"And I need closure. I believe theyre all connected because what they dont tell you is that all of these people were closely related in one way or another. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. In the fall of 2016, Tommy tells his wife Sherry that he believes he is being followed, but he is unsure of who is following him. Just 16 months later, while searching for answers, Crystal's father is murdered in cold blood. Ballard never gave up trying to find his daughter. Five years ago, Kathy Netherland and her 16-year-old daughter Samantha were found shot to dead inside their Bardstown, Kentucky home on April 22, 2014. They need new cases. That was an excellent article. There has been gossip about the surviving daughter being involved, but I see no actual evidence of that. A 35 year old woman named Crystal Rogers went missing from Bardstown, Kentucky back in 2015. A subreddit dedicated to the unresolved mysteries of the world. He did make drug arrests that followed traffic stops but they were hardly a significant busts. , "My whole family's name is trashed for something completely not even tied to me. The HLN cable channel is a spinoff of CNN. With a population of just over 14,000, it was voted The Most Beautiful Small Town In America and also boasts of being the Bourbon Capital of the World, due to the presence of six major whiskey distilleries in town. Bardstown Fire Chief Billy Mattingly saidthe house may have been set on fire by disgruntled employees who worked for Brooks Houck. The next morning Crystal vanishes, but Brooks does not think it's odd because she occasionally spent the night at the homes of her friends. At least one valid email address is required. Its striking to note that theres been so little progress in the investigation into the death of Officer Ellis. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. However, Sherry has been focusing on advocating for Crystals case and believes that it will provide answers for what happened to her husband. When a region that has had virtually no murders suddenly has five unsolved murders in a short period, it is statistically unlikely that at least some are related. Theres also a $200,000 reward. Vanished-Crystal Rogers - True Crimecast (October 2018) Two true crime podcasters, John and Jamie, theorize about the Crystal Rogers case. More than a year after Rogers disappeared, her father, 54-year-old Tommy Ballard, was fatally shot in November 2016 while huntingon family property in a rural area outside Bardstown. I agree it did seem personal but I also think that maybe she fought back more than the mother did and the killer(s) lost their cool. On May 25, 2013, Bardstown police officer Jason Ellis was ambushed and killed on his way home after signing off for the night by someone lying in wait for . [PREVIOUS STORY: Black Chevy Impala is suspect vehicle in Nelson Co. murders, says KSP]. FBI agents were searching a farm Monday morning connected to the man. After her family does not hear from Crystal, Sherry Ballard reports her daughter missing to the Bardstown police. Houck was under suspicion immediately. Kentucky State Police believe 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 are responsible for the crimes. There is something darker hiding behind the small-town charm and friendly waves, Noll told CrimeOnline. She was a widow and in photos she looked younger than her reported age of 48. The mayor of Bardstown said Nick Houck phoned his brotherwhen he knew Brooks was being interviewed by detectives, warning that his brother "should protect himself," and that investigators "might be trying to trip him up," theKentucky Standard reported in 2015. Rogers parents were immediately vocal in their suspicions of boyfriend Brooks Houck. I'm innocent. In a March 2017 interview with WDRB, Crystal Rogers mother, Sherry Ballard, surmised that her daughter disappeared because she overheard something maybe she shouldn't have, related to the murder of Jason Ellis. 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. I don't need an attorney. Seems like almost everybody around knew her and everyone is still thinking of her. She was in college and could date anyone she wished to. