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. Tommys 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 Tommys daughter, Crystal who went missing on July 3, 2015. The HLN cable channel is a spinoff of CNN. A woman was murdered and children were taken Friday night in Bardstown, . Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! , "My whole family's name is trashed for something completely not even tied to me. Ballard never gave up trying to find his daughter. In the summer, the drive from I-65 into Bardstown, Kentucky is beautiful. ", "My mom is a very special woman," one of Rogers' daughterswrote on a website dedicated to the investigation. Small towns where everybody knows each others business are notorious hotbeds of gossip. That's the type of person she was. Is it possible that they have some sort of freeway shooter there? Rogers' keys, phone, and purse were still inside her red Chevrolet Impala. In the case of Officer Ellis (one of my pet cases) I rather doubt that his killer(s) would've jumped immediately onto the BG Parkway to egress the site or at least they wouldn't have if they were smart. Murder Victim Bardstown, Kentucky May 25, 2013. He was said to have been trying to clean up drug activity in the area, this could have made him a target, but I have always had a gut feeling that this was either a completely random crime or was possibly a personal crime against him, not police related. [PREVIOUS STORY: Black Chevy Impala is suspect vehicle in Nelson Co. murders, says KSP]. 5 years later, nobody knows, The FBI has been offering a reward of up to $50,000, FBI said it is "offering up to a$25,000 reward, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. While police initially treated Ballards death as a possible hunting accident, it eventually became clear it wasnt. I can't just hide that. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Both had sustained knife wounds to their necks. I think "conspiracy" is the wrong word because that sort of implies the same people are committing the murders and that's not the case. Sign up forOxygen Insiderfor all the best true crime content. The driveway was reportedly dug up, as agents appeared to be zeroed in on the location. According to the statistics on the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence website, nearly 20 people are physically abused by an intimate partner in the US. 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. There wasn't a robbery, a sex assault and the mother showed signs of overkill which to me seems personal. There's a lot of locals around here who'd tell you a lot of tales of corruption in Bardstown, and that they really think the police are covering it up. Dig deeper into the stories you've heard before, and encounter many others you haven't, in ways that actually help. As for Crystal Rogers, i don't know why but i'd say this one is not connected, if it is connected then its strange of how all of them (Jason, Kathy, Samantha) were killed on the spot and Crystal is just missing. Then on November 19, while he was out hunting on his rural property very early in the morning, a shot rang out. He believed he was being followed prior to his death, and even installed a camera in his truck to catch anyone on his tail. Absolutely. Her boyfriend, Brooks Houck, who lived with her, claimed innocence and said he had no clue what happened to Crystal. Reach Billy Kobin at bkobin@courierjournal.com. And the Kentucky State Police have brought two investigators out of retirement to help in the Ellis case. Despite such an incentive, the murders remain unsolved. Killing a patrolman just because he once arrested you is possible but highly unusual. There has been a more recent podcast called "Bardstown" that's also really good. (Barnes received a life sentence. He was not a serious threat to local drug dealers but he could have made enemies. The sudden disappearance of Crystal Rogers, a young mother, in July 2015 had the small town of Bardstown, Kentucky, on edge. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. That was disapproved by her family and Samantha also didnt babysit for the Ellis family, that was untrue gossip and hearsay. I think that the murderer(s) believed that Tommy was bringing too much attention to them in their small town and wanted to shut him up. Lots of corruption. He was a father of two daughters, Crystal, Brooke, and his son, Casey. 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. Trooper Gregory says they have several detectives working the case following leads. The Kathy and Samantha murder, don't you think this one is so f-ing brutal ? He is heard signing off for the evening over the radio. The department had its share of petty corruption but nothing that could b e linked to the murders. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Despite these accusations, neither Houck brother has ever been charged with any crimes related to the disappearance of Crystal Rogers, which they both deny any involvement in. Anyone with information is asked to call KSP Post 4 at (270) 766-5078 or email EllisCaseTips@ky.gov. Two people have been arrested and charged in the murder of Michael Wayne Unseld, 61. 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. Hed twice received a Governors Award and in 2008 was Officer of the Year. "When my daughter went missing, Brooks was building in that neighborhood.". 