[] I cant even go on the side of the road without looking like a murderer. 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. She also spoke about the day that her mother went missing: I was calling and texting and she wasnt answering, she said. The agency planned to resume the search once the weather improved. They said it gives them a bit of hope and closure, but they still have a lot of questions. Her father Tommy Ballard was shot in the chest and killed. The agents went through boxes of belongings at the storage unit, piling items outside, including clothes, toys, diapers, TVs and furniture. "It was my bosses who told me to stay home as long as I wanted. In July 2017, Brooks new girlfriend, Crystal Maupin was arrested. Weve searched the rivers, weve searched farms, houses, sinkholes, wells, any place she might be, family member Sammy Johnson said. You may also contact your local FBI office, or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. Ballard's grandson, who was with him during the trip, was not responsible for Ballard's death, Kentucky State Police detectives said. Ive never denied the animosity but I know people who go through a divorce and they still get to see their children. The relationship with these friends and family members has evolved over time to one where McAlister said she used to just keep in touch to get updates on the case, to one where now she's keeping in touch, making sure they are ok. "As a human it's difficult to draw a boundary and keep a boundary especially in a case like this where we've known each other for five years," McAlister said. The statement was released Tuesday in a tweet by the FBI in . People say it gets easier. Sheriff Ed Mattingly said at that time that Houck was fully cooperating with the investigation. If you have any information on this case, call Kentucky State Police. NELSON COUNTY, Ky. (WAVE) - It has been seven years since mother and daughter were brutally murdered in Nelson County in the small community of Botland. He helped form Team Crystal, according to the FBI. He was also operating a pool car, which did not have a dash camera to record the incident. We want to thank the FBI for their assistance and teamwork over the last 18 plus months. In season one, host Shay McAlister investigated five unsolved crimes in and around Bardstown, Ky. The keys were in the ignition and her personal belongings (keys, cellphone and purse) were found inside and scattered around the vehicle. She appealed the decision. No immediate answers came out of the searches as Rogers family dealt with the six-year anniversary of her disappearance. Tommy didnt like to be in the public eye, Ballard said. We want closure., RELATED: Who Killed Lonnie Lard Anthony? Seven years later, KSP says its disheartening that the case is not solved. When that happened to my husband, wife Sherry Ballard told WDRB, it was no accident. Sherry believes Tommy was getting close to finding out what happened to Rogers before he was killed. Crystal Maupin was charged with theft by unlawful taking. Investigative journalist Shay McAlister moved to Louisville a little over five years ago fresh out of college. 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. Hill and Unseld are both processing the new development. Subscribe Compartilhar isto . I will never lose hope though in finding my daughter pic.twitter.com/cSnw6Zv8gb. In November 2020, we got more news about the identity of the human remains. They couldnt see what investigators were doing. Shockingly, they did not belong to Crystal. We are at the top of the list, he said. In a statement, the agency reiterated that "several items of. Its so hard.. High 64F. Ellishadsigned off on the radioand was driving home when he encountered branches blocking the roadonexit 34 of the Bluegrass Parkway in Bardstown, Kentucky. Who Killed Jason Ellis? Bauer and Stanton asked him why this information wasnt revealed soonerand he said the men involved were eliminated and someone had tied up loose ends to keep the investigation quiet. Both Bauer and Stanton were unable to verify the inmates claims. They were discovered on a farm close to where Rogers car was found. SPONSORED LINKS They just ripped that baby away from me because they said theres too much animosity between the families, Ballard told Oxygen.com. 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. Although she was brand new to the job, McAlister said the Rogers case immediately stood out. We are now at 2021 and Crystal will have been missing for 6 years this July. Her mother reported her missing July 5 after she hadn't heard from her daughter in two days. Starting in August 2021, the authorities excavated a property in Bardstown built by Brooks around the time of Crystals disappearance. He wanted to make sure when he was done, they were happy.. emailStay Connected All rights reserved. They lost a brother too; the kids are having a real hard time with that. There were a dozen. First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. I don't think a lot of people were trying to connect the dots," McAlister said. Crystals mother Sherry Ballard said at the time We love her and were trying to find her and we just want her to come home.. Going over to mamaw Martins and playing phase 10 and aggravation over and over while eating snacks. He was building the houses around the same time Rogers went missing, Sherry Ballard said. During Police Week, the FBI is intensifying its efforts to identify and arrest fugitives believed to be involved in the assault or murder of law enforcement officers. The inmate also revealed that at least four men were hired to kill Ellis, but didnt reveal his connection to them. The sheriffs office hasnt been able to do more than name Houck a suspect years ago. And a little further north, He addressed that concern on Graces show. She had a huge heart, Sherry Ballard said. Her living room prominently featured photos of them both. 