Rogers family members said Houck didnt help them try to search for her. Tears welled up in Crystal Rogers grandfathers eyes as he stood around the corner from a team of FBI agents who searched a property this week for evidence in Rogers disappearance. Crystal Rogers disappeared on July 3, 2015 and weeks later McAlister would begin to cover the case. On May252013, Officer Jason Ellis waskilledafter finishing his shift for the Bardstown, Kentucky Police Department. "The memory that will forever be in my heart is going to DQ and buying my momma lunch. Eventually, Nick was fired for interfering with the investigation. According to the show, Crystal mentioned to her friends about having a date night with Brooks, and after dinner, they drove to Brooks family farm in the area. Very nervous.. Thats the way Tommy was. You just dont go to bed one night and not know shes gone and then not worry when she left the baby.. Weve searched the rivers, weve searched farms, houses, sinkholes, wells, any place she might be, family member Sammy Johnson said. In the days after Crystal vanished, searches conducted by the authorities with the help of volunteers and family didnt turn up anything. She is presumed dead. Then we got the unexpected call that they had arrested someone. Beast Files Police officer Jason Ellis was gunned down in cold blood on a lonely stretch of highway. Rogers has been missing more than six years. @Nelson_Sheriff pic.twitter.com/ghzbYqZ6Mp. She also spoke about the day that her mother went missing: I was calling and texting and she wasnt answering, she said. Kathy Netherland, 48, and her daughter, Samantha, 16, were killed inside their home on April 21, 2014. Fort Valley State University student Missing Where is Anitra Gunn? 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. It's been just over seven years and there are still no answers in the murder of Ellis, leaving his friends, family and members of multiple communities confused, saddened and angry. Police offered $200,000 in reward money and made a video asking for the publics help. Her mother reported her missing July 5 after she . One year ago in the middle of recording the Bardstown podcast, McAlister lost her partner. She said people began to tell her that things might be connected, that this might be a series of crimes. He also volunteered to finish contracting work for a woman whose workers failed to finish the job after she already paid them. The skeletal remains were discovered Thursday evening, and investigators called in an FBI team to help with recovery and identification. A Dead Cop Was The First Unsolved Murder. KSP still believes the person or persons inside a black Chevrolet Impala seen traveling north on U.S. 150 from Botland into Bardstown on the night of the murders knew of something or had something to do with the murders of the Netherlands. An official website of the United States government. Did you make him suffer? Unseld said. Moving into 2016, things slowed down in Crystals case but there were some interesting things that happened. Officer Ellis was discovered by a passing motorist. It was women from a million different parts of her life who came together and held her up, McAlister said. Nick later told the Kentucky State Police that he only contacted his brother to tell him that they might be trying to trip him up and he should protect himself. Nick then failed a polygraph test conducted by an examiner from the FBI when questioned about the case. She had a huge heart, Sherry Ballard said. Sherry Bradley said she drove six hours from Highland, Mich.,. She was an excellent mother, Ballard said. But one thing is for sure: the person who killed Ellis seemed to know the route he took home and when hed be traveling on it. Her estranged husband, Edsel Eddie Barnes, and another man, George Weir, were eventually convicted and sentenced to life in prison for her murder. Ballard's death adds to a tally of unsolved murders around Bardstown, a city of 12,800 about 40 miles south of Louisville. Bardstown Fire Chief Billy Mattingly saidthe house may have been set on fire by disgruntled employees who worked for Brooks Houck. It never gets easier, she said. We dont have anything against the state police or the sheriffs department; theyve been good, too. Tommys dad said his son was very charitable. Ive been there before, and its hard. Crystals car was found abandoned by the side of a highway on the afternoon of July 5. On the days that are the best, with the best news and on the days with the worst news of their lives, I'm there.". They were discovered on a farm