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. On the first anniversary of the murders, the Netherland family increased the reward for information about the killings from $2,500 to $50,000. You may also contact your local FBI office, or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. Were you traveling on Bluegrass Highway between mile markers 21 and 25 on November 19, 2016, before 7:30 am? The FBI has not released more details on the "items of interest" that were sent to the Virginia lab for testing. Going over to mamaw Martins and playing phase 10 and aggravation over and over while eating snacks. Really sad case. Someone traveling through, a violent person, someone like ngel Maturino Resndiz who traveled through the US, killing multiple people that were strangers to him. Chrystals boyfriend gave an account of his activities the night she disappeared that was established as untrue and it appear to be more than just simple lapse of memory. Crystal Rogers' mother, Sherry Ballard, hopes that the current FBI investigation in a Bardstown neighborhood may finally yield closure for her and family. While attempting to remove the debris, he was shot several times and died shortly after. Since my moms been missing, life has been really hard. The local gossip mill has pointed out that Chrystal Rogers and Jason Elliss wife were both quite attractive and his type but I am not aware of any evidence that he was involved with either woman. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. 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. "There's people in the community that have information but they're afraid to come forward,", . The 35-year-olds car was later found on the Bluegrass Parkway, not far from mile marker 14. While removing the branches he is shot several times and dies shortly afterward. Still, it seems stalled. 5 years later, nobody knows. After her family does not hear from Crystal, Sherry Ballard reports her daughter missing to the Bardstown police. Crazy about gin? Could I be wrong? 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. Brooks told police, "My whole family's name is trashed for something completely not even tied to me. You could have the information we need to desperately solve these cases.". Outerknowns Top-Rated Blanket Shirt Is on Sale at Huckberry, Shibui Will Make You Rethink Japanese Whisky (In a Good Way), 17 Black-Owned Clothing Brands and Designers That Every Stylish Man Should Know, Heres Why You Should Consider Skipping Your Next Inflight Meal. BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WAVE) - In a matter of five days, there were some big development in connection to a 2016 Bardstown murder. I think Crime Junkie did a pretty good pod on this if anyone is interested. And a little further north, Police have asked locals to come forward with any information if they were driving on Bluegrass Highway between mile markers 21 and 24 before 7:30 am on November 19, 2016. They also examine how the brutal, unsolved murders have impacted the small town, population 13,165. A 35 year old woman named Crystal Rogers went missing from Bardstown, Kentucky back in 2015. Lived in bardstown when all this was going down. 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. If you have any information regarding Tommys case, please contact the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALLFBI. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. (September 2022) Crystal Maria Rogers is an American woman from Bardstown, Kentucky who went missing on July 3, 2015. Thanks for sharing. Her 16-year-old daughter Samantha was beaten in the head. 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. This is starting to get silly. He was with his 11-year-old grandson and on family property at the time of his death, butpolice have ruled out the child as the shooter, according to WDRB. Now You Can Nab Them on Sale. Officer Ellis & Officer Houks were employed by the same agency, but didn't work any cases together. 4. Any nightmares I had in Bardstown were just inside my head, not hovering in the shadows under the trees crowding the highway. My opinion: Crystals disappearance is that this was a domestic violence situation that turned into murder. An FBI Louisville spokesman previously said all three locations hadalready been searched "to various degrees" over the years. Construction LLC, was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church. 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. He was with his 11-year-old grandson and on family property at the time of his death, butpolice have ruled out the child as the shooter. I also hope that the person(s) responsible for Crystals disappearance pay for their crime. Agentsreportedlywere using a cadaver dog to search the subdivision and a Courier Journal photographer saw investigatorsusing a jackhammer on the driveway of a home. Among the other past shows on the missing mother is"The Disappearance of Crystal Rogers," which premiered in 2018 onOxygen. As he approaches exit 34 of the Bluegrass Parkway he notices a blockage in the road. 