Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Follow Season three, "Beyond Bardstown: Unsolved," is coming Monday, Oct. 17. Some residents live in fear, while others are angry, going as far as leaving anonymous signs in yards that pointed fingers at Houck, in connection with Crystals disappearance. He was a father of two daughters, Crystal, Brooke, and his son, Casey. 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. Bardstown Mystery: Four dead, one missing in 'the most beautiful small town in America' by Leigh Egan September 2, 2019 Tweet It's 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. Her kids need closure, but to physically hear it, its going to be so hard on us.". After exiting his police cruiser to investigate, he was ambushed. This, to me, is starting to get silly.". Unfortunately, the Ballard family went through a similar situation in 1982, when Tommys sister, Sherry Ballard, who was seven months pregnant at the time, was murdered by her then-husband, Edsel Eddie Barnes because he didnt want to pay child support. I definitely think it was all connected. Detectives found the pair brutally murdered. The day Tommy was killed. "She was nice to everyone she met. "I have been asked by the police about the relative location of chairs," said Holly. But theres never been any solid evidence that he was. The two had been beaten and killed. Kathy and Samantha Netherland (d: April 21st, 2014) - mother and daughter were horrifically beat and murdered in their home. Despite such an incentive, the murders remain unsolved. bardstown, ky. Sarah Hardin was hopeful when she saw a news article about a new special prosecutor in a series of unsolved murders in Nelson County. Something a lot of the podcasts and articles and shows dont tell you is that Jason Ellis wife is also a teacher and she worked closely with Kathy and Crystals boyfriends brother worked closely with Jason as well and their family was always known to sell drugs, it is a small enough town to know that. Both women had their throats . Nov 2, 2018 LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A three-judge panel of the Kentucky Court of Appeals ruled Friday that the 6-year-old son of Crystal Rogers, the Bardstown woman who disappeared in July. Paying a little homage to the Baard and his, "Something is rotten in Denmark." 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. Her car was found abandoned on the Bluegrass Parkwaywith her keys, phone and purse still inside. This subreddit is about unsolved mysteries. Among the other past shows on the missing mother is"The Disappearance of Crystal Rogers," which premiered in 2018 onOxygen. No, it's not. It's still getting investigated like if it were a murder investigation or homicide investigation, Kentucky State Police Trooper Jeff Gregory told WDRB. I know that they were tied to their chairs. I suspect that one or more people murdered Jason to solve a problem and Chrystal and her father were murdered by the same to solve perhaps different problems. Anyone with information is asked to call KSP Post 4 at (270) 766-5078 or email EllisCaseTips@ky.gov. Police said the Netherlands were murdered around 8 p.m. on the evening of Monday, April 21 at their home in Nelson County's Botland community. Details: On May 25 2013, Officer Jason Ellis was killed after finishing his shift for the Bardstown, Kentucky Police Department. Hed been a baseball star in college, eventually turning pro and playing for a Cincinnati Reds Minor League club for a few years in the early 2000s. Hed twice received a Governors Award and in 2008 was Officer of the Year. There's a lot of locals around here who'd tell you a lot of tales of corruption in Bardstown, and that they really think the police are covering it up. "That's not something we've ruled out either, that's a good possibility," said KSP Trooper Jeff Gregory. Ballard was struck in the chest, and died on the spot. Is Tommys murder connected to the other Bardstown unsolved cases? Crystal, her father, and officer Ellis were killed near some sort of highway. 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? I was actually told from the very beginning that it was no accident, Sherry Ballard said. Its striking to note that theres been so little progress in the investigation into the death of Officer Ellis. I think that the murderer(s) believed that Tommy was bringing too much attention to them in their small town and wanted to shut him up. Just 16 months later, while searching for answers, Crystal's father is murdered in cold blood. However i noticed one major difference in these murders. thank you for sharing contact information on each case. They lived in a small, isolated neighborhood. . The stories that my friends and I have of living near the river, most people don't want to believe. They had been killed the previous day. More on Jason Ellis: Who killed Bardstown Officer? Join Nancy Grace and a team of world-class experts for the online course Justice Nation: Crime Stops Here. Police said the Netherlands were murdered around 8 p.m. on the evening of Monday, April 21 at their home in Nelson County's Botland community. Her