Family Life and Relationship with Brooks Houck: Crystal Rogers was a 35-year-old mother of five from Bardstown, Kentucky. With her tall 5-foot-9 frame, long blonde hair, and vibrant personality, she was a well-known and easily recognizable figure in her small-town community. Friends and family described her as devoted, compassionate, and fiercely committed to her children’s well-being.

By 2015, Crystal was living with her longtime boyfriend, Brooks Houck, on a rural property in Bardstown. The couple shared a 2-year-old son named Eli, and Crystal’s four other children from previous relationships also lived with them. According to her mother, Sherry Ballard, Crystal was determined to keep her family together and was committed to working through challenges in the relationship for the sake of the children.

Despite this resolve, friends and family noticed underlying tension in the home. Crystal occasionally voiced concerns and frustrations about Brooks, though she remained focused on creating a stable and loving environment for her kids.

Disappearance: According to Brooks Houck, the last time he saw Crystal was shortly after midnight on July 3, 2015. He claimed she stayed up playing games on her phone while he went to bed. When he woke up the next morning, she—and her car—were gone.

Two days later, on July 5, 2015, Crystal’s mother reported her missing after multiple unanswered calls and messages. That same afternoon, a family member found Crystal’s red Chevrolet Impala abandoned along the Bluegrass Parkway. The car had a flat tire, and inside it were Crystal’s purse, cellphone, and keys—items she was known never to leave behind.

Timeline:

2015 – Disappearance & Early Investigation

• July 3, 2015 – Crystal Rogers, 35, was last seen at the family farm of her then-boyfriend, Brooks Houck, in Bardstown, Kentucky. He later told investigators she went to bed playing on her phone
• July 5, 2015 – Crystal’s red 2007 Chevy Impala was discovered at mile marker 14 on the Bluegrass Parkway with a flat tire. Keys, phone, and purse were left inside. That same day, her mother reported her missing
• July 8 & 15, 2015 – Investigators interviewed Brooks Houck; during questioning, his brother Nick Houck (a Bardstown PD officer) called him mid-interview, advising him not to cooperate. Nick failed a polygraph test shortly after
• July 9, 2015 – Brooks Houck appears on Nancy Grace, asserting, “I’m 100% completely innocent.”
• Mid-July 2015 – Nick Houck fails a polygraph. A detective tells him: “The questions you’re having problems with are the questions about Crystal…”
• July 24, 2015 – Multiple searches conducted at the Houck property.
• October 16, 2015 – Crystal was officially presumed dead. Brooks was named a person of interest, and Nick was fired for interfering in the case Nelson County Sheriff Ed Mattingly announced he believed Crystal Rogers was dead and publicly named Brooks Houck, her boyfriend, as the sole suspect in her disappearance. Despite numerous search warrants executed on Houck family properties, Brooks was not charged at the time.

2016 – Expanding Probe & Family Tragedy

• November 19, 2016 – Crystal’s father, Tommy Ballard, who had been actively advocating for his daughter, was shot and killed during a hunting trip on his property. His death remains unsolved. In the weeks prior, Tommy told Sherry he believed he was being followed. The FBI has since ruled his death a homicide, although Kentucky State Police have not formally classified it as such.

Sherry Ballard – Mother & Advocate

• Sherry believes Tommy’s death is connected to Crystal’s disappearance. She told WDRB:
• “When that happened to my husband, […] I knew it was no accident.”
• She has publicly speculated Crystal may have overheard information tied to the unsolved 2013 murder of Bardstown Police Officer Jason Ellis.
• She also connects Crystal’s case to other unsolved Bardstown murders, including:
• April 2014 murder of Kathy Netherland, 48, and her daughter Samantha, 16.
• Sherry has called on Kentucky legislators to pressure law enforcement to solve these cases.

June–July 2018 – Brooks Houck Theft Arrest

• After years of silence, Brooks gave a brief interview to WDRB, stating: “I have been advised… to ride the wave and keep on keeping on. And that’s what I’ve done and it’s worked out great this far.”
• July 18, 2018 – Brooks was arrested on four felony counts of theft for allegedly stealing over 200 bundles of roofing shingles from Lowe’s in April 2018.
• Police seized three evidence bags and a computer modem from his home. He was released on $25,000 bond the next day.

