But the 2017 search wasnt directly related to Crystals disappearance. During the summer of 2020, the FBI took over from Kentucky State Police and the Nelson County Sheriff's Office as the lead investigator inthe case, with over 150 federal agentsservingsearch warrants in August 2020 atthree sites owned by Houck and his family members. City officials held an administrative hearing on Nick Houck's actions and fired him a day later. While police initially treated Ballards death as a possible hunting accident, it eventually became clear it wasnt. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Throughout the search,police were allowing only a few cars into the subdivision and reporters were kept out. Samantha, a young, hopeful teenager, had been stabbedher throat cut. I'm innocent. 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. He was close to figuring it out too. Could he have been targeted? Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! They lived in a white tin-roofed home at 5120 Springfield Road outside Bardstown near the intersection of State Routes 150 and 605. There are currently no cases that match the selected filters. The Bardstown PD is a common denominator to all but the Netherland killings but the connections are vague. Theres also a $200,000 reward. Just 16 months later, while searching for answers, Crystal's father is murdered in cold blood. Details: On July 5, 2015, Crystal Rogers was reported missing by her mother, after she had not been seen or heard from since the evening of July 3, 2015. Her car was found on the side of a busy parkway with a flat tire, keys, wallet and phone still inside. An Amber Alert was released after police say Gray took his four children following the murder. At least one state investigator expressed to a reported that he was concerned that the murder may have involved someone in Law Enforcement. 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. The Kathy and Samantha murder, don't you think this one is so f-ing brutal ? Anyone with information is asked to call KSP Post 4 at (270) 766-5078 or email EllisCaseTips@ky.gov. 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 were all related. The day Tommy was killed. Large chunks of the driveway were hauled outof the neighborhood inconstruction trucks. He did make drug arrests that followed traffic stops but they were hardly a significant busts. The still-unsolved 2016 shooting death of 54-year-old Tommy Ballard is the most recent of four killings and a disappearance that have haunted the picturesque small town of Bardstown, Kentucky. Agentsreportedlywere using a cadaver dog to search the subdivision and a Courier Journal photographer saw investigatorsusing a jackhammer on the driveway of a home. A month later, new Bardstown Police Chief Kim Kraeszig announced the creation of a new anonymous tip line that she hopes will encourage those with information on the cases to come forward. Her 16-year-old daughter Samantha was beaten in the head. Uncovered is where the most passionate true crime enthusiasts can learn from and teach others. If you have information related to the disappearance of Crystal Rogers, please call the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI or visit www.crystalrogerstaskforce.com. But, theres also a dark side to the region. Kathy and Samantha seemed to be lovely women who should still be living their lives today. "And I do have a lot of hope that this is where the investigation needs to be at and that they may be able to provide me answers this time," Ballard said. However, a few months before the shooting, Tommy told his wife, Sherry, that he felt like someone was following him. A year later, mom and daughter, Kathy and Samantha Netherland, lost their lives inside their rural home, just outside of Bardstown. The Bardstown Netherland Murders Were A Gang Initiation, According To Anonymous Inmate When pressed for details about how he knew it was gang initiation, he said, "Well, I know they was tortured." By Aly Vander Hayden Bardstown Murders and Mysteries: Brookelyn Farthing 1:09 Preview The brush was a trapone that was sprung when someone ambushed Ellis, shooting him several times with a shotgun. It is a sad, but an almost daily occurrence in the US. Kentucky has the 11th highest femicide rate in the US. Security footage near the Netherlander home captures a black Chevy Impala that could be connected to the murders. Their bodies were discovered by a family member. Did Tommy know too much? LOUISVILLE, KY. Another search is underway relating to the 2015 disappearance of Crystal Rogers in Bardstown, Kentucky. A 35 year old woman named Crystal Rogers went missing from Bardstown, Kentucky back in 2015. Outside of work, he was heavily involved in the community including coaching youth baseball. Its 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. Morning:Kathy and Samantha Netherland are killed. Disappearance [ edit] At the time of her disappearance, the 35-year-old mother of five was living with her boyfriend, Brooks Houck, their two-year-old son, and her other children. Killing a patrolman just because he once arrested you is possible but highly unusual. After exiting his police cruiser to investigate, he was ambushed. It didnt even begin with Crystals mysterious disappearance in July 2015. As if something unpleasant was going on with them in their lives and no one knew about it. Kathy, a widow, was a special education teacher. Rogers' keys, phone, and purse were still inside her red Chevrolet Impala. No arrests have been made in connection withRogers' disappearance. 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. When Bauer pressed him for details about how he knew it was gang initiation, he said, "Well, I know they was tortured. Brant is a nephewof Bill Sheckles, Bardstowns mayor at the time according to WAVE 3. On the first anniversary of the murders, the Netherland family increased the reward for information about the killings from $2,500 to $50,000. Some Doctors Are Now Making More Dubious Claims About Ivermectin. Crystal, her father, and officer Ellis were killed near some sort of highway. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Then again, I couldnt determine whether he was even on the force in 2013. Since my moms been missing, life has been really hard. Police suspect the driver of that car may have information about the case. Maybe her daughter had nothing to do with it but could he have seen her family as "trying to break them up?". He pulls over, exits his car, and clears out the branches blocking the road. 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. 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. It was never a hunting accident. In The Disappearance of Crystal Rogers docuseries, Sherry mentions that she believes that Tommy was getting close to information about who may be responsible for Crystals disappearance. You could have the information we need to desperately solve these cases.". Copyright 2023 InsideHook. Last year, the FBI tore up a driveway in a subdivision of Bardstown whileconducting "several searches" related to the disappearance ofRogers. 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. They are tied up, tortured, and suffer knife and bullet wounds. Samantha Netherland was a sophomore at Bardstown High School. A cop, Crystal Rogers, her father, and a school teacher and her daughter were all murdered and no one knows anything about it. 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 first killing to send shock waves through the community was the 2013 murderof 33-year-old Bardstown Police Officer Jason Ellis on May 25 of that year. Here's how to watch, Courtesy of CNN Headline News (HLN), Louisville Courier Journal, As FBI searches Bardstown subdivision, Sherry Ballard hopes for 'answers this time', one of Rogers' daughterswrote on a website dedicated to the investigation, using a cadaver dog to search the subdivision, 150 federal agentsservingsearch warrants, HLN airs docu-series investigation on missing Kentucky mom Crystal Rogers, The Vanishing of Crystal Rogers Not Another True Crime Podcast, Rogers was datingBrooks Houck, an initial suspect, who is the father of one of her sons, FBI Louisville, other federal agencies search for Crystal Rogers with new warrants, Ballard told The Courier Journal she has "a lot of hope", fired after interfering in the investigation, ahome being builtby Brooks Houckwas burned, 54-year-old Tommy Ballard, was fatally shot in November 2016, Ballard's grandson, who was with him during the trip,was not responsible for Ballard's death, Kentucky State Police hired former troopers to investigate the cases, Jason Ellis, aBardstown police officerwho wasambushed in 2013, theslaying of teacher Kathy Netherland and her teenage daughter Samantha, Who killed Bardstown Officer? Former Sheriff Ed Mattingly named Brooks Houck a suspectin his girlfriends disappearance, which he believes to be a homicide. 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. In the four years following the Netherland murders, Kentucky State Police have identified no suspects or possible motive, but during the season finale of Oxygen's docu-series "The Disappearance of Crystal Rogers," reporter Stephanie Bauerspoke with ananonymous prison inmatewho claimed Kathy and Samantha were killed during a gang initiation. Both of them had cuts to their necks. I always wonder what my life would be like if she and my papaw was still here.".