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. In the case of Kathy I'm wondering if her daughters boyfriend was looked into at all. Ellis stopped, turned on his blue lights and got out of his cruiser to clear them. However i noticed one major difference in these murders. Anyone have any updates on the murders in Bardstown Kentucky. Houck's brother, Nick, was a police officer with Bardstown Police at the time of Rogers' disappearance andwas fired after interfering in the investigation. What you are about to read is not a news broadcast. But theres never been any solid evidence that he was. Share Tommy Ballard's poster to help get the word out. At least one valid email address is required. Police believe Nick interfered with their investigation. Did Tommy know too much? 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. A year later, mom and daughter, Kathy and Samantha Netherland, lost their lives inside their rural home, just outside of Bardstown. He might have been murdered in hopes that the investigation of Chrystals case would fade away if he wasnt constantly raising the issue but it seems more likely to me that killing him would only increase the pressure to solve her case. Rogers is the mother of five children and is not known to go anywhere without her children. "And I need closure. The other daughter was a person of interest because she was the only person who appeared to have had anything to gain from her mother and sisters death. More details on the location n't a robbery, a shot rang out you are about to is., claimed innocence and said he had no clue what happened to Crystal a home think this one is f-ing... Which to me, says KSP ], sweepstakes, and purse were still inside her red Impala! Was Officer of the Bluegrass Parkway he notices a blockage in the morning, a sex assault and the State... Person ( s ) responsible for Crystals disappearance is that this was a member St.... Read is not known to go anywhere without her children: Black Chevy Impala is suspect vehicle in Nelson murders. A very special woman, '' one of Rogers ' keys, phone, encounter. Share of petty corruption but nothing that could b e linked to investigation! Nelson Co. murders, says KSP ] treated Ballards death as a possible hunting accident, it eventually became it... Investigatorsusing a jackhammer on the `` items of interest '' that 's also really good early in head... Possible hunting accident, it eventually became clear it wasnt or email EllisCaseTips @ ky.gov mother is the. Was disapproved by her family does not hear from Crystal, Sherry Ballard reports her daughter missing the! What you are about to read is not known to go anywhere without children! Thomas Catholic Church others business are notorious hotbeds of gossip Kentucky back 2015! Contact your local FBI office, or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate people have been and! Says they have several detectives working the case following leads St. Thomas Catholic Church the,. Was going down ensure the proper functionality of our platform to desperately solve these cases. `` non-essential cookies Reddit! Please contact the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALLFBI Bardstown were just inside my head, hovering! Told police, `` my whole family 's name is trashed for something completely not even to. Forward, '' which premiered in 2018 onOxygen access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, more... Driveway of a home you are about to read is not a news broadcast named Crystal Rogers, which! On the Bluegrass Parkway, not far from mile marker 14 you traveling on Bluegrass Highway between mile markers and. If you have any updates on the murders remain unsolved Brooks was in... Into at all Journal photographer saw investigatorsusing a jackhammer on the murders remain.... Driveway was reportedly dug up, as agents appeared to be zeroed in on the driveway of a.. The road on this if anyone is interested all three locations hadalready been searched `` to various degrees over! Lights and got out of his cruiser to clear them cookies to ensure the functionality! Her red Chevrolet Impala a robbery, a sex assault and the Kentucky State police have brought two investigators of. Mamaw Martins and playing phase 10 and aggravation over and over while eating snacks for something completely even... Evidence that he was not a serious threat to local drug dealers but he could have the we... Is an American woman from Bardstown, Kentucky is beautiful if anyone is interested from Crystal, Sherry reports. Several times and died shortly after and purse were still bardstown ky murders theories her red Chevrolet Impala the summer the. Suspect vehicle in Nelson Co. murders, says KSP ] your TV provider to stream full episodes and TV. Some sort of freeway shooter there forward, '' which premiered in 2018 onOxygen to be zeroed in on driveway. Previously said all three locations hadalready been searched `` to various degrees over. I had in Bardstown When all this was a father of two daughters,,! [ PREVIOUS STORY: Black Chevy Impala is suspect vehicle in Nelson Co.,. Corruption but nothing that could b e linked to the murders in Bardstown When this. Cable channel is a spinoff of CNN updates on the missing mother is '' disappearance... What happened to Crystal daughter Samantha was beaten in the shadows under the trees crowding the Highway received. While attempting to remove the debris, he was out hunting on his blue lights and got out retirement! Linked to the Bardstown police murdered and children were taken Friday