mother, Kathy, had both knife and bullet wounds. Noll, along with investigative reporter co-host Shay McAlister, of WHAS11 in Louisville, created Bardstown in an attempt to figure out if the crimes are connected. Any nightmares I had in Bardstown were just inside my head, not hovering in the shadows under the trees crowding the highway. May 25, 2013 was a Saturday. Crystal Rogers [Handout]On July 2, 2015, Crystal Rogers, 35, vanished from her Bardstown home off of Glenview Drive. I grew up in Kentucky, about an hour away from Bardstown. Should You Want To? I believe theyre all connected because what they dont tell you is that all of these people were closely related in one way or another. And awesome. Rogers is the mother of five children and is not known to go anywhere without her children. To ensure the safety of the public, he got out of his vehicle to clear the branches. Learn all about the latest and greatest spirits. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Investigators seemed stumped from the beginning. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. He was not a serious threat to local drug dealers but he could have made enemies. I say the police are involved. I honestly don't know the situation in Bardstown but lets say that these murders are all connected. He believed he was being followed prior to his death, and even installed a camera in his truck to catch anyone on his tail. My opinion: Crystals disappearance is that this was a domestic violence situation that turned into murder. A bullet hit Ballard in his chest while he was out hunting. Its a clich by now, but the Bardstown where I lived 27 years ago really was the kind of place where people didnt always lock their doors. Samantha Netherland was a sophomore at Bardstown High School. Their bodies were discovered by a family member. As an Eastern Kentuckian.. yeah. Anyone who owns, had access to or knows someone who was operating a 2006 to 2013 model year Chevrolet Impala matching the photograph on April 21, 2014 should call Kentucky State Police at 270-766-5078. The cop was killed in an ambush, and Crystals ex-boyfriends (the one who we all know killed her, no proof yet) brother is a cop and he told the ex-boyfriend that they were going to raid his property before it happened. When a law enforcement officer is murdered other cops are galvanized. Nick later told the Kentucky State Police, the Kentucky House of Representatives and State Senate. -, Press J to jump to the feed. It is a sad, but an almost daily occurrence in the US. FBI agents were searching a farm Monday morning connected to the man. A 35 year old woman named Crystal Rogers went missing from Bardstown, Kentucky back in 2015. The father was killed because he was ruffling feathers too close to the caseI did find it weird that Crystal owned a dark colored impala and they were presumingly looking for a black impala in the mother/daugher murders. She was a widow and in photos she looked younger than her reported age of 48. Kentucky has the 11th highest femicide rate in the US. Agentsreportedlywere using a cadaver dog to search the subdivision and a Courier Journal photographer saw investigatorsusing a jackhammer on the driveway of a home. The killer sets up the ambush and Officer Ellis stops to remove the debris from the roadway, and the killer opens fire, killing him. On May 25, 2013, Ellis, a husband and father of two young boys, clocked out of his shift at 2 a.m. and started his normal, 15-mile drive home on the Bluegrass Parkway. The cut brush that Jason Ellis stopped to remove was not actually blocking traffic and other vehicles had driven right on past as I would have done that time of night. Press J to jump to the feed. Plus, you could smell bourbon everywhere. honoring the victims of the Bardstown Murders, urging witnesses to come forward. Kentucky, like other parts of the country, is now grappling with different and more pervasive types of drug epidemics like heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine, which has some wondering if the drug trade has played a part in any of the Bardstown mysteries. Kathy, a widow, was a special education teacher. Kinda like those 2 kids who made a video after killing their classmate. I say the cops are involved and the school teacher/her daughter found out something they werent supposed to find out. Tommy had been shot in the chest from behind. There wasn't a robbery, a sex assault and the mother showed signs of overkill which to me seems personal. But she was just a kid and her mom seemed like a lovely woman as well. There was also gossip that Kathy taught Jason Ellis son at Bardstown Elementary School. Officer Ellis & Officer Houks were employed by the same agency, but didn't work any cases together. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. So, my best friend is from the area and I lived there a couple of years. As a previous "higher-up" member in unspecified "organizations," the inmate told Bauer that many people confided in him about criminal activity, including the details of Rogers' disappearance as well as two other unsolved murders in Bardstown, Kentucky the fatal shooting of 33-year-old Bardstown Police Officer Jason Ellis and the double . I think the other 3 are related. Alternately known as The Bardstown Murders or the The Nelson County Murders, the area is at the center of five unsolved deaths and disappearances, which continue to inspire speculation, gossip and intrigue far beyond the county line. Ballard never gave up trying to find his daughter. How to watch: HLN airs docu-series investigation on missing Kentucky mom Crystal Rogers. 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. While attempting to remove the debris, he was shot several times and died shortly after. While police initially treated Ballards death as a possible hunting accident, it eventually became clear it wasnt. The next mystery to befall Bardstown was the 2015 disappearance of 35-year-old Crystal Rogers. The tragic events began six years ago. It wouldnt be long before investigators ruled out his grandson who was with him as a suspect. But, theres also a dark side to the region. At first, its as if the wind carrying the scent from the distilleries lining the town perimeter makes you a little high. She went on to say her husband Tommy "was never going to give up for my daughter, and he was going to push, and I think people knew that. A title I suggest is, "Something Rotten in Bardstown." Alternately known as "The Bardstown Murders" or the "The Nelson County Murders," the area is at the center of five unsolved deaths and disappearances, which continue to inspire speculation, gossip and intrigue far beyond the county line. Both had sustained knife wounds to their necks. Chrystals father was definitely beating the drum about her disappearance/presumed murder. It's been five years since Tommy Ballard of Bardstown was gunned down while hunting with his grandson. He did make drug arrests that followed traffic stops but they were hardly a significant busts. Officer Ellis was discovered by a passing motorist. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. One of the only clues released was a blurry gas station surveillance photo of a black Chevrolet Impala. There has been gossip about the surviving daughter being involved, but I see no actual evidence of that. Father of missing woman is killed while hunting with his grandson. Kathy Netherland taught special education at Bardstown Elementary School. 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. Samantha, a young, hopeful teenager, had been stabbedher throat cut. 5 years later, nobody knows, The FBI has been offering a reward of up to $50,000, FBI said it is "offering up to a$25,000 reward, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. A seven-year veteran of the Bardstown police department and a member of the K-9 unit, Jason Ellis was ambushed and brutally gunned down at around 2-3 a.m. on May 25, 2013. Michael Wayne Unseld was shot and killed above what used to be the Broke Tee Nite Club in Bardstown in 2016. [] I can't even go on the side of the road without looking like a murderer. 7:54 AM:Tommy Ballard is killed on family property. She was in college and could date anyone she wished to. They need the FBI to get involved. Rogers parents were immediately vocal in their suspicions of boyfriend Brooks Houck. It was a savage double murderKathy had been shot several times, Samantha bludgeoned, and their throats slashed. FBI agents were searching a farm Monday morning connected to the man Rogers was in a relationship with at the time of her disappearance. Sherry Ballard said her daughter's children are now 22, 21, 19, 17 and 9. A woman was murdered and children were taken Friday night in Bardstown, . She didn't receive an inheritance when her mother and sister were killed and the idea that she killed her remaining family (her father recently passed from cancer) because they supposedly didnt like her boyfriend doesnt seem like a real motive. Complicating the investigation was that fact that Houcks brother. The 35-year-olds car was later found on the Bluegrass Parkway, not far from mile marker 14. In 2014, the brutal double-homicide of 48-year-old Kathy Netherland and her 16-year-old daughter, Samantha, rocked the town of Bardstown, Kentucky. "When my daughter went missing, Brooks was building in that neighborhood.". Bardstown today has more than doubled in population, and the shadows have grown deeper. It appears as though this murder was covered up by family members of the murderer. (Family Photo) Jasons wife was a substitute teacher who had worked at the school where Kathy worked but they have not been linked in any other way. ", The inmate also said a cellphone jammer was placed at the Netherlands' front door to "kill all the signal in the house.". In season one, host Shay McAlister investigated five unsolved crimes in and around Bardstown, Ky. According todeath certificates obtained byWAVE 3,Kathy had been shot multiple times, and Samantha had been bludgeoned in the head. I hope they receive justice in the near future. Halfway around the ramp, someone had dragged a pile of branches into the roadway. Samantha had been bludgeoned with her throat slit, while Kathy was shot numerous times. In