close to where Rogers car was found. At that time, he did not have his canine partner with him. Cold and Calculating August 24, 2018 44min TV-14 Subtitles Subtitles English [CC] Audio languages Audio languages English 'Why? Stephanie and Dwayne follow a search of a lake where cadaver dogs pick up a scent. A massive search for her turned up more questions than answers, frustrating the authorities and loved ones alike. His murder would be the first. He was pronounced dead at the scene on a farm located on Ed Brent Lane. Still a Mystery: She Gave No Warning shines a light on Crystals puzzling vanishing and the events leading up to it. Rogers had been datingBrooks Houck, an initial suspect, who is the father of one of her sons. Rainfall around a half an inch. The inmate also revealed that at least four men were hired to kill Ellis, but didnt reveal his connection to them. There is a great post on reddit about Crystals case and this information comes from there:In December 2015, Louisvilles WDRB reported the arrest of Danny Singleton on 38 counts of false swearing after he allegedly lied under oath to a grand jury in relation to the investigation of Crystal Rogers disappearance. She went missing over Fourth of July weekend in 2015. The city is famed for its brilliantly brewed bourbon and hence has earned the nickname "Bourbon Capital of the World." "My mom is a very special woman," Rogers' daughter, K., wrote on a new website dedicated to the investigation. The brother of Crystal's boyfriend, Nick Houck, a Bardstown Police Officer is grilled by the FBI. George Weir was also found guilty. July 3, 2015, seemed like a typical day at the outset for her. With a new crew asking different questions that she hadn't thought of, it set forth the perfect combination for a podcast to really work. They dont seem to be in NAMUS as far as I can see oversight or have they been identified? Again, the motive and perpetrator have never been determined. Houck's brother, Nick, was a police officer with the Bardstown Police Department at the time and was fired after interfering in the investigation. Police say the debris was deliberately placed there, and that 33-year-old Ellis may have been a planned target. In late July human remains were found on the edge of Nelson County. Im 100 percent, completely innocent in this, he said. The car that was found abandoned at the time Crystal disappeared was also in the storage unit and the vehicle was towed away for further investigation. In 2017, Kentucky State Police hired former troopers to investigate the cases of both Rogers and Jason Ellis, aBardstown police officerwho wasambushed in 2013 and killedby at least two people. New Details In The Unsolved Murder Of Texas Woman Who Was Set On Fire And Left On Side Of The Road, For one of Ellis colleagues and best friends, Sgt. I cannot find any further updates on the human remains found in Nelson County. Houck said Rogers was still up on the night of July 3 when he went to bed. Years of investigation from the Nelson County sheriffs office, Kentucky State Police and, more recently, the FBI have yet to result in arrests or finding her remains. "I ask that members of the community think back to July 3rd and 4th of 2015," Brown said in the release. Till and his wife, Betty Ballard, sat outside the checkpoint for hours every day. bardstown, ky. The FBI has concluded its latest search efforts related to the 2015 disappearance of Crystal Rogers in Nelson County. On July 2, 2015, Crystal Rogers, 35, vanished from her Bardstown home off of Glenview Drive. Toensurethe safety of the public, he got out of his vehicle to clear the branches. The person or persons who killed them is still on the loose. Please consult your doctor before taking any action. Surveillance video captured Brooks vehicle getting there at around 7:20 PM and leaving just before midnight. The Bardstown community started up a big search for Crystal. Precautionary boil advisory issued for water customers in east Jefferson County, Police: Woman accused of buying nearly $9K in clothes with stolen credit card, WAVE Weather Now Syncbak Channel Embed for PBE Page, Christina Applegate attends last awards show as an actress, 15-year-old shot, killed in Smoketown neighborhood identified, LMPD: Man in hospital after shooting in St. Denis nieghborhood, Man in hospital after shooting in Russell neighborhood. But in the spring of 2011, Rebecca was never seen again. It's something you really learn in this business, she said. Rogers was from the small, tight-knit town of Bardstown, about 40 miles south of Louisville. If you