-lost her daughter, lost her husband, now has lost her grandson. 

Did you see the hole they found the remains in?  Almost looks like an oven.  ::MonkeyTears:: ::MonkeyTears::

This family has really endured the unthinkable not once but 3 times:

unsolved
Crystal Rogers not first woman in her family to go missing

Forty years ago, Tommy Ballard's pregnant sister, Sherry Ballard Barnes, was murdered by her husband and his friend.



Sherry Ballard Barnes

"They say time heals everything, but it don't," Till Ballard said. "Unless it happens to you—you know you get up with it in the morning and you go to...bed with it. It's never...never off in my mind."

Till Ballard has endured hardships only so many can understand: his son was killed in front of his great-grandson, his granddaughter is still considered a missing case and 40 years ago his pregnant daughter was murdered.

Sherry Ballard Barnes was only 19 when she never returned from running errands.................

https://www.whas11.com/article/news/crime/unsolved/crystal-rogers-ballard-family-missing/417-d7a42522-0336-40c3-9772-39b9b2029c7d

Maybe getting a little closer to identifying the remains:

"FBI gives new details on Nelson County human remains, waiting on DNA"

 ::snipping3::
The remains were found close to where Crystal Rogers, the only reported missing person in Nelson County, was last seen alive.

BARDSTOWN, Ky. — A forensic anthropologist has completed a review of human remains found in Nelson County nearly one month ago, the FBI confirmed to WHAS11.

The review gives new details on the remains found near the border of Washington County, close to where Crystal Rogers was last seen alive in July 2015.

According to the report, the remains likely belong to a female estimated between 24 and 82 years old, with height between 62.6 and 70.9 inches. The FBI said it is still waiting for DNA analysis to positively identify the person........................................

https://www.whas11.com/article/news/investigations/bardstown/crystal-rogers-nelson-county-investigation-fbi-human-remains/417-8a41fc5a-4b50-4375-9977-4d630fba81a5

Just strange.  Nothing new since this was 1st reported.  Nothing on who the remains belong to.  FBI took it over but nothing, nothing, nothing.  I don't believe this family will ever see justice.  So sad for them.

 ::justice2nj2::
 ::MonkeyTears:: ::MonkeyTears:: ::MonkeyTears::

 ::MonkeyTears:: ::MonkeyTears:: ::MonkeyTears:: ::MonkeyTears::

I thought this was how it would turn out.  Took way too long to identify the remains (which they did not identify who they belong to).

https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/crime/article247326239.html
 ::snipping3::

"Remains found last summer didn’t belong to missing Kentucky mom Crystal Rogers"
By Karla Ward

Human remains that were found in Central Kentucky last summer were not those of Crystal Rogers, a mother of five who has been missing from Bardstown for five years....................................................................

Holy crap this is small on a
phone...i need my lap top😲😣

https://www.wlky.com/article/fbi-searching-bardstown-subdivision-in-connection-with-crystal-rogers-case/37383491

FBI searches 3 properties owned by Crystal Rogers' former boyfriend

WLKY Updated: 11:17 PM EDT Aug 24, 2021

BARDSTOWN, Ky. —

The FBI was back in Bardstown to once again looks for answers in the disappearance of Crystal Rogers, and this time, they're targeting three locations -- all of which belong to her former boyfriend.

FBI Louisville tweeted around 8 a.m. Tuesday saying their team would be conducting several searches in a Bardstown subdivision called Woodlawn Springs.

The tweet said this search comes from information collected over the last year during a federal investigation, which started almost exactly a year ago.

Rogers, 35, was reported missing by her mother several years ago. She hasn't been heard from since July 3, 2015. Two days later, her car was found abandoned with a flat tire on the Bluegrass Parkway with her keys, phone and purse still inside.

Since the mother of five disappeared, the only suspect ever named has been her boyfriend at the time, Brooks Houck, with whom she shares a child. He has never been charged.

But on Tuesday, three of Houck's properties were thoroughly investigated and WLKY observed excavation efforts. The Nelson County Sheriff's Office said those living at the properties being searched on Tuesday are not considered suspects.

WLKY observed investigators with shovels and cadaver dogs. The efforts continued into the evening hours Tuesday, but no other details were shared.

In all, the teams spent close to 14 hours searching the properties.

Sherry Ballard, Crystal's mother, said she and her late husband targeted that area early on. She said the homes were being built around the time Rogers went missing.

Ballard said back then, a cadaver dog hit on a mound of dirt.

"But we didn't find anything. We just assumed, sometimes they'll hit on certain tree roots, stuff like that, so we just assumed maybe it was something like that," Ballard said.