2020 – 2021

• August 2020 – The FBI took over the investigation, conducting searches at multiple properties linked to the Houcks
• August 2021 – FBI digs at Woodlawn Springs subdivision (developed by a Houck affiliate) yielded an “item of interest”
• October 2022 – Additional searches of the Houck family farm executed

2023 – Indictments & Arrests

• January 2023 – Special prosecutor Shane Young was appointed by the Kentucky Attorney General
• June 21, 2023 – A grand jury indicted Joseph Lawson on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with evidence
• August 15, 2023 – Joseph Lawson was arrested
• September 27, 2023 – Brooks Houck is indicted for murder and tampering with evidence. He is arrested and remains in custody pending trial. Prosecutors reveal they believe the firearm used to murder Tommy Ballard was purchased by an undercover agent from Nick Houck, who used a fake name.
• December 6–8, 2023 – Steven Lawson (Joseph’s father) was arrested on similar charges
• December 18, 2023 – Crystal’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Brooks Houck

2024 – Trial Preparations

• February 12, 2024 – Joseph Lawson’s bond was reduced from $500,000 to $250,000
• March 7, 2024 – Brooks Houck requested to have his and Joseph Lawson’s trials moved from Nelson County
• September 4, 2024 – FBI conducted another search at a Bardstown home tied to Nick Houck
• October 7, 2024 – Judge granted venue change to Warren County (Bowling Green)
• November 5, 2024 – Court determined separate trials: Steven Lawson solo, while Brooks and Joseph would go to trial jointly

2025 – Trials Underway

Remains: Crystal’s body has never been found; her family continues to campaign for closure and justice.
Convictions: Steven Lawson is already convicted and serving a 17-year term.

• January 9, 2025 – Steven Lawson’s trial was delayed to May to allow time for evidence review
• March 26, 2025 – A judge allowed hair testing from items found nearly a decade ago for Brooks Houck’s case
• May 27, 2025 – Steven Lawson’s trial began in Bowling Green
• May 30, 2025 – He was convicted on both counts—conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with evidence—and sentenced to 17 years
• June 24, 2025 – Jury selection commenced for Brooks Houck and Joseph Lawson’s joint trial
• June 25, 2025 – Opening statements delivered; first witnesses testified, including Detective Jon Snow, who detailed early investigative steps and timeline of Brooks Houck’s activities the night of July 3

Crystal Rogers Investigation & Related Events Timeline (2015–2024)

2015:

July 3, 2015

• The last day Rogers was seen Rogers was last seen alive on July 3, 2015: Her cousin said she saw Rogers walking out of Walmart earlier in the day. Rogers’ ex-husband said she dropped off two of their children at his house.
• Crystal’s amily members said Crystal Rogers had a “date night” with boyfriend Brooks Houck: Houck told police they were at his mom’s farm, feeding the cows. When they returned home, Houck said Crystal Rogers stayed up while he went to bed. “So you go to bed, she stays up,” a detective says during an interview with Houck. “What’s she doing?” “She’s just on her phone, playing, I don’t know what game, but she normally plays a game,” Houck said.

July 4, 2015

• Police report filed: Brooks Houck told police Rogers was gone when he woke up the next day.
• In a police interview, Houck said the child he had with Rogers was in the bed with him. He said he and baby went to his mother’s farm for the Fourth of July, telling police Rogers did not pick up when he called her. When Crystal Rogers did not answer the phone, her mother Sherry Ballard said she began to worry, they continued calling and started to looking for her around town.

July 5, 2015

• Crystal Rogers’ car found: Someone spotted Rogers’ maroon Chevy sedan parked on the side of the Bluegrass Parkway and called her father, Tommy Ballard. When Ballard arrived at the location, he found her keys, purse, and uncharged cell phone inside the car. Dozens of friends and family members spent the rest of the day searching the highway and its surrounding areas. Family members mentioned that Houck never offered to help in the search for his missing girlfriend.

July 6, 2015

• Family Announces Reward; Crystal Rogers’ family offers a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest or discovery of her whereabouts.

