Samantha Netherland was a sophomore at Bardstown High School. One of the photos is of a smiling Ellis in his uniform, a photo that has been printed onto cards that Medley carries with him and hands out to people who may have information. 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. Those remains have yet to be identified. The case remains open as the human remains are unidentified at time. She had previously been seeing him every other weekend. Two people have been arrested and charged in the murder of Michael Wayne Unseld, 61. Cloudy skies. New Details In The Unsolved Murder Of Texas Woman Who Was Set On Fire And Left On Side Of The Road, Who Killed Lonnie Lard Anthony? And a little further north, Her family tried to contact Crystal for two days via text and calling but they were not able to reach her. 3. On May 25 2013, Officer Jason Ellis was killed after finishing his shift for the Bardstown, Kentucky Police Department. Searches have still been undertaken the Louisville Metro Police searched several waterways to no avail. Police haven't released a motive in the shooting. At the time of that call, Nick Houck himself was an officer with the Bardstown Police Department. Cold and Calculating August 24, 2018 44min TV-14 Subtitles Subtitles English [CC] Audio languages Audio languages English And Ellis focus on drug users and dealers and domestic violence situations may reveal the kind of person authorities are looking for. Every year, it gets harder and harder, said Dana Walden, one of Rogers cousins and a lifetime Bardstown resident. 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. 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The search has focused on homes built and previously owned by Brooks. 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. "As long as you never cross the line to where you're turning your story into bias reporting" said McAlister. Feb 21, 2023. By KATELYN NORRIS knorris@kystandard.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. Since McAlister's first weeks at WHAS 11, she's put together an unsolved series covering missing and murdered loved ones from around Kentucky. In August 2021, the FBI initiated a new search in the Woodlawn Springs subdivision of Bardstown. Brooks, who was the last person to have seen her alive, told the authorities that he didnt think anything was out of the ordinary when Crystal was not at home on July 4 because she was known to stay over at her relatives from time to time. Lucy Letby- Killer Nurse? The FBI is continuing to investigate the Crystal Rogers case. Bardstown Police Department Officer Jason Ellis was headed home to Bloomfield around 2 a.m. after his shift on May 25, 2013. The Bardstown community started up a big search for Crystal. He wasnt going to give up on Crystal, Till Ballard said, standing outside the FBIs search site on Monday. Pineiroa declined to speculate when those results might come back. The place where dreams are made takes a dark turn when a young crew member was reported missing. We will continue to work with the FBI and assist with anything that is needed. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Rogers has been missing more than six years. In 2020, more than 150 state and federal law enforcement officers were deployed to Bardstown and on the first day, they executed at least nine federal search warrants and conducted more than 50. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. She is presumed dead. She's come to have passion for shining a light on areas that would probably prefer to be dark. This is to compile a list of of the names of the unsolved murders in Nelson Co. The case is still unsolved. Investigators had conducted numerous searches on Houck family property, including the home of Anna Whitesides, the grandmother of Brooks Houck. Toensurethe safety of the public, he got out of his vehicle to clear the branches. She grew up moving around a lot as a child thanks to her father's business career. The checkpoint was staffed around the clock by the Nelson County sheriffs office during the day and by Kentucky State Police at night. "The FBI is committed to bringing those responsible to justice, but we are going to need the communitys assistance.". [] I cant even go on the side of the road without looking like a murderer. Hed do anything for anybody, Till Ballard said. Mother of five, Crystal Rogers has been missing from Bardstown, KY since July 3, 2015. . Kathy Netherland, 48, and her daughter, Samantha, 16, were killed inside their home on April 21, 2014. 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. It was found with a flat tyre near mile marker 14 on the Bluegrass parkway. On July 9, Brooks did an interview with Nancy Grace. The FBI announced that they had uncovered multiple items of interest. New Details On Unsolved Murder Of Kentucky Police Officer By Samantha Maffucci Written on May 29, 2019 Photo: bardstown police department When murders go unsolved for long periods of time. Ballard's death adds to a tally of unsolved murders around Bardstown, a city of 12,800 about 40 miles south of Louisville. The city is famed for its brilliantly brewed bourbon and hence has earned the nickname "Bourbon Capital of the World." Ballard said her daughter once took in a friend who didnt have anywhere to live. McAlister and her producers spent weeks in Bardstown working on the podcast. Buy HD $2.99 More purchase options 3. KSP still believes 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 knew of something or had something to do with the murders of the Netherlands. Agents were also seen using SONAR equipment. An unknown subject fired one shot and hit Ballard in the chest and instantly killed him. 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. wrote on a new website dedicated to the investigation. The keys were in the ignition and her personal belongings (keys, cellphone and purse) were found inside and scattered around the vehicle. The FBI and its law enforcement partners are seeking information about the murder of Kentucky police officer Jason Ellis. 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. Low 51F. Houck said Rogers was still up on the night of July 3 when he went to bed. 5. In June, Whitesides was served with a subpoena to testify before a Nelson County Grand Jury, but she invoked her Fifth Amendment right not to talk. But there are still unanswered questions. This HAD to be Crystal. Sometime in the evening, she was seen with three of her children buying groceries and other items. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The Bardstown, Kentucky, woman's maroon Chevrolet Impala was later found on the side of the Bluegrass Parkway with a flat tire. The first murder occurred in 2013, when Ellis, a 33-year-old husband . But if there's anything positive that came from that tragedy, it is perhaps it has helped her investigate and report with even more compassion and empathy. Whitesides lawyer said, There are lots of things, particularly in a high-profile case, where there is as frenzied an investigation as there is here that could ensnare an 82-year-old woman. Annas home was searched again in August 2016. The Ballards are currently caring for Crystals four other children full-time. Multiple items of interest potentially relevant to Rogers disappearance, Coroner: Suspect in murders of three Kentucky police officers died by suicide, New faces joining WKYT, The CW Lexington at anchor, weather desks, Lexington police officer arrested, charged with abusing a child, Man charged in murders of Kentucky police officers kills himself in jail, officials say. 