A lie detector test turned out to be inconclusive, but he maintained he had no involvement in the disappearance, saying, Im 100 percent completely innocent in this. Crystals sister thought there was more to it than what was apparent, adding, The stories just dont add up. She grew up moving around a lot as a child thanks to her father's business career. My Theories on the Bardstown Murders and the Disappearance of Crystal Rogers I used to believe that the murder of police officer Jason Ellis on May 25, 2013, the Netherland Murders on April 21, 2014, the disappearance of Crystal Rogers on July 3, 2015, and the murder of Tommy Ballard on November 19, 2016 in Bardstown, Kentucky we're all related. It was women like Sherry Ballard," she admitted. From day one, I never thought my daughter was coming home, Ballard said. And Ellis focus on drug users and dealers and domestic violence situations may reveal the kind of person authorities are looking for. He helped form Team Crystal, according to the FBI. RELATED: Who Killed Cordy Simmons? Five years and a month after the disappearance of Crystal Rogers,the FBIhas taken overthe investigation and is launching a new search for the35-year-old Kentucky mother of five. 'Why? But he never reported her missing. Till and Sherry Ballard said they believe the cases are connected and Tommys death investigation will be solved quickly after Rogers case is solved. Two years after the murder, Ellis wife, Amy, made a second video, pleading for answers. The FBI took over both cases last summer and has since executed several search warrants and questioned people in Bardstown. Were glad the FBI finally has took over the case, Ballard said. KSP said detectives are still actively working on the case and following leads, which come in periodically, according to KSP. A few hours after his last encounter with Ellis, he heard a voice on the police radio say Officer down.. Ballard's death adds to a tally of unsolved murders around Bardstown, a city of 12,800 about 40 miles south of Louisville. Tommy Ballard, Tills son and Sherrys husband, had been relentlessly pursuing the truth. She noticed right away that Rogers' family was insistent that she wouldn't just leave and law enforcement named a main suspect but never made an arrest. In August 2021, the FBI initiated a new search in the Woodlawn Springs subdivision of Bardstown. His father built houses, too, and still does as hes gotten into his 80s. Police haven't released a motive in the shooting. Their daughter, Freda Sharene Sherry Ballard was killed in 1979 and her car was submerged in the Ohio River, according to multiple reports. He exited the Bluegrass Parkway at Exit 34 and found the ramp blocked with trees. A massive search for her turned up more questions than answers, frustrating the authorities and loved ones alike. Sixteen months after Rogers disappearance in July 2015, her father was killed while he was hunting with his 12-year-old grandson. Business Advisory; Business Valuation; Corporate Finance; Cash Flow Modelling; M&A Advisory; Venture Capital; Private & Public Partnerships; Owner Supervision And Internal Control Police began their investigation after the vehicle was found. tower cafe sacramento; galley pirate blox fruits. Investigators had conducted numerous searches on Houck family property, including the home of Anna Whitesides, the grandmother of Brooks Houck. Did you make him suffer? Unseld said. They cant hold it against me that my daughter was murdered and just assume that Im going to speak badly of the father. Her car was found on the side of a busy parkway with a flat tire, keys, wallet and phone still inside. Kathy Netherland, 48, and her . Ellishadsigned off on the radioand was driving home when he encountered branches blocking the roadonexit 34 of the Bluegrass Parkway in Bardstown, Kentucky. You have permission to edit this article. Nelson County has been good to McAlister. Tommy didnt like being in photos, Ballard said. July 3, 2015, seemed like a typical day at the outset for her. Rogers, a mother of five children, wasnot known to go anywhere without her kids, according to the FBI. She doesnt want to be in the way. The Nelson County Coroner's Office said he was shot once in the chest, with the bullet entering his chest and exiting his back,according to WHAS-11. He stopped his police cruiser to clear the road and was gunned down by several shots from a 12-gauge shotgun. The motive and the person behind his murder remain a mystery to this day. The car was examined on July 9, 2015, and there was evidence of biological fluids inside the trunk. 