July 7, 2015

• Police interview interrupted: Brooks Houck was interviewed by police at the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office. Jon Snow, the lead detective on the case, asked Houck about the last few days he spent with Rogers. Houck explained that they had a disagreement regarding her children, although he insisted it was not an argument. The interview was interrupted by Houck’s older brother, Nick, who was a police officer in Bardstown at the time. Nick advised Brooks to leave the interview, and that is precisely what Brooks did.

July 9, 2015

• Brooks Houck Appears on Nancy Grace: Under public scrutiny, Brooks does a national interview with Nancy Grace. He admits the relationship with Crystal was “stressed” but denies any involvement in her disappearance.

July 10, 2015

• Searching Houck’s property:  The Nelson County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the Houck family farm, which is the last known location where Rogers was seen alive. “According to the information we have, this property is the last place she was reported to be,”

July 15, 2015

• Nick Houck interviewed Kentucky State Police detectives interviewed Nick Houck days later. Houck initially refused to sit down with investigators, but was ordered to do so by then-Bardstown Police Chief Rick McCubbin. The detectives told Nick Houck they found bodily fluids in the trunk of his vehicle, and he could not explain why.

October 2015

• Brooks Houck named prime suspect: Sheriff Ed Mattingly first announced Rogers was officially presumed dead. “There’s certain things that people do when they’re on this earth and she has vanished from Earth,” Mattingly said. “I think its safe to say that she’s dead.” Houck’s brother was fired from the Bardstown Police Department for not only interfering with his brother’s interview, but failing a polygraph.

December 16, 2015 – 5:00 PM

• Danny Singleton Arrested: Brooks Houck’s close friend and employee, Danny Singleton, is arrested on 38 counts of perjury for allegedly lying under oath during the investigation. He later pleads guilty and serves six months in jail.

2016

July 6, 2016

• Custody Battle Begins: Crystal’s parents, Tommy and Sherry Ballard, file for custody of Crystal and Brooks’ son.

2017

November 19, 2017

• One-Year Anniversary of Tommy Ballard’s Death: On the anniversary of Tommy’s death, yellow signs appear around Bardstown stating: “Detectives say Brooks Houck killed Rogers.”

2018

March 21, 2018

• State Resolution Passed: The Kentucky House and Senate pass a resolution acknowledging three missing persons and six unsolved murders in Nelson and Marion Counties, including Crystal Rogers.

July 27, 2018

• Brooks Houck Again Denies Involvement: When asked for comment, Brooks says: “I don’t have anything to say… because I don’t know anything.”

2019

August 21, 2019 – Evening

• Houck Property Set on Fire: A partially-built home owned by Brooks Houck is intentionally set on fire. Authorities suspect possible arson by disgruntled employees of Houck Rentals.

2020

July 23, 2020 – Day

• Human Remains Discovered: Human remains are found near the Nelson–Washington County line. The Rogers family is informed.

November 9, 2020 – Day

• FBI Releases Surveillance Photos: FBI Louisville releases new surveillance images of a white SUV and red SUV seen near the My Old Kentucky Home campground and Balltown Road around the time of Crystal’s disappearance.

November 20, 2020 – Day

• Remains Not a Match: The FBI confirms that the human remains found in July are not those of Crystal Rogers.

2021

August 24, 2021 – Day

• FBI Conducts New Searches: Based on evidence gathered, the FBI conducts multiple searches in the Woodlawn Springs subdivision, a development built by Brooks Houck.

2023

September 11, 2023

• Joseph Lawson Arrested: Joseph Lawson is arrested and charged in connection to Crystal Rogers’ 2015 disappearance.

September 27, 2023

• Brooks Houck Arrested: Federal agents arrest Brooks Houck. He is charged with murder and evidence tampering.

December 6, 2023

• Steven Lawson Indicted: Steven Lawson (Joseph’s father) is indicted by a grand jury for conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence.

2024

March 14, 2024

• Motion to Consolidate Cases Filed: Commonwealth Attorney seeks to consolidate the trials of Brooks Houck, Joseph Lawson, and Steven Lawson, arguing the crimes are connected.

April 26, 2024

• Trial Relocation Approved: Attorneys for both sides agree to move the trial 150 miles away from Nelson County. A judge is pending approval.

