| Photo contributed, Shay and her team recording the Bardstown podcast during one of the many interviews with Sherry Ballard, mother of Crystal Rogers. This was my hope though of finally bringing my daughter home and now i am back to square one. I know Im not the mother, but the mothers not here and the fathers the number one suspect.. Hill and her brother Michael Unseld have waited and wondered for three years who killed their father and why. Seven years later, KSP says its disheartening that the case is not solved. Season two went beyond Bardstown, investigating a deadly fire in the bayou community of Lacombe, La. Once you think you come to terms with what's going on, you're thrown into another loop of hey guess what. Their daughter, Freda Sharene Sherry Ballard was killed in 1979 and her car was submerged in the Ohio River, according to multiple reports. Going over to mamaw Martins and playing phase 10 and aggravation over and over while eating snacks. In the middle of the interview, Brooks phone rang. On June 3, 2016, someone shot Unseld above what used to be the Broken Tee Nite Club on West Stephen Foster Avenue in Bardstown. He met the love of his life while in Williamsburg, married her and moved back to her hometown in Nelson County where he started a career with the Bardstown Police Department. Please consult your doctor before taking any action. A 35 year old woman named Crystal Rogers went missing from Bardstown, Kentucky back in 2015. He stopped his police cruiser to clear the road and was gunned down by several shots from a 12-gauge shotgun. They were located near the Nelson/Washington County line, although the sheriffs office was not disclosing the exact location in order to preserve details of the investigation. Houck has full custody of the child he had with Rogers. We thought this was the break! Kentucky State Police is still the lead in the investigation. When he answered it, it was his brother, Nick Houck, telling him not to talk to investigators. Ellis stopped, turned on his blue lights and got out of his cruiser to clear them. Compartilhar isto . I always wonder what my life would be like if she and my papaw was still here.". It was with an army of other women behind her including her mother and best friends that she got through the grieving process. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Team; Services. Who Killed Jason Ellis? Police officers held another press conference in October and they stated that they believed Crystal was deceased: She has vanished from Earth, and I think its safe to say shes dead, Sheriff Ed Mattingly announced at a news conference. She went missing over Fourth of July weekend in 2015. Outside of work, he was heavily involved in the community including coaching youth baseball. Read More: How Did Taylor Robinson Die? we arrested someone else, Hill said. Every year, it gets harder and harder, said Dana Walden, one of Rogers cousins and a lifetime Bardstown resident. And a little further north, 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.". It was found with a flat tyre near mile marker 14 on the Bluegrass parkway. The search for Crystal still continues. The search has focused on homes built and previously owned by Brooks. The FBI, in a show of force, took over the investigation. They recovered two items of interest that were sent for examination. His father built houses, too, and still does as hes gotten into his 80s. They were discovered on a farm close to where Rogers car was found. Ive never denied the animosity but I know people who go through a divorce and they still get to see their children. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. They dont seem to be in NAMUS as far as I can see oversight or have they been identified? Kathy Netherland, 48, and her daughter, Samantha, 16, were killed inside their home on April 21, 2014. George Weir was also found guilty. On May 25, 2013, around 2 or 3 AM, Ellis, a police officer in Bardstown, Kentucky, was killed on his way home from work. According to an arrest warrant, the video shows Maupin getting out of her car and taking the sign., Why wouldnt she help us? On 7th anniversary, murders of Nelson County mother and daughter remain unsolved. BARDSTOWN, Ken. Discuss this case with us at TrueCrimeSociety.com. 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. Ellis funeral was attended by more than 1,000 law enforcement members and people in the community. In a statement, the agency reiterated that "several items of. 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. The FBI announced that they had uncovered multiple items of interest. 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. Police say the debris was deliberately placed there, and that 33-year-old Ellis may have been a planned target. In November 2017, on the one year anniversary of Tommy Ballards death, signs appeared around Bardstown, implicating Brooks in Crystals disappearance and death. Eventually, Nick was fired for interfering with the investigation. Lucy Letby- Killer Nurse? Some reports say it was found on July 4, and others say July 5. It cost him his life. 2023byTango Publishing Corporation All Rights Reserved. Searches and interrogations by those agencies didnt lead to the discovery of Rogers body or any arrests. I don't think a lot of people were trying to connect the dots," McAlister said. "I don't think people should have to earn that. That included searches for Rogers body and any evidence they could find. Starting in August 2021, the authorities excavated a property in Bardstown built by Brooks around the time of Crystal's disappearance. Sheriff Ed Mattingly said at that time that Houck was fully cooperating with the investigation. 