In August 2020, the case gained momentum again when more than 150 state and federal law enforcement officers were deployed to Bardstown to start their investigation. The first day, they executed at least nine federal search warrants and conducted more than 50 interviews.

One of the searches was at Houck's home. They also searched his brother's home and family farm.

Agents say the information collected since then led them to the Woodlawn Subdivision. It's unclear if investigators will be back on Wednesday.

https://www.facebook.com/RiseDreamInspire/posts/150026177276892

My Blue Phoenix LLC
3hr
Day 2 of this portion of the FBI search for #crystalrogers. All I can gather from these pictures is that based on what they are doing, the find must’ve been significant.

https://www.facebook.com/eric.sowards.9/posts/10159611389852953

Eric Sowards
2hr·
They're digging under the driveway

Video at link:

https://www.facebook.com/shaymcalisterTV/posts/332297461913835

Shay McAlister
1hr
Day #2 midday update from the FBI search in connection to Crystal Rogers… we were escorted back to the search site for about 5 minutes. We could see special agents digging near a driveway on the same property they were working on yesterday. It appears all focus is on this one spot. While we were back at the site, a mobile command center was brought in for FBI use (that’s the red trailer).

Crystal's dad had searched this area in 2015, cadaver dog hit on mound of dirt, but they didn't find anything.
Praying for answers for this family!  Justice for Crystal!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC9SXJsJQf8

WLKY News Louisville

FBI searches 3 properties owned by Crystal Rogers' former boyfriend

They had a hit early on in this same location as they are digging. Crystal's father was with them but for some reason after getting that hit from the dogs nothing ever came of it and it wasn't searched.  So sad for Crystal's kids. So sad that her father was murdered and nothing has become of that case.  A state trooper was murdered at the exit of the Bluegrass Parkway. Nothing has ever become of that case. Strange happenings in that area. I know the area that Bardstown is in is very creepy.  I was suppose to drive to Bardstown one day after work for training and I refused to do it because it is so isolated on that parkway and just plain creepy. I was scared to drive it alone.

 ::snipping3::

https://www.wbko.com/2021/08/27/crystal-rogers-fbi-agents-discover-item-interest-bardstown-dig/

The FBI’s Louisville office announced Friday that it has discovered an “item of interest” on its fourth day of digging in a Nelson County subdivision.(WAVE 3 News)
By John P. Wise, Phylicia Ashley and Tori Gessner
Published: Aug. 27, 2021 at 10:11 AM CDT|Updated: 15 hours ago

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WAVE) - The FBI’s Louisville office announced Friday that it has discovered an “item of interest” on its fourth day of digging in a Nelson County subdivision.

Agents returned to the Woodlawn Springs neighborhood in Bardstown as they continue to search for clues in the case of missing mother Crystal Rogers.

The FBI didn’t elaborate on the specifics of the discovery, but said the item “is being further evaluated.”

The Nelson County Sheriff’s Department has been assisting the FBI by securing the entrance of the properties. Sheriff Ramon Pineriroa said his deputies have been standing in 90-degree heat for at least 12 hours a day the last few days...........................................................................

Good decision, Blue Moon!  ::HelloKitty:: Always trust your gut in these things.  I wouldn't go there alone either. 

Praying this time the family will finally get answers and hopefully bring Crystal home for a proper burial.  ::MonkeyAngel::

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sS_m1h4mYm0

Nelson County sheriff sheds light on Crystal Rogers search
Aug 29, 2021

WHAS11

Nelson County Sheriff Ramon Pineiroa explains why the search site in the Crystal Rogers investigation is under 24-hour surveillance.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9NNkr-7qj4

Emotions run high as Crystal Rogers search continues
Aug 29, 2021

WHAS11

The FBI offering $25,000 in exchange for information leading to a conviction in the Crystal Rogers case as the sun sets on the search for a sixth day.

https://www.facebook.com/shaymcalisterTV/posts/334535218356726

Shay McAlister
  ·
🚨NEW FROM FBI🚨Agency now offering $25,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of individuals responsible for the disappearance of Crystal Rogers. They say they have received a “flood of tips.”

 ::dogwag::

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd5Gqqsf8gM

FBI: Multiple items of interest uncovered in connection with Crystal Rogers case
Aug 30, 2021

WHAS11

Officials said on Monday they items are "potentially relevant" to the investigation into the disappearance of Rogers. The items have been sent to a lab for testing.


https://twitter.com/FBILouisville/status/1432450785267310598

FBI Louisville
@FBILouisville
·
4h
.
@Nelson_Sheriff

Hoping this is the break they need in Crystal's case.  Early on it was reported that Houck and his brother had a big fire right after Crystal disappeared.  Word was (personally I didn't believe it) they had tried to burn her body and when it didn't they moved to the subdivision which was being built at the time. Who know's. Could be, could not be.   ::justice2nj2::

I hope so too, Blue Moon!  I remember the fire talk, and was thinking they'd even recovered some evidence that she may have been in it, but wasn't sure!  I didn't recall the moving to the subdivision part but I'm not surprised I've forgotten, it's been so long...  Praying for answers and Justice for Crystal!