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. Brooks was questioned early on by Nelson County Sheriffs Office Lead Detective Jon Snow. On the 5 year anniversary of Crystals disappearance, one of her children spoke to the media. Still a Mystery: She Gave No Warning shines a light on Crystals puzzling vanishing and the events leading up to it. She had a huge heart, Sherry Ballard said. Ballard's grandson, who was with him during the trip, was not responsible for Ballard's death, Kentucky State Police detectives said. Ballard said her daughter once took in a friend who didnt have anywhere to live. We should just be giving it out because it's so true, you have no idea what someone is facing.". In 2019, we brought you the story of five unsolved murders in and around the small, tight-knit town of Bardstown, Kentucky. said Sherry Ballard, Crystal Rogers mother. More than 150 state and federal law enforcement officers on Thursday were executing nine federal search warrants and will be conducting more than 50 interviews in Bardstown, Kentucky, the FBI said in a press release. Its mind blowing, Unseld said. At the time of that call, Nick Houck himself was an officer with the Bardstown Police Department. You can read a timeline of Crystals case from WDRB here. we arrested someone else, Hill said. They havent seen him for three months. The Bardstown, Kentucky, woman's maroon Chevrolet Impala was later found on the side of the Bluegrass Parkway with a flat tire. 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. Kathy and Samantha Netherland (d: April 21st, 2014) - mother and daughter were horrifically beat and murdered in their home. "It was my bosses who told me to stay home as long as I wanted. I know Im not the mother, but the mothers not here and the fathers the number one suspect.. I want to get my hopes up, Ballard said of the FBIs latest search. Tommy was the second of Till and Betty Ballards children to be murdered. Rogers has been missing more than six years. The FBI is investigating Rogers' disappearance and four unsolved Bardstown murders, including the shooting of Tommy Ballard. When murders go unsolved for long periods of time months, years, sometimes even decades it leaves communities in shambles, particularly investigators and the family of the victim. Rainfall around a half an inch. Rogers was also very hands-on with her childrens schoolwork. His name is also carved into a black column next to the building, along with the names of other fallen officers, and a memorial was held last May. Rogers was the couples first living grandchild, she said. I knew my mom was proud, but like just wanting her to be there physically, it was very hard to see other moms there, Fenwick said. || Photo contributed. Her remains were found buried in the woods in 1983. Missing Florida mother found deceased in Alabama, Where is 4-year-old Codi Bigsby, missing from Hampton, VA, Ill either see you again or never see you again The Disappearance of Daniel Robinson, Destiny Jacksons body was found in the Las Vegas desert after she was killed during a car jacking, Spooky Houses youll be DYING to stay far away from, Suzanne Morphew (49) has been missing since May 10th, 2020 her husband has been arrested, FOUND SAFE- Laura Lacie Read- missing from Midtown, Houston, after her child is found alone, Dr. Beth Potter, her husband, Robin Carre were killed and found in a ditch, Missing Child Alert: Taylor Rose Williams (5) is missing from Jacksonville, Florida. It was really rough. Police Chief Kim Kraeszig also remembers getting a call that night about the murder. He and his grandson were on family property next to the Bluegrass Parkway when he was shot in the chest and died instantly. Until then she challenges people to think about the impact they want to leave on the world. The Nelson County Sheriffs Office will continue to be the lead agency on the human remains case. Her boyfriend, Brooks Houck, who lived with her, claimed innocence and said he had no clue what happened to Crystal. She was born and raised in Bardstown and was a very shy little girl when she was younger, Sherry said. Starting in August 2021, the authorities excavated a property in Bardstown built by Brooks around the time of Crystals disappearance. Sherry Bradley said she drove six hours from Highland, Mich.,. They havent seen their brother. But in the spring of 2011, Rebecca was never seen again. On May 25, 2013, around 2 or 3 AM, Ellis, a police officer in Bardstown, Kentucky, was killed on his way home from work. Tommy was a kind of quiet man who built houses for a living, Sherry Ballard said. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. "The memory that will forever be in my heart is going to DQ and buying my momma lunch. Bardstown Police Department Officer Jason Ellis was headed home to Bloomfield around 2 a.m. after his shift on May 25, 2013. michael lombard actor obituary; justinas duknauskas biography; organic valley grassmilk yogurt discontinued Her living room prominently featured photos of them both. RELATED: 2016: Three year anniversary of Officer Jason Ellis' murder marked with candlelight vigil I have eight pages of circumstances that lead me to look in their direction, Mattingly said. She lived in multiple states and even called Europe home for a bit. If you have information related to the disappearance of Crystal Rogers, you can visit the website, call the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or contact your local FBI office, or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. Rogers was from the small, tight-knit town of Bardstown, about 40 miles south of Louisville. Sherry said they have not seen Eli since Crystal vanished on July 3. 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. I always wonder what my life would be like if she and my papaw was still here.". Season three, "Beyond Bardstown: Unsolved," is coming Monday, Oct. 17. Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles. Sharenes child wouldve been Till and Bettys first grandchild, Betty said. "What I feel like I've given to the community is so unmatched as to what they've given to me," said McAlister about Louisville and the surrounding communities. A graduate of the University of Missouri she was ready to get to work telling stories. Nelson County Sheriffs detectives arrested Crystal Maupin on Friday. I feel awful for her mother dealing with losing her child, husband and having to fight for custody with that horrible man! I know remains were found near to were Crystal went missing, but they were found not to be hers. Very nervous.. All of my efforts in searching for her have been done behind the scenes with the Nelson County sheriffs office, Houck said on Nancy Graces show. They focused on multiple houses before they eventually dug up a front yard and driveway at one property on North Howard Street. He walked a million miles, looking and searching, Till Ballard said. Her family tried to contact Crystal for two days via text and calling but they were not able to reach her. FBI representatives wouldnt comment on why investigators targeted one specific property. Read More: How Did Taylor Robinson Die? Her family, including her grandfather, Till Ballard, and her mother, Sherry Ballard, at least wants to know what happened to her. New Details On Unsolved Murder Of Kentucky Police Officer By Samantha Maffucci Written on May 29, 2019 Photo: bardstown police department When murders go unsolved for long periods of time. The Nelson County Sheriffs Office announced that Brooks Houck was the main suspect in Crystals disappearance. Weve searched the rivers, weve searched farms, houses, sinkholes, wells, any place she might be, family member Sammy Johnson said. Crystal Lite had been going around Bardstown ripping down signs that Crystal Rogers had put up. On May252013, Officer Jason Ellis waskilledafter finishing his shift for the Bardstown, Kentucky Police Department. The FBI announced that they had uncovered multiple items of interest. More than a year after Rogers disappeared, her father, Tommy Ballard, 54, was fatally shot while hunting on family property in a rural area outside Bardstown. He joined the paper in 2020, and is originally from Erlanger, Ky. Small town secrets The case of missing woman Crystal Rogers, A few days later on July 15, Brooke Ballard, Crystals sister, spoke to WHAS11 saying boyfriend Brooks Houcks story, Nick later told the Kentucky State Police. The same day she was reported missing, her car was found abandoned on the Bluegrass Parkway near mile marker 14, roughly 6 miles from the Bardstown exit. Ballard said she couldnt have asked for better than her late husband. 5. The person or persons who killed them is still on the loose. No immediate answers came out of the searches as Rogers family dealt with the six-year anniversary of her disappearance. Thats the question weve got.. August 2015 and Crystal is still missing. According to an arrest warrant, the video shows Maupin getting out of her car and taking the sign., Why wouldnt she help us? McAlister knew the podcast would do well in Kentucky because listeners here are hungry for answers but she had no idea that it would get national recognition. London, KY (40741) Today. High 64F. This story was originally published September 1, 2021, 12:19 PM. Bardstown Fire Chief Billy Mattingly saidthe house may have been set on fire by disgruntled employees who worked for Brooks Houck. In 1961, Betty Gail Brown, a Transylvania University student in Kentucky was found in a car on campus, strangled by her own bra. Rogers family members said Houck didnt help them try to search for her. Even though the father is a suspect in the case of Crystal going missing. She's come to have passion for shining a light on areas that would probably prefer to be dark. True Crime Society - True Crime Society Podcast Episode Its always the husband (allegedly! 