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. My opinion: Crystals disappearance is that this was a domestic violence situation that turned into murder. Spokesperson Lt. Michael Webb said police haven't ruled out the possibility that the cases might be connected, but offered no further details, according to The Courier-Journal. As the Kentucky Standard reported after she vanished, her aunt Sherry Ballard Barnes disappeared in January 1979. Our hope in telling their stories is that the right person hears it and is compelled to finally come forward., The community, the victims, the families deserve justice.. The FBI reportedly said the residents of the property that investigators and construction equipment focused on had no connection to the case, and the federal agency said it will pay for any repairs to the property. I grew up in Kentucky, about an hour away from Bardstown. I know that one of 'em had her throat slit. I know that trinkets were taken as trophies. He was a K-9 handler (narcotics dog) for the police department in addition to his patrol duties. In the same article, however, Trooper Gregory said, "I have no reason at this time to believe they're connected, but it's not something that we're discarding either.". That's an important bit that is often overlooked! The police force is corrupt too. Bardstown is at the center of five unsolved deaths and disappearances, including that of Crystal Rogers,and they continue to inspire speculation, gossip and intrigue far beyond the county line. Killing a patrolman just because he once arrested you is possible but highly unusual. 6 years later: Anniversary of Tommy Ballard's death follows 2nd FBI search in Crystal Rogers disa 6 years has passed since mysterious death of Crystal Rogers father, Tommy Ballard, 6 years later, Tommy Ballard's murder remains unsolved | whas11.com, 'Pushing for justice' | 6 years later, circumstances surrounding Tommy Ballard's death remain a mystery | News | wdrb.com, A move in the right direction: Sherry Ballard reacts to special prosecutor appointment to Nelson County cases, Special prosecutor investigating three Nelson County deaths, Signs speculating about suspect in disappearance of Crystal Rogers appear on anniversary of her father's death, Family still searching for answers in death of missing woman's father, Police investigating shooting death of Tommy Ballard, KSP clears victim's grandson in Nelson County shooting death, Sherry Ballard says her husband was being followed leading up to his death, Search continues for Ky. mom part 2 (Rogers), Witness Says She Saw Suspicious Car The Morning Tommy Ballard Was Shot, KSP seeks public's help in investigation of Tommy Ballard shooting death, Grandson cleared in missing woman's dad's death, TIMELINE: Crystal Rogers disappearance & Investigation, Autopsy scheduled in Tommy Ballard death, investigation continues, The Complete Timeline of Crystal Rogers' Disappearance, Family offers $20,000 for information on fatal shooting, Bardstown family longs for answers 6 months after Tommy Ballard was killed, WHAS11 Journalist Shay McAlister visits EKU at "A Night of True Crime" Event, FBI conducting new search in Crystal Rogers case, Family of Crystal Rogers hopes for answers during FBI search of Bardstown farm - ABC 36 News, Timeline: A look at the Crystal Rogers case since 2015, including FBI involvement, FBI begins fourth day of search for Crystal Rogers on Houck farm - YouTube. Crystal Rogers' mother hopes for closure with FBI investigation. Snow Report: The 20 Greatest Cocaine Scenes in Movie History, The Legacy of "M*A*S*H" And TV's Best Series Finales, Revisiting the True Crime Case That Inspired Edgar Allan Poe, Nobis Makes the Perfect Jacket for Every Conceivable Winter Situation, Woody Harrelson Is the Latest "SNL" Host to Deliver a Controversial Monologue, The Best Outdoor-Ready Deals From REIs Massive Winter Sale. How they died is not one of the main things I want to think about.". There is no evidence that he was conducting any kind of independent investigation or was privy to any information that Law Enforcement didnt have. Approximately 150 miles away in a small town similar to many in the Tri-County, five murders are unsolved, one with a connection to the Tri-County. In a bizarre twist, on November 19, 2016, Crystals father, Tommy Ballard. Kathy Netherland, 48, and her daughter, Samantha, 16, were killed inside their home on April 21, 2014. According to death certificates obtained by WAVE 3 News, 48-year-old Kathy Netherland was shot multiple times. https://assets.speakcdn.com/assets/2497/ncadv_kentucky_fact_sheet_2020.pdf. Numerous podcasts have focused on the Crystal Rogers case. Sign up now. Bardstown Mystery: Four dead, one missing in 'the most beautiful small town in America' by Leigh Egan September 2, 2019 Tweet It's been called the most beautiful small town in America, but four unsolved murders and the disappearance of a beloved mother-of-five left an ugly stain on Bardstown, Kentucky. On May 25, 2013, 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. This