Suspect In Crystal Rogers Case May Be Connected To The Murder Of Her Father

Crystal Rogers, a Kentucky mother of five who is now presumed dead, was last seen on July 3, 2015. Her boyfriend, Brooks Houck, has been charged in connection with her disappearance, and authorities believe he may also be connected to her father’s 2016 murder.

Brooks Houck is now in jail on charges relating to the disappearance of Crystal Rogers. During his arraignment in Bardstown, Kentucky, on Oct. 5, 2023, the special prosecutor Shane Young revealed that Brooks’ brother, Nick Houck, is a suspect in the murder of Crystal’s father, Tommy Ballard, reported WDRB.

Ballard was fatally shot in the chest on Nov. 19, 2016. He was killed while preparing to go hunting with his young grandson at the family’s property in Nelson County. His death was initially ruled a hunting accident, but the FBI has now ruled it a homicide.

Young revealed that a rifle was purchased from Nick Houck, Brooks’ brother, using a false name, and that gun is suspected of being the one used to murder Ballard.

"We are investigating the murder of Tommy Ballard that could potentially be related. We are waiting for testing to come back on the gun that we believe was used to murder Tommy Ballard," Young explained, according to WDRB.

Young also explained that Nick Houck and other family members secretly recorded their testimonies during grand jury proceedings. Young said he hasn’t known anyone to do that previously. He then said how everyone in the courtroom knew they needed to record their testimonies to make sure their stories were all consistent.

Brooks Houck pleaded not guilty, but he is being held on a $10 million bond at the Nelson County Jail. According to PEOPLE, he is being charged with the murder of Rogers and tampering with physical evidence.

Although Crystal Rogers, who shares one of her children with Brooks Houck, has not been seen or heard from since July 3, 2015, her family remains hopeful that she will be found. Her mother reported her missing two days after she was last seen alive, and her vehicle – a Chevrolet Impala – was later found in Bardstown. It had her phone, purse, and keys inside, reported CNN.

After Brooks Houck’s arraignment, the Rogers family shared a statement. CBS News shared that it said, in part, "Brooks Houck was named the number one suspect in Crystal's case in 2015. ... At this time, we ask for privacy as this is another step forward for justice for Crystal. Continue to pray that justice is served, and we bring Crystal home."