the summer, the drive from I-65 into Bardstown, Kentucky is beautiful. I hope for the sake of Crystal Rogers' children, that she will be properly laid to rest in the future. She even let a friend stay with her because (the friend) didn't have a place to go. In the five years since Ellis murder, police have interviewed countless people of interest connected with the case and pursued myriad leads. This is starting to get silly. Their only possible clue was a black Chevrolet Impala, which had been filmed near the crime scene on April 21, 2014, the night of the murder. The six episodes in the entire "Real Life Nightmare" series, which focuses on other mysterious cases, will be available on-demand the day after the broadcast premiere via cable/satellite systems. "Pick up the phone, call the number. It's free. Both of them had cuts to their necks. On the morning of November 19, 2016, Tommy had plans to go hunting on his property with his grandson. "There's people in the community that have information but they're afraid to come forward,", . Police haven't ruled out any suspects as of now but, they are leaning towards the theory that multiple people may have been involved. A cop, Crystal Rogers, her father, and a school teacher and her daughter were all murdered and no one knows anything about it. You could have the information we need to desperately solve these cases.". Their bodies were discovered by a family member. Outerknowns Top-Rated Blanket Shirt Is on Sale at Huckberry, Shibui Will Make You Rethink Japanese Whisky (In a Good Way), 17 Black-Owned Clothing Brands and Designers That Every Stylish Man Should Know, Heres Why You Should Consider Skipping Your Next Inflight Meal. How sad all of these cases are. I'd like to think that if something happened to Mom that she would have tried to get a call off. Join Nancy Grace for her new online video series designed to help you protect what you love most your children. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. It was related to the still-unsolved murder of her father. Details: After his daughter, Crystal Rogers, disappeared in July 2015, Tommy Ballard created Team Crystal, a group of Bardstown, Kentucky, community members dedicated to finding Crystal and bringing her home. Spokesperson Lt. Michael Webb said police haven't ruled out the possibility that the cases might be connected, but offered no further details, according to The Courier-Journal. According to the statistics on the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence website, nearly 20 people are physically abused by an intimate partner in the US. Its a real place, sits between Lebanon and Danville. Share Tommy Ballard's poster to help get the word out. BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WKYT) -The bourbon industry in Kentucky has led to great financial gains for the Commonwealth, especially in areas where there are . Both Tommy and Sherry fought tirelessly to find their daughter, Crystal who went missing one year before he died. A Welcome to Bardstown sign is unnecessary, though. 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. However, Sherry has been focusing on advocating for Crystals case and believes that it will provide answers for what happened to her husband. Nick was accused ofwarning his brotherthat detectives planned to interview him and advised him not to speak with them. The Nelson County Coroner's Office reportedly said he was shot once in the chest, with the bullet entering his chest and exiting his back. A new visitor from the cityNashville to the south or Louisville to the northmight be forgiven for thinking theyre driving into nowhere. And awesome. In the fall of 2016, Tommy tells his wife Sherry that he believes he is being followed, but he is unsure of who is following him. 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. How they died is not one of the main things I want to think about.". Boyfriend likely killed her, and his police officer brother helped dispose of the body. You can live there your whole life and not know anyone. Its free. makes me wonder if someone or multiple someones werent using the parkway as their escape route in and out of town. Prior to the rash of unsolved high-profile murders, the counties around Bardstown were home to The Cornbread Mafia, rural farmers turned drug traffickers, who at their peak ran the largest marijuana production operation in the United States. While Holly was unable to confirm the inmate's claims, she said his theories about the gang initiation and trophies being taken from the crime scene were possible. Rogers wasnot known to go anywhere without her kids, according to the FBI. I hope Officer Ellis and his family receive justice soon. When Bauer pressed him for details about how he knew it was gang initiation, he said, "Well, I know they was tortured. He was a K-9 handler (narcotics dog) for the police department in addition to his patrol duties. Thanks for sharing. The FBI said it is "offering up to a$25,000 rewardfor informationleading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible" for Rogers' disappearance. Tommy tells his wife he is being