What happened to Crystal Rogers? FBI vows to crack case 8 years after mom-of-five vanished from Fourth of July party
BARDSTOWN, KENTUCKY: It's been eight years since Crystal Rogers, a mother-of-five from Kentucky, was last seen alive at a Fourth of July party at a farm in Bardstown, located 40 miles south of Louisville. As the anniversary approaches, the FBI has renewed its commitment to solving the case, stating that significant progress has been made within the last year.
Rogers was reported missing by her family on July 5, 2015. Her car, a maroon Chevy Impala, along with her keys, phone, and handbag were discovered abandoned on the Bluegrass Parkway. Her boyfriend and the father of her youngest child, Brooks Houck, is regarded as the last person to have seen her alive. As the 8th anniversary of her disappearance approaches, the FBI released a statement.
FBI's renewed efforts
In a statement, the FBI Louisville expressed its dedication to bringing closure to Rogers' family and the Bardstown community, "This July 3rd marks the eighth anniversary of the disappearance of Crystal Rogers. Over the last year, FBI Louisville has made significant progress in bringing this case to its rightful conclusion. Crystal's family, and the Bardstown community, deserve justice. We continue to pursue every available lead until those responsible for Crystal's disappearance are held accountable."
However, the FBI acknowledged that there are still individuals in the Bardstown community who have not come forward with details about Rogers' disappearance. Urging cooperation, the agency stated, "We know that there are still people in the community who have not come forward with details of Crystal's disappearance. It's never too late. If you know something, we urge you to contact the FBI at 502-263-6000 or tips.fbi.gov."
What happened to Crystal Rogers?
Rogers was reported missing by her family on July 5, 2015. On that same day, her father, Tommy Ballard, made a chilling discovery. "I found her keys, her purse, her cell phone not charged, and the diaper bag in the car," Ballard disclosed at the time. The car, a maroon Chevy sedan, had a flat tire and was parked on the side of the Bluegrass Parkway. The last confirmed sighting of Rogers was on July 3, 2015, when her cousin saw her leaving a Walmart. Later that evening, she reportedly had plans for a date night with her boyfriend, Brooks Houck. When questioned, Houck claimed that upon waking up the next day, Rogers was no longer there. Despite being named the main suspect in the case, Houck has neither been arrested nor charged in connection with Rogers' disappearance. He has vehemently denied any involvement.
The investigation took a troubling turn when Brooks Houck's brother, Nick Houck, was fired from the Bardstown Police Department for interfering with the case. Additionally, another individual connected to the Houck family, Danny Singleton, faced 38 counts of perjury for lying to detectives during the investigation. He later pleaded guilty to lesser charges of false swearing. The Rogers family, particularly Crystal's father, Tommy, continued to raise questions about her disappearance. However, their search for answers took a tragic turn when, 16 months after Rogers vanished, Tommy was fatally shot by an "unknown subject" while preparing for a hunting trip with his 12-year-old grandson.
FBI's intensive search
Reflecting on the passage of time since her daughter's disappearance, Sherry Ballard, Rogers' mother, expressed disbelief. "The FBI, and everyone involved, is working extremely hard to find justice for Tommy and Crystal," she stated, as quoted by local ABC affiliate WHAS. "I want to say thank you to everyone for all their love and prayers. It's meant a lot to me, and one day God will answer them all." Throughout the years, the FBI has remained dedicated to unraveling the mystery surrounding Rogers' disappearance. This commitment has led investigators to conduct multiple searches at various locations. Most recently, a search warrant was executed at a farm in Nelson County, belonging to Brooks' family. The property is registered under his mother, Rosemary Houck.
Sherry reportedly never trusted Brooks from the beginning. "I know what kind of relationship they had and how he treated her," she told WDRB. "And the minute that I knew she wasn't in contact with anyone, then that's when I knew something was definitely wrong." The investigation into Rogers' disappearance has traversed multiple law enforcement agencies over the years, starting with the Nelson County Sheriff's Office and then being transferred to the Kentucky State Police before ultimately landing with the FBI in 2020.
Throughout this time, numerous searches have taken place, including at the Houck family farm, the residences of Brooks and Nick Houck, as well as a storage unit linked to Rogers. "The FBI guy that I work with is busting his butt — and I mean literally busting his butt — to find answers for my family," Sherry said. "And, you know, he's very good at his job."
Ongoing investigation
In 2021, the FBI ripped up the driveway of a home built by Brooks in their relentless pursuit of evidence. Most recently, in 2022, the FBI returned to the Houck farm for a five-day search. During the most recent search, the FBI stated that they were "conducting judicially authorized activity... in relation to the federal investigation into the disappearance of Crystal Rogers." Although evidence was collected during the search, the specific details of the findings have not been disclosed.
As the investigation into Rogers' disappearance continues, the FBI, in collaboration with her family, remains determined to uncover the truth and bring those responsible to justice. If you possess any information that could assist in the investigation, please contact the FBI at 502-263-6000 or make a tip online. With each passing year, the search for answers in the case of Rogers intensifies, ensuring that her memory remains alive and that justice will be served.