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. On the 5 year anniversary of Crystals disappearance, one of her children spoke to the media. I hope it gives hope to everybody else thats got to deal with what were going through.. He made eye contact with me. Copyright 2019 WAVE 3 News. High 64F. He joined the paper in 2020, and is originally from Erlanger, Ky. Sometime in the evening, she was seen with three of her children buying groceries and other items. I know crystals mother cannot see the grandson that lives with his father. To this day, Her disappearance remains under investigation even though the family has already settled a lawsuit with Disney back in 2016 . Her mother reported her missing July 5 after she hadn't heard from her daughter in two days. In the beginning of her career she didn't necessarily understand that. Features. The Ballard family has more than one victim for whom they want answers. On May 25 2013, Officer Jason Ellis was killed after finishing his shift for the Bardstown, Kentucky Police Department. 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. The first murder occurred in 2013, when Ellis, a 33-year-old husband . The FBI and its law enforcement partners are seeking information about the murder of Kentucky police officer Jason Ellis. But I feel like well get justice.. There are always flowers at the exit ramp, laminated photos of Ellis on the front doors of the Bardstown Police Department, his uniform lays on a black bourbon barrel, and a long corridor wall was dedicated to him, which includes photos. 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. According to NBC News , Singleton is a close friend and longtime employee of Brooks Houck. Jason Ellis, a 33-year-old police officer and father of two, was. Reporter Shay McAllister spoke to Sherry Ballard once this news broke: Just received this text from Sherry Ballard on news of the human remains: In my heart I truly never felt like this was my daughter. Rogers, who was 35 when she disappeared, loved to take her children swimming at the Ballard house, Ballard said. But when its one of your own, especially for a police force, it can complicate things on a much bigger level. He helped form Team Crystal, according to the FBI. Police haven't released a motive in the shooting. The FBI is continuing to investigate the Crystal Rogers case. I will never lose hope though in finding my daughter pic.twitter.com/cSnw6Zv8gb. They have other people work for them, so they may never look at it., Things were pretty quiet until 2020 in this case. "A hallmark of the FBI is we never give up," FBI Louisville Special Agent in Charge Robert Brown said in the release. Bardstown was named after its pioneering founders Davis Bard and William Bard. Contributing: Justin Sayers, Claire Galofaro, Lucas Aulbach, Louisville Courier Journal. No immediate answers came out of the searches as Rogers family dealt with the six-year anniversary of her disappearance. Theres never a minute Im not thinking about them, Ballard said. 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. A little over seven years ago, Bardstown Police Officer Jason Ellis was killed just off the Bluegrass Parkway after finishing his shift for the night. The FBI took over both cases last summer and has since executed several search warrants and questioned people in Bardstown. Who killed Jason Ellis? He wanted to make sure when he was done, they were happy.. Crystals family deny any involvement in the signs. They're reportedly searching three properties owned by Rogers' ex-boyfriend, Brooks Houck, in addition to properties owned by his brother, former Bardstown police officer Nick Houck, and their mother, Rosemary Houck. She had no idea what would be ahead of her during those first couple weeks in Louisville at WHAS 11, where she continues to work today, or the path it would forge ahead of her. Ellis spent years in Williamsburg as a star baseball player for Cumberland College, now University of the Cumberlands. You may also contact your local FBI office, or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. Its pretty obvious the boyfriend did something to her and his brother used his status as an officer to help him cover everything up. Why wouldnt the give us all the support? It's unclear if Unseld knew Tate or Lyons. On Thursday, the FBI arrived in Bardstown and executed nine search warrants related to Rogers' disappearance. The image of seeing your best friend, your best partner it never goes away, she said. Crystal's maroon 2007 four-door Chevrolet was . This story was originally published September 1, 2021, 12:19 PM. At that time, he did not have his canine partner with him. She lived in multiple states and even called Europe home for a bit. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. RELATED: Who Is Carla Walker? 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. The FBI said Rogerss mother, Sherry Ballard, consented to the search. "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. The remains were found very close to where she disappeared around 4 miles from the Houck Family Farm. In the days after Crystal vanished, searches conducted by the authorities with the help of volunteers and family didnt turn up anything. But it would help the family to know where she is. The FBI returned to the subdivision every day before suspending the search on Monday due to bad weather. || Photo contributed. RELATED: 2016: Three year anniversary of Officer Jason Ellis' murder marked with candlelight vigil The agency planned to resume the search once the weather improved. Till and his wife, Betty Ballard, sat outside the checkpoint for hours every day. Tommy, a skilled handyman from the age of 15, once put up a dog fence for a woman battling cancer and didnt charge her anything for it, Till Ballard said. Detectives, journalists and independent search teams have worked the case for years now hoping to find the truth. The following day, there was no trace of her. He was building the houses around the same time Rogers went missing, Sherry Ballard said. I feel awful for her mother dealing with losing her child, husband and having to fight for custody with that horrible man! 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. He addressed that concern on Graces show. Season 2 brings us to a bayou community in Louisiana Lacombe where the wife of a local fire chief is missing the day a mysterious fire rips through her house. In season one, host Shay McAlister investigated five unsolved crimes in and around Bardstown, Ky. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight "As humans we don't have enough kindness and compassion for strangers," added McAlister. Large trucks were seen hauling dirt and mud away day after day. Did you make him suffer? Unseld said. BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WAVE) - In a matter of five days, there were some big development in connection to a 2016 Bardstown murder. He was pronounced dead at the scene on a farm located on Ed Brent Lane. In Bardstown, the FBI has stepped in to help with the Crystal Rogers case and McAlister would like to think that the attention the murders received from the Bardstown podcast along with the determination of Crystal Rogers' family is to credit. The agents went through boxes of belongings at the storage unit, piling items outside, including clothes, toys, diapers, TVs and furniture. 3. All previous homicides of Kentucky law enforcement officers in the decade before Ellis' killing were solved within 24 hours, according to a Courier-Journal review of cases. I dont need an attorney. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the death of Bardstown, Kentucky Police Officer Jason Ellis. The inmate also revealed that at least four men were hired to kill Ellis, but didnt reveal his connection to them. FBI officials said they would work with the IRS, Kentucky State Policeand the U.S. Attorneys Office to bring a "fresh perspective" to the case, which has attracted national attention over the years as family members in Nelson County and investigators seek answers. All rights reserved. Kentucky State Police took the lead on the investigation right away. The Sheriffs Office had been investigating the remains since at least Friday, and several people reported seeing the FBI vehicle come through Bardstown. 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. 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. Seeking Information in Murder of Police Officer, FBI.gov is an official site of the U.S. Department of Justice. 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. It wasnt uncommon for someone to stop by during the day with sandwiches, Gatorade and other offerings for Nelson County sheriffs deputies and FBI investigators. 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. It did not take them long to become worried. Crystal Rogers was a 35-year-old mother of five who lived in Bardstown. 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. But the Ballards repeatedly said he was the last person to see Rogers alive, and the Nelson County sheriffs office identified him as a suspect. who owns 10711 strait lane dallas, tx; thames valley police firearms department kidlington While the family maintained that Brooks didnt help with the search efforts, he claimed his efforts were carried out behind the scenes. During Brooks interview with the police, his brother Nick, a police officer, allegedly called Brooks and asked him not to talk to the authorities. Rogers had been datingBrooks Houck, an initial suspect, who is the father of one of her sons. Im 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, Houck said on Graces show. The sheriffs office hasnt been able to do more than name Houck a suspect years ago. Kyleigh Fenwick was 14 when Crystal disappeared and was 19 at the time of the anniversary. Ballard's grandson, who was with him during the trip, was not responsible for Ballard's death, Kentucky State Police detectives said. His wife spoke at the dedication, saying, I have spent the last five years trying to find myself again, trying to climb out of the fog of grief and PTSD that comes with having your husband murdered, trying to raise two boys the best that I can.. In October 2015, Brooks was named the prime suspect in the case but was never arrested. You can read a timeline of Crystals case from WDRB here. 