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. McAlister goes on to list names including Tiny, Tammy and Rose, women that she'd gotten to know in one way or another through her reporting. In July 2017, Brooks new girlfriend, Crystal Maupin was arrested. Houck said that he had been 100 percent completely honest with everyone and cooperative. And then in August 2020, FBI agents turned up at a storage unit that belonged to Crystal. I don't know which one was worse: not knowing who it was or having suspects and not knowing why or any other answers, Hill said. Bourbon City Kitchen a hidden gem in NC. Those remains have yet to be identified. I just knew she wasnt. Team; Services. But he was unrelenting in his efforts to find his daughter. Kathy Netherland taught special education at Bardstown Elementary School. She appealed the decision. The search has focused on homes built and previously owned by Brooks. At that time, he did not have his canine partner with him. In November 2017, on the one year anniversary of Tommy Ballards death, signs appeared around Bardstown, implicating Brooks in Crystals disappearance and death. I know crystals mother cannot see the grandson that lives with his father. The sudden disappearance of Crystal Rogers, a young mother, in July 2015 had the small town of Bardstown, Kentucky, on edge. 4. It's been five years since Tommy Ballard of Bardstown was gunned down while hunting with his grandson. "When we got the interview with the FBI, they told us there was a probability that the five unsolved cases, including Jason Ellis were connected and it was so much new information," said McAlister. Back then, Sherry. Her estranged husband, Edsel Barnes, was found guilty of murder by a jury, according to court records. Police say the debris was deliberately placed there, and that 33-year-old Ellis may have been a planned target. They couldnt see what investigators were doing. She went missing over Fourth of July weekend in 2015. She hadnt been seen or heard from since July 3, according to the FBI. He had been just about to go hunting with one of his grandsons Crystals son. Sherry denies the allegation and says she was always careful not to speak about Brooks in front of Eli. And a little further north, one journalist is committed to finding the truth in these tragedies and opens up about her journey to the truth. Buy HD $2.99 More purchase options 3. More than 200,000 unsolved cases have gone cold since 1980, and murder clearance rates continue to drop. The Ballard family has more than one victim for whom they want answers. Every year, it gets harder and harder, said Dana Walden, one of Rogers cousins and a lifetime Bardstown resident. New Details About The Murder Cold Case That May Be Solved After 45 Years. We thought this was the break! When confronted with the results, Nick denied that he was lying, saying, I dont give a goddam what your fcking computer said Youre calling me a fcking liar [and] I dont like it when people call me a liar.. Michael Medley, its a night that continues to haunt him. At first, he thought the radio had picked up a signal from a neighboring townbut eventually realized it was closeby. He took Exit 34, a narrow ramp bounded on either side by steep stone walls. Houck has full custody of the child he had with Rogers. Though his case remains unsolved, his community continues to carry on his memory. Copyright 2019 WAVE 3 News. That included searches for Rogers body and any evidence they could find. (Family Photo) But there are still unanswered questions. "The FBI is committed to bringing those responsible to justice, but we are going to need the communitys assistance.". The Nelson County Sheriffs Office confirmed in a statement Sunday that human remains had been recovered in a rural part of the county. Crystals family also announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to her. Kathy Netherland, 48, and her daughter, Samantha, 16, were killed inside their home on April 21, 2014. The city is famed for its brilliantly brewed bourbon and hence has earned the nickname "Bourbon Capital of the World." But one set of family photos featuring both Tommy and Rogers has been key. Nearly a year later, in April 2014, 48-year-old teacher Kathy Netherland and her 16-year-old daughter, Samantha, were found dead inside their home. 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