Be sure to go read the whole article, it's a good one.

https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/crime/article253891173.html

They wait with tears, fears. KY family hopes this FBI search unearths Crystal Rogers
BY JEREMY CHISENHALL
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 01, 2021 05:18 PM

BY JEREMY CHISENHALL

Tears welled up in Crystal Rogers’ grandfather’s eyes as he stood around the corner from a team of FBI agents who searched a property this week for evidence in Rogers’ disappearance.

Rogers has been missing more than six years. She is presumed dead. Years of investigation from the Nelson County sheriff’s office, Kentucky State Police and, more recently, the FBI have yet to result in arrests or finding her remains. Her family, including her grandfather, Till Ballard, and her mother, Sherry Ballard, at least wants to know what happened to her.

“From day one, I never thought my daughter was coming home,” Ballard said. “Never. I just knew she wasn’t. The day I reported her missing, I knew that minute that something bad was wrong.”

Family members hoped they would get answers when the FBI started a new search for evidence in her case. Investigators showed up in the Woodlawn Springs subdivision in Bardstown on Aug. 24 and began looking for “any evidence” they could find.

They focused on multiple houses before they eventually dug up a front yard and driveway at one property on North Howard Street. Large trucks were seen hauling dirt and mud away day after day. A security checkpoint was set up on Freeman Avenue, the only way to access North and South Howard streets, which are both dead-end roads.

Residents on North and South Howard streets had to go through the checkpoint to get to their homes. The checkpoint was staffed around the clock by the Nelson County sheriff’s office during the day and by Kentucky State Police at night. Curious passersby frequently tried to stop for a peek in the early days of the search and were turned away.

After a week, the only people going through the checkpoint were local residents and members of the community who wanted to show their support for investigators. It wasn’t uncommon for someone to stop by during the day with sandwiches, Gatorade and other offerings for Nelson County sheriff’s deputies and FBI investigators.

Till and his wife, Betty Ballard, sat outside the checkpoint for hours every day. They couldn’t see what investigators were doing. But the two still showed up daily, staying well into the evening and waving at workers as they drove excavators, trucks full of dirt and evidence trailers in and out of the otherwise quiet Kentucky neighborhood.

The FBI returned to the subdivision every day before suspending the search on Monday due to bad weather. The agency planned to resume the search once the weather improved. Multiple “items of interest” potentially relevant to Rogers’ disappearance have been found and are being analyzed, the FBI said Monday without providing details.

 ::snipping3::

 ::MonkeyEek:: ::MonkeyShocked::

https://www.facebook.com/shaymcalisterTV/posts/341284761015105

Shay McAlister is in Bardstown, Kentucky.
4hr  ·
Wow… this is our first look at the property since the FBI officially concluded the search for clues leading to Crystal Rogers. The entire driveway and front yard has been dug up. Now the investigation continues in Quantico, VA, where multiple items of interest undergo testing.

https://www.lex18.com/news/fbit-concludes-recent-search-in-crystal-rogers-case-after-uncovering-multiple-items-of-interest

FBI concludes recent search in Crystal Rogers case after uncovering 'multiple items of interest'
By: Web Staff
Posted at 3:55 PM, Sep 07, 2021 and last updated 3:08 PM, Sep 07, 2021

(LEX 18) — Tuesday afternoon Louisville FBI released a statement announcing the conclusion of its search related to the disappearance of Crystal Rogers.

.@Nelson_Sheriff @kystatepolice pic.twitter.com/BypJlogrUr

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-tLCWiXIAwyPza?format=jpg&name=small)

— FBI Louisville (@FBILouisville) September 7, 2021

At the end of August, Louisville FBI shared on its Twitter account that "multiple items of interest" have been found connected to Rogers' case.

The items have been sent to the FBI laboratory in Quantico, VA for further forensic analysis.

 ::snipping3::

WOW. Dug right up to the basement.  Early on it was said that concrete had been laid for the basement around the time of Crystal's disappearance.  They really dig a lot.  Wonder what they found that is of importance to this case?  I would say someone is sweating quite a bit tonight.  jmo

"Sent to Quantico"-- that will take quite a long time. (jmo)  I sure hope they are not bluffing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt8WEKHPgwM

FBI could be close to charging someone in Crystal Roger's case, mother believes
Aug 26, 2022  Sherry Ballard believes the FBI is nearing the end of their investigation into her daughter Crystal Rogers's death.