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. RELATED: Who Is Carla Walker? It's been five years since Tommy Ballard of Bardstown was gunned down while hunting with his grandson. Officer Jason Ellis (d: May 25th, 2013) - ambushed and shot to death while returning home from duty. 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. The FBI returned to the subdivision every day before suspending the search on Monday due to bad weather. Family members hoped they would get answers when the FBI started a new search for evidence in her case. There were a dozen. Very nervous.. We want to thank the FBI for their assistance and teamwork over the last 18 plus months. First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. The Nelson County Sheriffs Office will continue to be the lead agency on the human remains case. 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.". Compartilhar isto . Now, McAlister is returning t Investigators showed up in the Woodlawn Springs subdivision in Bardstown on Aug. 24 and began looking for any evidence they could find. 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. She sees it both ways but makes the comparison to teachers. The brutal killings of a Nelson County mother and daughter have not been solved after almost five years, but Kentucky State Police and family members cling to hope. In 1997, Erica Lee Fraysure's car was found in a remote area of Brooksville, Kentucky. You have permission to edit this article. 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. McAlister, who continues to cover the Rogers' case and would later come to learn, investigate and follow all the unsolved cases in Bardstown, talked with the Times-Tribune about what it's been like trying to uncover the truth and juggling the lines between professional and personal as a journalist. McAlister said journalists are humans and she feels the best journalists are humans first, honoring emotions. 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. And while she thought she knew what grief was like, she had no idea. All rights reserved. They cant hold it against me that my daughter was murdered and just assume that Im going to speak badly of the father. The second search took place in the Woodlawn Springs subdivision, where Brooks Houck's construction company built several houses shortly after the disappearance of Crystal Rogers. [] Its taking a lot of energy and effort. Tommy was the second of Till and Betty Ballards children to be murdered. On July 23, 2020, Nelson County Sheriffs Office investigators became aware of the existence of human remains in a remote area near the Washington County line. London, KY (40741) Today. Beast Files Police officer Jason Ellis was gunned down in cold blood on a lonely stretch of highway. Its mind blowing, Unseld said. They havent seen their brother. If you have any information on this case, call Kentucky State Police. See additional information. Five years and a month after the disappearance of Crystal Rogers,the FBIhas taken overthe investigation and is launching a new search for the35-year-old Kentucky mother of five. On Thursday, the FBI arrived in Bardstown and executed nine search warrants related to Rogers' disappearance. This is starting to get silly. I know crystals mother cannot see the grandson that lives with his father. So, if youre curious about what happened in this case, weve got you covered. Crystal Rogers was a 35-year-old mother of five who lived in Bardstown. The skeletal remains were discovered Thursday evening, and investigators called in an FBI team to help with recovery and identification. More than five years after a Kentucky mother of five vanished without a trace, and two weeks after human bones were found 4 miles from where she was last seen alive, FBI. McAlister said she's learned that everybody has a story and that story is worthy. 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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. michael lombard actor obituary; justinas duknauskas biography; organic valley grassmilk yogurt discontinued She went missing over Fourth of July weekend in 2015. On May 25, 2013, around 2 or 3 AM, Ellis, a police officer in Bardstown, Kentucky, was killed on his way home from work. Starting in August 2021, the authorities excavated a property in Bardstown built by Brooks around the time of Crystal's disappearance. Michael Medley, its a night that continues to haunt him. Till Ballard told the Herald-Leader that Tommy believed someone was following him that week. Last year McAlister and a team of producers took a deep dive into the tragedies in Bardstown including Jason Ellis's death as they worked on a hit podcast centered around all five unsolved murders in Bardstown. SPONSORED LINKS Captain Brandon Bryan is the lead investigator on the case. 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. There is no sibling rights so they cant do anything about not seeing their brother. 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. Although she was brand new to the job, McAlister said the Rogers case immediately stood out. Did you make him suffer? Unseld said. The agency has set up a website for the case atwww.crystalrogerstaskforce.com. We would always get the chicken strip basket with the toast and gravy to go with it. Once you think you come to terms with what's going on, you're thrown into another loop of hey guess what. I just knew she wasnt. Houck has denied involvement with Rogers'disappearance and has never been charged. Weve searched the rivers, weve searched farms, houses, sinkholes, wells, any place she might be, family member Sammy Johnson said. In a statement, the agency reiterated that "several items of. "My mom is a very special woman," Rogers' daughter, K., wrote on a new website dedicated to the investigation. In November 2016, 16 months after Crystal disappeared, tragedy struck her family again. Ive never made that a secret, Sherry Ballard said of her suspicion that Houck was involved in Rogers disappearance and Tommys death. New Details On Unsolved Murder Of Kentucky Police Officer, Samantha Maffucci is an editor for YourTango, who focuses on writing trending news and entertainmentpieces, Who Killed Cordy Simmons? "I ask that members of the community think back to July 3rd and 4th of 2015," Brown said in the release. When he answered it, it was his brother, Nick Houck, telling him not to talk to investigators. A juror spoke after the verdict was handed down: It was his mistake and their mistake but 80 percent theirs, because the workers, every one of them, has only been there one or 2 months, and that one girl that came up said she lied so she wouldnt have to be a witness on the case, said Peyton Gentry, a juror in the case. On Friday August 16, 2019, Bardstown police arrested Robert Tate, 26, and charged him with murder. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.