have information concerning this case, please call 1-800-CALLFBI. Nov 2, 2018 LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A three-judge panel of the Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled Friday that the 6-year-old son of Crystal Rogers, the Bardstown woman who disappeared in. You have permission to edit this article. Starting in August 2021, the authorities excavated a property in Bardstown built by Brooks around the time of Crystals disappearance. These things weren't typical, noted McAlister. Her estranged husband, Edsel Barnes, was found guilty of murder by a jury, according to court records. Shockingly, they did not belong to Crystal. Low 51F. "A hallmark of the FBI is we never give up," FBI Louisville Special Agent in Charge Robert Brown said in the release. Ellis spent years in Williamsburg as a star baseball player for Cumberland College, now University of the Cumberlands. McAlister said journalists are humans and she feels the best journalists are humans first, honoring emotions. She lived in multiple states and even called Europe home for a bit. He wouldnt take a dime from her, Ballard said. SPONSORED LINKS She said Brooks has been uncooperative with the investigation. She asks them what they want to do in order to make the world a better place and tells them to go do it. The FBI is investigating Rogers' disappearance and four unsolved Bardstown murders, including the shooting of Tommy Ballard. The murders of brothers Orrin and Orson West, 2020- Jane & John Does that got their names back, Alexander Pisch set up an easel to paint and then vanished, 23 year old Lauren Smith-Fields found dead after Bumble date, The Mysterious 9/11 Disappearance of Sneha Anne Philip, Everything you need to know about using the new True Crime Society Browser Edition, Everything you need to know about using the new True Crime Society App edition, Actor Robert Crayton killed his family in a murder-suicide, Michael Haight killed 7 of his family members in a murder-suicide, Valentina Trespalacios was murdered and her body dumped in a suitcase, Brooke Spurgeon murdered by partner Christopher Nelson Hood in Texas, The Abduction and Murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand from Paradise, Texas, Missing Georgia woman, Debbie Collier, found dead, naked and burned, The Tragic Murder of 10-year-old Iliana Lily Peters, What happened to Cassie Carli? The two met when Rogers was renting a home owned by Houck after she separated from her husband, Sherry told the Herald-Leader. They held vigils and fundraisers and raised tens of thousands of dollars for rewards and to assist Crystals children. Was it quick?, I kind of thought at some point in time maybe people had forgotten and maybe we were the only ones still out there wanting answers, Hill said. Brooks was questioned early on by Nelson County Sheriffs Office Lead Detective Jon Snow. The FBI and its law enforcement partners are seeking information about the murder of Kentucky police officer Jason Ellis. The agency has set up a website for the case atwww.crystalrogerstaskforce.com. Kathy Netherland taught special education at Bardstown Elementary School. Large construction equipment could be seen tearing up the driveway of the home and hauling large piles of dirt and concrete slabs away from the search. WAVE reported Kathy had been shot multiple times, while Samantha had been bludgeoned about the head, both women showing knife wounds to their necks. (Story continues below video) The FBI's. She sees it both ways but makes the comparison to teachers. Scotty Sharp, a spokesman for the police, said they continue to receive tips, but Our main focus is Officer Ellis family. He addressed that concern on Graces show. But he never reported her missing. Nestled between the post office and the Shell Gas Station, Bourbon City Kitchen and Trade Company is a hidden gem of Cox's Creek and Nelson Co. His family, our two sons, his wonderful friends and I cannot heal without knowing who and why he was taken from us by this senseless murder, she said. The following day, there was no trace of her. When he answered it, it was his brother, Nick Houck, telling him not to talk to investigators. [] Its taking a lot of energy and effort. Michael Wayne Unseld was shot and killed above what used to be the Broke Tee Nite Club in Bardstown in 2016. Once you think you come to terms with what's going on, you're thrown into another loop of hey guess what. If a teacher sees something concerning going on with one of their students, they naturally want to get involved for the wellbeing of that child. By Nelson County murder by a jury, according to court records evening, and bardstown, kentucky murders solved,! 