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. They recovered two items of interest that were sent for examination. "The memory that will forever be in my heart is going to DQ and buying my momma lunch. In late July human remains were found on the edge of Nelson County. When she arrived in Louisville in July of 2015, a young woman, also from Bardstown, would go missing -- a huge national news story then and still today. bardstown, ky. The FBI has concluded its latest search efforts related to the 2015 disappearance of Crystal Rogers in Nelson County. He walked a million miles, looking and searching, Till Ballard said. The two met when Rogers was renting a home owned by Houck after she separated from her husband, Sherry told the Herald-Leader. On Nancy Graces show, Houck said he went to a July Fourth party without Rogers and was planning to check with others about Rogers if she remained absent for more than a day or a day-and-a-half. BARDSTOWN, Ky. - After nine years since Bardstown police officer Jason Ellis was murdered, police still need help solving the case.Ellis was shot and killed on May 25, 2013, near exit 34 of the Bluegrass Parkway on his way home from work after he stopped to remove branches from the road. "As long as you never cross the line to where you're turning your story into bias reporting" said McAlister. Toensurethe safety of the public, he got out of his vehicle to clear the branches. Tommy didnt like being in photos, Ballard said. The Sheriffs Office had been investigating the remains since at least Friday, and several people reported seeing the FBI vehicle come through Bardstown. Hed do anything for anybody, Till Ballard said. He was a K-9 handler (narcotics dog) for the police department in addition to his patrol duties. 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. Ballard said her daughter once took in a friend who didnt have anywhere to live. Rogers was from the small, tight-knit town of Bardstown, about 40 miles south of Louisville. But he was an excellent father who was very protective., He always wanted to please the people he was building a home for, even if he had to go the extra mile, Ballard said. The results on the human remains does not change their investigation or drive to bring closure and justice for the Ballard family and the citizens of Nelson County. 1:37 The FBI's latest search related to the disappearance of Bardstown mom Crystal Rogers has ended, the agency announced Tuesday. Learn how your comment data is processed. She had previously been seeing him every other weekend. Multiple items of interest potentially relevant to Rogers disappearance have been found and are being analyzed, the FBI said Monday without providing details. Vanished: Heidi Broussard (33) and Margot Carey (2wks). "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. 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.". But in the spring of 2011, Rebecca was never seen again. 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. Chance of rain 100%. This story was originally published September 1, 2021, 12:19 PM. . Residents on North and South Howard streets had to go through the checkpoint to get to their homes. At that time, he did not have his canine partner with him. She sees it both ways but makes the comparison to teachers. In the summer of 2018, Brooks Houck was arrested for stealing more than 200 bundles of shingles from Lowes during four separate visits during an 11-day period. Buy HD $2.99 More purchase options 3. On May 25, Ellis, a husband and father of two young boys, clocked out of his shift at 2 a.m. and started his normal, 15-mile drive home on the Bluegrass Parkway. A massive search for her turned up more questions than answers, frustrating the authorities and loved ones alike. Rogers family members said Houck didnt help them try to search for her. Sherry spoke to Oxygen in March 2021 and said that shes been denied visitation rights based on a claim made by Houcks camp that the child once heard something negative being said about Houck while visiting Ballard. Its pretty obvious the boyfriend did something to her and his brother used his status as an officer to help him cover everything up. Copyright 2019 WAVE 3 News. Large trucks were seen hauling dirt and mud away day after day. 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. KSP said detectives are still actively working on the case and following leads, which come in periodically, according to KSP. You just dont go to bed one night and not know shes gone and then not worry when she left the baby.. She went missing over Fourth of July weekend in 2015. Possible human remains were discovered two weeks ago near where Rogers was last seen, theNelson County Sheriff's Office said in a statement, leading to a swirl of rumors that the remains could belong to Rogers. But when its one of your own, especially for a police force, it can complicate things on a much bigger level. "It makes you listen and explain in a different way," said McAlister through tears. >> PREVIOUS STORY: Arrest made 3 years after Bardstown nightclub homicide, Thats when we were kind of like oh my gosh really? Heather Hill, Unselds daughter said. In the interview, Houck said that Rogers, their 2-year-old son Eli and himself left the family farm around midnight the night of July 3. Still a Mystery: She Gave No Warning shines a light on Crystals puzzling vanishing and the events leading up to it. New Details In The Unsolved Murder Of Texas Woman Who Was Set On Fire And Left On Side Of The Road, Who Killed Lonnie Lard Anthony? Plus, we had a contractor on the jury with us, and he said when they get it, they load it and take it to a site. The skeletal remains were discovered Thursday evening, and investigators called in an FBI team to help with recovery and identification. She said Brooks has been uncooperative with the investigation. So, if youre curious about what happened in this case, weve got you covered. Till and Sherry Ballard are adamant that Tommy was killed because of how hard he was working to find Rogers. Its something that they dont get over. But he never reported her missing. Houck has said he didnt do anything to Rogers. Police say the debris was deliberately placed there, and that 33-year-old Ellis may have been a planned target. It did not take them long to become worried. | Photo contributed, Shay McAlister in front of the camera. Lance Storz was found dead while awaiting trial. Halfway around the ramp, someone had dragged a pile of branches into the roadway. I just cant understand why we havent got to see that baby yet., On October 16, 2015, Brooks brother Nick Houck was fired from the Bardstown Police Department for allegedly interfering with the investigation of Crystal Rogers disappearance, according to NBC affiliate WLEX. 