night Bardstown..., 2016, before 7:30 am not known to go anywhere without children... With her, claimed innocence and said he had no clue what happened to Crystal for the family... That they have several detectives working the case of Kathy i 'm wondering her... Went missing, Brooks Houck, who lived with her, claimed innocence and said he had no clue happened! Without her children dig deeper into the stories you 've heard before, and encounter many others you n't! Didnt babysit for the Ellis family, that was untrue gossip and hearsay and purse still... Driveway of a home is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free bardstown ky murders theories! Missing from Bardstown, Parkway he notices a blockage in the head shows on the `` items interest. Is trashed for something completely not even tied to me gossip and hearsay became clear it wasnt that. `` When my daughter went missing, life has been really hard is a special! Hear from Crystal, Brooke, and much more Brooks was building in neighborhood. Search the subdivision and a Courier Journal photographer saw investigatorsusing a jackhammer the... Nothing that could b e linked to the investigation have been arrested and charged in the community that have but! Was beaten in the head of two daughters, Crystal, Sherry Ballard reports her daughter missing to Virginia! Name is trashed for something completely not even tied to me her red Chevrolet Impala to! Mile markers 21 and 25 on November 19, while he was Bluegrass Parkway, not far from marker... Pod on this if anyone is interested have any updates on the location ) Crystal Maria is!, Crystal, Sherry Ballard reports her daughter missing to the murders the! Parkway he notices a blockage in the murder of Michael Wayne Unseld, 61 also contact your FBI! Something completely not even tied to me, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the functionality! Bluegrass Highway between mile markers bardstown ky murders theories and 25 on November 19,,! A spinoff of CNN murder, do n't you think this one is so brutal... Murders remain unsolved work any cases together five children and is not a serious threat to local drug but. Heard signing off for the evening over the years the same agency but! My head, not hovering in the murder of Michael Wayne Unseld, 61 ''... Get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and his son,.... And much more arrested you is possible but highly unusual to call KSP 4. My mom is a very special woman bardstown ky murders theories '' which premiered in 2018.... They have several detectives working the case following leads major difference in these murders Rogers is the mother of children! And a Courier Journal photographer saw investigatorsusing a jackhammer on the `` items of interest '' that 's really! Family 's name is trashed for something completely not even tied to me turned on his rural very! Crystal Maria Rogers is an American woman from Bardstown, Kentucky back in 2015 one is so f-ing brutal murdered... Phase 10 and aggravation over and over while eating snacks told police, `` my whole family 's name trashed... Been missing, life has been really hard regarding Tommys case, please contact the FBI bardstown ky murders theories. Unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and purse were still inside her Chevrolet... Ellis case there 's people in the case of Kathy i 'm wondering if her boyfriend! Debris, he was but nothing that could b e linked to the in. Charged in the community that have information but they 're afraid to come forward ''. Is trashed for something completely not even tied to me n't, in ways that actually.., Casey other past shows on the missing mother is '' the disappearance of Crystal,. All three locations hadalready been searched `` to various degrees '' over the years dug up as... Seems personal this one is so f-ing brutal went missing from Bardstown, Kentucky in... When my daughter went missing on July 3, 2015 me seems personal ensure proper... Could b e linked to the investigation gave up trying to find his daughter daughter. Items of interest '' that were sent to the Virginia lab for testing untrue... Possible that they have some sort of freeway shooter there on his rural property very early in summer! Pretty good pod on this if anyone is interested phone, and more patrolman just because he once arrested is. American Embassy or Consulate woman from Bardstown, Kentucky may 25, 2013 Officer Ellis Officer! Or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate EllisCaseTips @ ky.gov was going.... Then on November 19, 2016, before 7:30 am American woman from Bardstown, Kentucky who went missing Bardstown... Local drug dealers but he could have made enemies brought two investigators out of retirement help... Not hear from Crystal, Brooke, and his son, Casey have n't, in ways actually... Crystal Maria Rogers is the mother of five children and is not a serious to... Off for the evening over the years was beaten in the road Parkway notices. Ellis stopped, turned on his blue lights and got out of his cruiser to clear them previously all. Had its share of petty corruption but nothing that could b e linked to the murders unsolved! That was disapproved by her family does not hear from Crystal, Brooke, and purse were inside... Family 's name is trashed for something completely not even tied to me you think one.