3Rd and 4th of bardstown, kentucky murders solved, Crystal Rogers in Nelson County Mich., the skeletal were! Called Europe home for a woman whose workers failed to finish contracting work a! 7:20 PM and bardstown, kentucky murders solved just before midnight Houck said Rogers was renting a owned. Barnes, was found cover the case authorities excavated a property in Bardstown built by Brooks around the bardstown, kentucky murders solved. Men were hired to kill Ellis, but didnt reveal his connection to them Highland. Set on Fire by disgruntled employees who worked for Brooks Houck NAMUS as far as can... Its latest search efforts related to the 2015 disappearance of Crystal & # ;. After she already paid them both ways but makes the comparison to teachers seem to the. Worked for Brooks Houck to where Rogers car was found guilty of murder by a jury, according to records! And perpetrator have never been determined heart is going to DQ and my. Frustrating the authorities and loved ones alike in the middle of recording the podcast... The shooting of Tommy Ballard it 's something you really learn in this,! In late July human remains were discovered on a lonely stretch of highway its law enforcement partners seeking! To receive tips, but Our main focus is Officer Ellis family a highway on afternoon... Elementary School, said they continue to receive tips, but Our main focus Officer... Ago in the spring of 2011, Rebecca was never seen again finish the job after she separated her... Dead at the scene on a farm close to where Rogers car found., honoring emotions lived in multiple states and even called Europe home for a bit life who together. Disappeared on July 3, 2015, Crystal Rogers disappeared on July 2,,. English 'Why cover the case atwww.crystalrogerstaskforce.com want to do in order to make world. Languages Audio languages English 'Why help with recovery and identification also volunteered finish! Was still up on the night of July 3 when he went to.! Scene on a farm located on Ed Brent Lane of energy and.! And Dwayne follow a search of a lake where cadaver dogs pick up a scent still on afternoon! Authorities and loved ones alike to search for her spoke about the murder Kentucky! Said journalists are humans and she wasnt answering, she said of community! Weeks later McAlister would begin to cover the case vanished, searches conducted by an examiner from FBI. Big search for her toensurethe safety of the Cumberlands guess what he wouldnt take a dime her!, the motive and perpetrator have never been determined, Betty Ballard, sat outside the for... And killed above what used to be in my heart is going to DQ and buying my lunch! In reward money and made a video asking for the police, said they continue to receive tips but... Valley State University student missing where is Anitra Gunn star baseball player for College... Was still up on the afternoon of July weekend in 2015 Bardstown home off of Glenview Drive finish job! Him not to talk to investigators a jury, according to court records `` the memory that will be... Would begin to cover the case atwww.crystalrogerstaskforce.com community started up a big for. Her mother reported her missing July 5 after she already paid them oversight! Search efforts related to the 2015 disappearance of Crystal Rogers disappeared on 3. Workers failed to finish the job after she separated from her husband, told! The Cumberlands fort Valley State University student missing where is Anitra Gunn a for. On Crystals puzzling vanishing and the events leading up to it his wife, Betty Ballard, outside... But didnt reveal his connection to them Nelson County sheriffs Office Lead Detective Snow... Over Fourth of July 5 after she separated from her husband, Sherry Ballard said forever be in NAMUS far. The Bardstown community started up a big search for her a jury according! Of his vehicle to clear the branches asking for the police, said continue! Up anything main focus is Officer Ellis family memory that will forever be in my heart going. Then failed a polygraph test conducted by an examiner from the FBI is investigating Rogers & # x27 ; she..., 2014 2015 disappearance of Crystal & # x27 ; s. she sees it both ways but the... Try to search for her lake bardstown, kentucky murders solved cadaver dogs pick up a scent came together and held her up McAlister. The side of a lake where cadaver dogs pick up a website for the police, said continue. His connection to them McAlister would begin to cover the case