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. The Bardstown, Kentucky, woman's maroon Chevrolet Impala was later found on the side of the Bluegrass Parkway with a flat tire. 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. So, if youre curious about what happened in this case, weve got you covered. Copyright 2021 WAVE 3 News. When I graduated high school, seeing all the kids with their moms and they were like so proud. There is a great post on reddit about Crystals case and this information comes from there: You can see Crystal Maupins Facebook here. 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. Hopefully theyll have enough to charge him soon even if they dont find her body. In June, Whitesides was served with a subpoena to testify before a Nelson County Grand Jury, but she invoked her Fifth Amendment right not to talk. Whileattempting to remove thedebris,hewasshotseveral times and died shortly after. Im not worried about nobody but my grandson and my daughter., This was a fight that would be drawn out for years. Get FBI email alerts Crystals maroon 2007 four-door Chevrolet was found abandoned soon after she disappeared. You can see Crystal Maupins Facebook here. Ballard's death adds to a tally of unsolved murders around Bardstown, a city of 12,800 about 40 miles south of Louisville. 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. Two people have been arrested and charged in the murder of Michael Wayne Unseld, 61. The FBI is investigating Rogers' disappearance and four unsolved Bardstown murders, including the shooting of Tommy Ballard. James and Michelle Butler: The Senseless Murder of 21-Year-Navy Veteran and Wife. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. It is thought to be cyanobacteria, which is a gelatin-like substance. . He told Snow that when he woke up on the morning of July 4, Rogers wasnt there. Although detectives considered Houck a suspect, he was never charged in connection with Crystal's disappearance. Brooks Houck never participated in these searches for Crystal. He was also arrested for a probation violation and drug charges. Rainfall around a half an inch. He said when they got home, he went straight to bed, and Rogers stayed up playing games on her phone. They focused on multiple houses before they eventually dug up a front yard and driveway at one property on North Howard Street. He and his grandson were on family property next to the Bluegrass Parkway when he was shot in the chest and died instantly. They lost a mother. The young woman was living with her boyfriend, Brooks Houck, who was the father of her youngest child. Or Hospital Scapegoat? Kentucky State Police is still the lead in the investigation. She was trying to make a life for her and her kids, and she looked out for her children number one, Ballard said. The person or persons who killed them is still on the loose. On July 23, 2020, Nelson County Sheriffs Office investigators became aware of the existence of human remains in a remote area near the Washington County line. Nick was accused of warning his brother that detectives planned to interview him and advised him not to speak with them. I do believe this is where my daughter is. Mother of five, Crystal Rogers has been missing from Bardstown, KY since July 3, 2015. An unknown subject fired one shot and hit Ballard in the chest and instantly killed him. While the highest-profile missing person in the area is Crystal Rogers, who went missing in July 2015 and is presumed dead, there are other lesser-known cases of missing persons. Her family, including her grandfather, Till Ballard, and her mother, Sherry Ballard, at least wants to know what happened to her. He drove to the Exit 24 ramp and was one of the first responding officers to see Ellis lying dead in the road. Houck said that he had been 100 percent completely honest with everyone and cooperative. I made eye contact with him, Tommy Ballard said after the court hearing. She hadnt been seen or heard from since July 3, according to the FBI. It wasn't until Tommy Ballard, Crystal Rogers' father, was shot and killed that McAlister really even learned about all the loss in Bardstown. The remains were processed through CODIS, which stands for the Combined DNA Index System. Rogers'car was found abandoned on the Bluegrass Parkwaywith her keys, phone and purse still inside. WAVE reported Kathy had been shot multiple times, while Samantha had been bludgeoned about the head, both women showing knife wounds to their necks. The second search took place in the Woodlawn Springs subdivision, where Brooks Houck's construction company built several houses shortly after the disappearance of Crystal Rogers. Rogers was from the small, tight-knit town of Bardstown, about 40 miles south of Louisville. We dont have anything against the state police or the sheriffs department; theyve been good, too. All rights reserved. We would always get the chicken strip basket with the toast and gravy to go with it. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. 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