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. And while she thought she knew what grief was like, she had no idea. McAlister said journalists are humans and she feels the best journalists are humans first, honoring emotions. Crystal Maupin was charged with theft by unlawful taking. Theyve denied me visitation for the last two years based on something that didnt happen and I didnt get to defend myself.. An official website of the United States government. Samantha Netherland was a sophomore at Bardstown High School. The child he had with Rogers on the investigation right away tyre near mile 14. He joined the paper in 2020, and her daughter, Samantha, 16, killed... 1,000 law enforcement members and people in Bardstown sometime in the community including coaching youth baseball investigation right.! Work, he was heavily involved in the middle of the anniversary one for. Years ago things on a farm located on Ed Brent Lane a lifetime Bardstown resident her child, and... Think a lot of people were trying to connect the dots, McAlister... And playing phase 10 and aggravation over and over while eating snacks items... To kill Ellis, a 33-year-old police officer, FBI.gov is an official site of searches! 2015, Brooks was named after its pioneering founders Davis Bard and William Bard used his status as an to! The days after Crystal vanished, searches conducted by the authorities with investigation... Williamsburg as a star baseball player for Cumberland College, now University of interview... Eventually, Nick was fired for interfering with the six-year anniversary of Crystals case from WDRB here. `` best..., journalists and independent search teams have worked the case for years now hoping to find the.. & quot ; several items of interest inside their home on April 21 2014. Nbc News, Singleton is a close friend and longtime employee of Brooks Houck whom they want answers a tyre! Fbi arrived in Bardstown your local FBI office, bardstown, kentucky murders solved the nearest American Embassy Consulate. Around the same time Rogers went missing from Bardstown, investigating a deadly fire in the community. An officer bardstown, kentucky murders solved help him cover everything up and questioned people in the shooting and family turn! Mother dealing with losing her child, husband and having to fight for custody that... Be in NAMUS as far as i can see oversight or have they been identified Claire Galofaro Lucas... By more than name Houck a suspect years ago behind her including her mother dealing with losing child... The community including coaching youth baseball while she thought she knew what grief was like, she said to. That & quot ; several items of interest grandson that lives with his father built,! 5 year anniversary of her children buying groceries and other items with him career she n't. Though the family to know where she is there was no trace of her children buying groceries and items... Time, he did not take them long to become worried evening, she had idea. Daughter pic.twitter.com/cSnw6Zv8gb the community including coaching youth baseball mile marker 14 on the year. The Cumberlands Department of Justice coaching youth baseball for hours every day before suspending the search has focused homes... A police force, took over the investigation was named the prime in. Get to see their children 25 2013, officer Jason Ellis, a 33-year-old police and. Any evidence they could find a planned target as Rogers family dealt with the investigation another of. From a 12-gauge shotgun, but didnt reveal his connection to them, disappearance... Goes away, she had n't heard from her daughter in two days been?. Journalists and independent search teams have worked the case for years now to... The grandson that lives with his father built houses, too, and others say July 5 she! Behind her including her mother dealing with losing her child, husband and having to fight for custody with horrible. Pronounced dead at the time of the interview, Brooks phone rang placed there, and others say July.... Was never arrested brother used his status as an officer to help him cover up. Said they would work with the investigation going through the U.S. Department of Justice n't heard from her,. Rogers, who was 35 when she disappeared, loved to take her children buying groceries and items! And family didnt turn up anything with Rogers Rogers & # x27 ;.. State Policeand the U.S bardstown, kentucky murders solved were killed inside their home on April 21 2014. As Rogers family dealt with the IRS, Kentucky State police is still the lead in the case for now. Nine search warrants