June 14, 2024

• Dig Site Linked to Crystal Confirmed: Nelson County Circuit Court records confirm that a dig site previously investigated by WAVE News is a possible burial site for Crystal Rogers’ body.

 June 2024

• FBI Searches 2 Properties on Whitesides Road: Federal agents conduct new searches at properties formerly owned by Brooks Houck’s family in connection to the murder case.

Brooks Houck Officially Named a Suspect

• Nelson County Sheriff Ed Mattingly announced he believed Crystal Rogers was dead and publicly named Brooks Houck, her boyfriend, as the sole suspect in her disappearance.
• Despite numerous search warrants executed on Houck family properties, Brooks was not charged at the time.
• June–July 2018 – Brooks Houck Theft Arrest – After years of silence, Brooks gave a brief interview to WDRB, stating: “I have been advised… to ride the wave and keep on keeping on. And that’s what I’ve done and it’s worked out great this far.”
• July 18, 2018 – Brooks was arrested on four felony counts of theft for allegedly stealing over 200 bundles of roofing shingles from Lowe’s in April 2018.
• Police seized three evidence bags and a computer modem from his home. He was released on $25,000 bond the next day.

Nick Houck – Former Bardstown Police Officer

• Brother of Brooks Houck. Early in the investigation:
• He called Brooks mid-police interview and urged him not to cooperate.
• Refused to attend initial questioning.
• Later failed an FBI polygraph, telling the examiner:
• “I don’t give a goddamn what your f*cking computer said… I don’t like it when people call me a liar.”
• Fired for interfering with the investigation.
• August 2016 – Police executed a search warrant at his home.
• Never charged, but in 2025 testimony, prosecutors revealed Nick is considered an active co-conspirator in Crystal’s disappearance.

Anna Whitesides – Houck Family Matriarch

• Brooks and Nick’s grandmother.
• In June 2016, invoked the Fifth Amendment after being subpoenaed regarding a white Buick she owned at the time of Crystal’s disappearance.
• Police believed the car was connected to the case.
• Her home was searched in August 2016 and July 2017. During the second search, they were reportedly looking for “bullets and a reloader”—possibly tied to Tommy Ballard’s death.
• The Buick was eventually released after being examined. No charges were brought.

Other Key Figures

Sheriff Ed Mattingly

• Initially praised Brooks Houck’s cooperation, but later reversed course.
• October 2015 – Publicly labeled Brooks as the main suspect.
• December 2017 – Retired from the sheriff’s office amid looming pension reforms in Kentucky.

Danny Singleton

• A longtime friend and employee of Brooks Houck.
• December 2015 – Indicted for perjury in relation to the Rogers investigation.
• July 2016 – Pleaded guilty to 38 counts of false swearing and was released from jail.

Timeline of the Houck brothers:

July 3: Crystal Rogers is last seen by Brooks Houck

July 5: Rogers’ car is found abandoned on the Bluegrass Parkway with a flat tire, and she is officially reported missing

July 8: Brooks Houck is interviewed by the Nelson County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO), during which his brother calls him and allegedly tells him not to talk to the detective.

July 9: Nick Houck testified in front a grand jury, leading investigators to suspect his involvement in the case. His police cruiser is confiscated and searched. The lead detective in the missing person case calls Houck and asks him to come in for an interview, which he refuses, saying “I have nothing to tell you.”

July 10: Chief McCubbin speaks with Nick, telling him to fully cooperate and meet with the detective. Houck again refuses, saying if he “knew anything he would have already told him.”

July 15: Nick is interviewed by Kentucky State Police and discusses when he can take a polygraph test in the coming days. Nick suggests Monday, July 20.

July 20: The FBI calls Nick asking him to come in for a polygraph, at which time he refuses because he is off duty.

July 24: Houck is on duty when the FBI again asks him to take a polygraph test. He agrees. The polygraph examiner then called Chief McCubbin to express his “grave concerns” with the results.

Sept 9: Nick is suspended from BPD

Oct 14: Nick signs an affidavit saying he told Brooks to fully cooperate with NCSO detectives

Oct 15: A hearing is held in the mayor’s office to discuss Nick’s possible termination

Oct 16: Nick is fired and Brooks is named a suspect