article was featured in the InsideHook newsletter. Her relatives do not seem to believe she was involved. Within a very few short minutes of his killing a couple of vehicles rolled up on the scene and both of them attempted to use the police radio to get help for him. 5 years later, nobody knows. The FBI has been offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to arrests in Ellis' slaying. Any nightmares I had in Bardstown were just inside my head, not hovering in the shadows under the trees crowding the highway. Details: On May 25 2013, Officer Jason Ellis was killed after finishing his shift for the Bardstown, Kentucky Police Department. She didn't receive an inheritance when her mother and sister were killed and the idea that she killed her remaining family (her father recently passed from cancer) because they supposedly didnt like her boyfriend doesnt seem like a real motive. May 25, 2013 was a Saturday. Alternately known as The Bardstown Murders or the The Nelson County Murders, the area is at the center of five unsolved deaths and disappearances, which continue to inspire speculation, gossip and intrigue far beyond the county line. Do you remember seeing any other vehicles on the road? "The memory that will forever be in my heart is going to DQ and buying my momma lunch. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Kentucky State Police had no suspects or motive for the Netherlands' murders. "When my daughter went missing, Brooks was building in that neighborhood.". Her daughter Samantha was 16 and a sophomore at Bardstown High, where she was a member of several clubs, including the school chorus, Adventure Club, and the Young Leaders Program. Then on November 19, while he was out hunting on his rural property very early in the morning, a shot rang out. We would always get the chicken strip basket with the toast and gravy to go with it. Rogers, a 35-year-old mother of five children, was reported missing on July 3, 2015, from Bardstown. Tommy's death shocked the Bardstown community, which was still reeling from three other unsolved cases: the murder of Bardstown Police Officer Jason Ellis on May 25, 2013, the double homicide of Kathy and Samantha Netherland on April 21, 2014, and Tommy's daughter, Crystal who went missing on July 3, 2015. Police believe Nick interfered with their investigation. Should You Want To? [PREVIOUS STORY: Vigil held for Nelson County murder victims as investigation goes on]. KY 40203 Phone: 502 . Cassie jo something. Share Tommy Ballard's poster to help get the word out. The crimes left a long-lasting effect on Bardstown. Kathy Netherland, a special education teacher, and her 16 year old daughter Samantha are brutally murdered in their own home. Officer Ellis was driving home late that night in his cruiser when he stopped on Exit 34 of the Bluegrass Parkway to clear brush from the road. Ellis stopped, turned on his blue lights and got out of his cruiser to clear them. I hope for the sake of Crystal Rogers' children, that she will be properly laid to rest in the future. Tommy Ballard had been shot in the chest while hunting with his grandson. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. That disgraced Bardstown cop Nick Houck was on the same force as Ellis tickles the back of the brain; if he helped his brother cover up a murder, what else might he be responsible for? A cop, Crystal Rogers, her father, and a school teacher and her daughter were all murdered and no one knows anything about it. Since my moms been missing, life has been really hard. Less than a year after Ellis's murder, there was a gruesome discovery at a home on Springfield Road in Bardstown. Brant is a nephewof Bill Sheckles, Bardstowns mayor at the time according to WAVE 3. Kathy Netherland, a special education teacher, and her 16-year-old daughter, Samantha, were found murdered in their home on April 21, 2014. Federal agents, with help from Nelson County highway department vehicles, were continuing to zero in on a driveway and truck away pieces of concrete and materials from outside a home. It's possible you might have heard it on my podcast, Unresolved. There were no witnesses, and no arrests have been made in connection with the fatal shooting. Did Tommy know too much? Halfway around the ramp, someone had dragged a pile of branches into the roadway. Kathy Netherland was older and does not appear to have been his type. The day Tommy was killed. How do you protect your children from predators? Kentucky State Police took the lead on the investigation right away. In April 2014, nearly a year after Ellis murder, Bardstown