If they can find what happened to Crystal then they will probably be able to solve Crystal's fathers death also. Personally I don't think any of the strange killings in and around Bardstown will be solved.  People in small towns know how to keep their mouths shut. jmo

Maybe this is the justice we have waited for for Crystal Rogers and hopefully for her father also:

 "Boyfriend indicted on murder, tampering with evidence charges in 8-year-old case of missing Kentucky mom Crystal Rogers"
Dakin Andone Melissa Alonso David Williams
By Dakin Andone, Melissa Alonso and David Williams, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 12:35 PM EDT, Wed September 27, 2023

 ::snipping3::

https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/27/us/crystal-rogers-kentucky-disappearance-case-arrest/index.html

 ::monkeyflag3:: ::MonkeyGavel::

I hope so, Blue Moon!  I was so excited to FINALLY see Brooks Houck arrested and charged in this case!  Praying for Justice for Crystal, and her precious dad who wouldn't give up!  ::MonkeyGavel:: ::justice2nj2:: ::monkeyflag3::

Appears they have arrested a father and son as accomplishes to Crystals murder

https://www.whas11.com/article/news/investigations/bardstown/crystal-rogers-disappearance-murder-arrest-steve-lawson/417-d8994c64-04d4-4e18-876d-12ff4c179a0f

 ::snipping3::
"Third man arrested in Crystal Rogers' death investigation; What we know
Steven Lawson is charged with conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence. "

Nothing said about Crystal's fathers death and if they were all involved in that murder also.

 ::HelloKitty::  ::justice2nj2::

 ::HelloKitty::  I'm wondering if Brooks' brother will be the next arrest.  ::justice2nj2::

https://www.whas11.com/article/news/investigations/bardstown/crystal-rogers-tommy-ballard-sherry-ballard-bardstown-unsolved-murders-brooks-houck-nick-police-fbi/417-5ec17171-4e27-46d0-8a6b-52438ad2498b

‘It’s what I've always believed’; Sherry Ballard reacts to the bombshells dropped in court, who might be responsible for killing her husband
For the first time, Sherry Ballard is speaking on camera since major bombshells were dropped in court regarding the deaths of Crystal Rogers and Tommy Ballard.

Author: Shay McAlister
Published: 4:09 PM EST November 15, 2023
Updated: 6:46 PM EST November 15, 2023

 ::snipping3::

Though Tommy Ballard's case remains unsolved, there have been major developments in recent months.

During an October court hearing for Brooks Houck, Special Prosecutor Shane Young announced they are investigating the murder of Tommy Ballard and waiting for test results on a firearm they believe was used to murder Tommy Ballard.

"A firearm that we purchased from Nicholas Houck," Young said.

Ballard was in the front row of the courtroom when that bombshell was dropped. Her eyes welled with tears, hearing her husband’s name.

She said she was surprised that it came out in the courtroom when it did.

“Totally. Totally surprised. Totally," she said, but she wasn’t surprised by what prosecutors said. "It’s what I've always believed. I've said that from day one. I've never ever changed my mind on that. Ever."

Heading in the right direction
For 16 months after his daughter disappeared, Tommy Ballard led search parties, collected boxes of evidence, and mapped out possible scenarios of what could have happened to her.

He was so determined, Sherry believes someone killed him to shut him down.

"I think he would not have given up. He would not have given up, and certain people knew he would not give up,” she explained.

Ballard said she’s been suspicious of the man linked to her daughter's disappearance since the very beginning.

Nick Houck was fired from the Bardstown Police Department just months after Crystal Rogers was reported missing. The police chief accused him of interfering with the investigation and failing a polygraph. In a 2015 police interview Nick denied any connection to Rogers’ disappearance.

"Listen, I'll tell you, I had nothing to do with it,” Houck said to a detective.

Now, all eyes are on the firearm tests currently underway, according to Special Prosecutor Shane Young. He said four out five tests are already a match. Ballard said he has more confidence this year that she has had in previous years.

In a statement, Kentucky State Police spokesperson Scotty Sharp said the agency continues to work diligently on Tommy Ballard's case.

 ::snipping3::

They interviewed Tommy's father (Crystals grandfather) the other day on the local news and he was so pitiful.  He broke down and cried. He says he knows exactly what happened and there are at least 3 more people that needs to be arrested. Bardstown has several unsolved murders. Crystal's aunt disappeared a long time ago and I believe they never found her body. Some very bad people in that town.  ::MonkeyTears:: ::MonkeyTears::

 ::MonkeyTears::