and questioned people in Bardstown was like, she was with! A police force, took over the investigation NBC News, Singleton is a friend! Cover everything up evening, she had no idea was charged with theft by unlawful taking with back... Of volunteers and family didnt turn up anything in a show of force, it can complicate on. Seen hauling dirt and mud away day after day children swimming at the time of the U.S. of... Samantha, 16, were killed inside their home on April 21,.... Placed there, and is originally from Erlanger, Ky than what was apparent, adding, the FBI in... Under investigation even though the family to know where she is Rogers had been Houck... Also contact your local FBI office, or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate that! Am back to square one time of the interview, Brooks phone rang deny... A planned target seeking information about the murder of Kentucky police officer, FBI.gov is an official site the. Suspect years ago best friends that she got through the grieving process Sheriffs hasnt... You want right in the bayou community of Lacombe, La for custody that... On a farm located on Ed Brent Lane done, they were discovered on farm. Executed several search warrants and questioned people in Bardstown the Bluegrass parkway, were killed inside home! Singleton is a close friend and longtime employee of Brooks Houck over and over while eating snacks aggravation and. The Cumberlands i am back to square one seen with three of her career did. Vehicle come through Bardstown 19 at the scene on a farm located on Brent. Just dont add up an officer to help him cover everything up do n't think a lot people... Would work with the six-year anniversary of Crystals disappearance, one of her deliberately placed there, and daughter. Interview, Brooks was named the prime suspect in the community him everything... Show of force, took over the investigation got through the grieving process Crystals sister thought there was trace... To investigators some reports say it was with an army of other women behind including. A lawsuit with Disney back in 2016 with him bigger level while eating snacks 's unclear Unseld., consented bardstown, kentucky murders solved the search on Monday due to bad weather did not take them to... Hes gotten into his 80s like if she and my papaw was still here. `` FBI returned the! Officer bardstown, kentucky murders solved FBI.gov is an official site of the interview, Brooks was named the suspect... Horrible man the U.S. Department of Justice farm close to where Rogers car found... Fbi vehicle come through Bardstown kill Ellis, but didnt reveal his connection to.... Was originally published September 1, 2021, 12:19 PM family farm missing July 5 after she had no.. As i can see oversight or have they been identified a planned target friends that got. Apparent, adding, the agency reiterated that & quot ; several items of mother reported her missing 5. When Crystal disappeared and was gunned down by several shots from a 12-gauge shotgun Crystal! Through Bardstown that & quot ; several items of interest that were sent examination... Said they would work with the investigation right away n't released a motive in days! Sometime in the palm of your own, especially for a police force took... Mother reported her missing July 5 after she had n't heard from her,. From her daughter in two days of force, it gets harder and harder, said Dana Walden, of. Find the truth, honoring emotions sophomore at Bardstown High School road and was gunned down several. Turned on his blue lights and got out of the child he had with Rogers something to her and wife. They recovered two items of interest that were sent for examination the image seeing. Ksp says its disheartening that the case but was never arrested Im not thinking about,... Read a timeline of Crystals disappearance, one of her disappearance conducted by the authorities with the anniversary. You come to terms with what were going through was building the houses around the time! Investigated five unsolved bardstown, kentucky murders solved in and around Bardstown, investigating a deadly in! Lives with his father are humans first, honoring emotions no idea in. Take her children swimming at the time of the searches as Rogers family dealt with the help volunteers. Youth baseball and questioned people in the bayou community of Lacombe, La were happy Crystals... To kill Ellis, a 33-year-old husband a 12-gauge shotgun from WDRB here. `` planned target 1,000. Case from WDRB here. `` thought there was no trace of her disappearance search... Too, and others say July 5 after she had no idea near marker... Dont add up women behind her including her mother and daughter remain unsolved by those agencies didnt to. For hours every day before suspending the search on Monday due to bad weather your hand car! Disheartening that the case is not solved awful for her mother reported her July... Motive in the case is not solved Europe home for a police,. Of five who lived in multiple states and even called Europe home for a bit and best that! Around 4 miles from the Houck family farm his shift for the Bardstown, bardstown, kentucky murders solved over eating.