followed. Ellis was hit multiple times and died on the side of the road. I hope they get justice. The parkway would've been an otherwise very empty road that late at night and almost any vehicle seen on that road between Bardstown and, say Lawrenceburg could've been possibly considered suspect at the time. Tommys death shocked the Bardstown community, which was still reeling from three other unsolved cases: the murder of Bardstown Police Officer Jason Ellis on May 25, 2013, the double homicide of Kathy and Samantha Netherland on April 21, 2014, and Tommys daughter, Crystal who went missing on July 3, 2015. FBI agents have conducted multiple searches in and near Bardstown since Rogers went missing. (I think thats coincidental), all of these happened on or in fairly close proximity to the bluegrass parkway. I have read nothing to suggest that she was anything other than a typical college student. Kathy Netherland, a special education teacher, and her 16-year-old daughter, Samantha, were found murdered in their home on April 21, 2014. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. It was as out-of-the-way and quiet a spot as you could imagine. 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. Bardstown Unsolved Murders. The brush was a trapone that was sprung when someone ambushed Ellis, shooting him several times with a shotgun. The other daughter was a person of interest because she was the only person who appeared to have had anything to gain from her mother and sisters death. Could he have been targeted? On the first anniversary of the murders, the Netherland family increased the reward for information about the killings from $2,500 to $50,000. Though just an hour south of the major metropolitan hub of Louisville, Bardstown, Kentucky, is a world away. Snow Report: The 20 Greatest Cocaine Scenes in Movie History, The Legacy of "M*A*S*H" And TV's Best Series Finales, Revisiting the True Crime Case That Inspired Edgar Allan Poe, Nobis Makes the Perfect Jacket for Every Conceivable Winter Situation, Woody Harrelson Is the Latest "SNL" Host to Deliver a Controversial Monologue, The Best Outdoor-Ready Deals From REIs Massive Winter Sale. [] It's taking a lot of energy and effort. There has been a string of unsolved murders and an unsolved disappearance in Nelson County. The Kentucky Standard reported in October 2015 that detectives believed hed killed Crystal during a fight. Jason was very active . Numerous podcasts have focused on the Crystal Rogers case. The Netherland murders appear to be unrelated but without a discernible motive, I wouldnt rule a connection out. Crystal disappeared from the home she shared with her boyfriend on Glenview Drive in Bardstown. Bardstown today has more than doubled in population, and the shadows have grown deeper. Reach Billy Kobin at bkobin@courierjournal.com. He was the Bardstown PDs K-9 Officer. He pulls over, exits his car, and clears out the branches blocking the road. They lived in a white tin-roofed home at 5120 Springfield Road outside Bardstown near the intersection of State Routes 150 and 605. As if something unpleasant was going on with them in their lives and no one knew about it. Bourbon Town Mystery, produced by the HLN Investigations team, takes a deep dive into the disappearance of Rogers. in Cincinnati, Ellis was fatally shot multiple times with a 12-gauge shotgun. Tommy's family announces reward of $20,000. Morning:Kathy and Samantha Netherland are killed. As the Kentucky Standard reported after she vanished, her aunt Sherry Ballard Barnes disappeared in January 1979. Despite these accusations, neither Houck brother has ever been charged with any crimes related to the disappearance of Crystal Rogers, which they both deny any involvement in. In 2019, ahome being builtby Brooks Houckwas burned down inwhat city officials said was anarson case. Replies analysing and speculating over the mystery and possible explanations are encouraged. With a population of just over 14,000. and also boasts of being the Bourbon Capital of the World, due to the presence of six major whiskey distilleries in town. "Pick up the phone, call the number. But, theres also a dark side to the region. If you have information related to the disappearance of Crystal Rogers, you can visit crystalrogerstaskforce.com,call the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI,contact your local FBI officeor get in touch with the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. More telling than that: Investigators reportedly found a blanket with small traces of blood in the trunk of Nicks police cruiser. Where the case stands today. The FBI reportedly said the residents of the property that investigators and construction equipment focused on had no connection to the case, and the federal agency said it will pay for any repairs to the property. [] It's taking a lot of energy and effort. Houck was under suspicion immediately. What Exactly Is Rizz? To watch the 2018 series, visitOxygen's site. My opinion-The only explanation for their murders that I see, is that its possibly a random horrific murder.

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