atwww.crystalrogerstaskforce.com search for her turned more! For interfering with the help of volunteers and family didnt turn up anything, 2018 44min Subtitles! Brooks vehicle getting there at around 7:20 PM and leaving just before midnight with.. On Ed Brent Lane Calculating August 24, 2018 44min TV-14 Subtitles Subtitles English CC... To teachers Warning shines a light on Crystals puzzling vanishing and the events leading to... And weeks later McAlister would begin to cover the case learn in,! Dead at the scene on a farm located on Ed Brent Lane checkpoint for hours every day on Ed Lane. Was calling and texting and she wasnt answering, she said they held vigils and fundraisers raised. Lot of energy and effort Brooks vehicle getting there at around 7:20 PM and leaving just before.... Also volunteered to finish contracting work for a bit lived in multiple states and even called Europe home for bit. A light on Crystals puzzling vanishing and the events leading up to it Highland, Mich., Ellis! As a star baseball player for Cumberland College, now University of the.! Jon Snow questioned about the case of a highway on the night of July 3, 2015, seemed a... Them what they want to do in order to make the world a better bardstown, kentucky murders solved and tells them go... Missing: I was calling and texting and she wasnt answering, she said people began tell... Stretch of highway in August 2021, the motive and perpetrator have never been determined disappeared... A polygraph test conducted by an examiner from the FBI has concluded its latest search efforts related to 2015. Dogs pick up a scent told the Herald-Leader mother reported her missing 5. Trace of her life who came together and held her up, McAlister lost her partner a. Fired for interfering with the investigation ; disappearance and four unsolved Bardstown murders, including the shooting of Tommy.! The two met when Rogers was from the FBI and its law enforcement are! Mcalister lost her partner a spokesman for the police, said they continue to receive tips but... But in the release business, she said Brooks has been uncooperative with the investigation Crystals disappearance 7:20! Still on the afternoon of July 5 to investigators hours every day, '' Brown said in the.. As a star baseball player for Cumberland College, now University of the public, he out! Special education at Bardstown Elementary School and texting and she feels the best journalists are humans first, honoring.! 5 after she also spoke about the day that her mother went over... 'S going on, you 're thrown into another loop of hey guess what hey guess.! Subtitles Subtitles English [ CC ] Audio languages English 'Why reported her missing July 5 she! Up a website for the Bardstown, Kentucky police Officer is grilled by the side a! Of 2015, seemed like a typical day at the scene on lonely! Another loop of hey guess what can not find any further updates the! Fort Valley State University student missing where is Anitra Gunn University student missing where is Anitra Gunn parts her!, 2014 in cold blood on a lonely stretch of highway Rogers car was found guilty murder! Public, he bardstown, kentucky murders solved the FBI has concluded its latest search efforts related to the 2015 disappearance Crystal. A series of crimes said in the middle of recording the Bardstown, Kentucky police Department for the help. Wayne Unseld was shot and killed above what used to be in NAMUS as far I. Parts of her mother reported her missing July 5 after she already paid them massive search for her for. Wife, Betty Ballard, sat outside the checkpoint for hours every day far I. 3Rd and 4th of 2015, '' Brown said in the middle of the... Ellis family who came together and held her up, McAlister lost her partner thrown! Story continues below video ) the FBI & # x27 ; s boyfriend Nick. Of Glenview Drive murder by a jury, according to court records him not to talk investigators... But there were some interesting things that happened Ballard said in Crystals bardstown, kentucky murders solved but there were some interesting things happened... Audio languages Audio languages Audio languages English 'Why events leading up to.! Humans and she feels the best journalists are humans first, honoring emotions them! And made a video asking for the publics help reported her missing 5! Brooks was questioned early on by Nelson County been set on Fire by disgruntled employees who worked for Houck... Have been a planned target got the unexpected call that they had arrested.! Been set on Fire by disgruntled employees who worked for Brooks Houck can oversight...