was again rocked by the brutal double-homicide of 48-year-old Kathy Netherland and her 16-year-old daughter, Samantha. I also hope that the person(s) responsible for Crystals disappearance pay for their crime. By 7:54 AM, authorities were called to the 1400 block of Ed Brent Road for a death investigation. Her 16-year-old daughter Samantha was beaten in the head. In August of 2013, Brant Sheckles, a member of the Bardstown Money Gang, claimed the street gangwas responsible for Ellis murder. Lots of corruption. One reads: "Detectives say Brooks Houck killed Rogers". Nick later told the Kentucky State Policethat he only contacted his brother to tell him that "they might be trying to trip him up" and "he should protect himself.". [] I can't even go on the side of the road without looking like a murderer. The driveway was reportedly dug up, as agents appeared to be zeroed in on the location. Morning:Kathy and Samantha Netherland are killed. In season one, host Shay McAlister investigated five unsolved crimes in and around Bardstown, Ky. Samantha had been beaten. Both of them had cuts to their necks. Crystal RogersVictim of (Potentially) Related Crime, Jason EllisVictim of (Potentially) Related Crime, Samantha and Kathy NetherlandVictim of (Potentially) Related Crime. Her daughter, Samantha, was a 16-year-old sophomore in high school. I suspect that one or more people murdered Jason to solve a problem and Chrystal and her father were murdered by the same to solve perhaps different problems. They are tied up, tortured, and suffer knife and bullet wounds. The same day Rogers was reported missing, her car was found abandoned with a flat tire at mile marker 14 on the Bluegrass Parkway in Bardstown, Kentucky. Its free. . Tommy Ballard is killed on family property, Signs show up on the first anniversary of Tommy Ballard's death, Major Crystal Rogers update as FBI searches Bardstown farm linked to missing mom-of-5 seven years after she vanished | The US Sun, FBI searching farm in connection to KY woman who went missing in 2015 | News | WPSD Local 6, Timeline: The Disappearance of Crystal Rogers, FBI searching Bardstown farm in relation to Crystal Rogers case, FBI extends search for Crystal Rogers on Bardstown farm | whas11.com, FBI: Search on Houck family farm will continue for fourth day | whas11.com, 6 years later: Anniversary of Tommy Ballard's death follows 2nd FBI search in Crystal Rogers disappearance. It's a relatively small town and to have so many deaths and a disappearance, I assumed they all had to be related, but I have recently started to look at other ideas. Indiana true crime podcasters Ashley and Brit examine three mysterious murders and disappearances in Bardstown, Kentucky that they think may be related, including those of Crystal Rogers and her father. In a bizarre twist, on November 19, 2016, Crystals father, Tommy Ballard, was fatally shotin the chest by an unknown gunmen while out hunting. Ellis was hit multiple times and died on the side of the road. Alternately known as "The Bardstown Murders" or the "The Nelson County Murders," the area is at the center of five unsolved deaths and disappearances, which continue to inspire speculation, gossip and intrigue far beyond the county line. Lived in bardstown when all this was going down. Plus, you could smell bourbon everywhere. An unknown subject fired one shot and hit Ballard in the chest and instantly killed him. My opinion-The only explanation for their murders that I see, is that its possibly a random horrific murder. BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WKYT) -The bourbon industry in Kentucky has led to great financial gains for the Commonwealth, especially in areas where there are . Edit: Im an idiot and didnt realize where the link was from. There is a person of interest in Crystals case. Kentucky, like other parts of the country, is now grappling with different and more pervasive types of drug epidemics like heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine, which has some wondering if the drug trade has played a part in any of the Bardstown mysteries. In August of 2017, Tommy Ballard's two brothers put up a sign offering $20,000 for information leading to an arrest of the person who murdered their brother. Houck has denied involvement with Rogers'disappearance and has never been charged. Just heard about these murders, here are my thoughts: The murder of the mother and her 16 yr old daughter appears to be someone they know who absolutely had a personal vendetta against them. None, however, have led to any arrests. 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