FBI arrest man eight years after mum-of-five's chilling disappearance

27 September 2023 , 13:37

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Brooks Houck was arrested Wednesday, nearly eight years after the disappearance of Crystal Rogers, which he's being indicted for

A man has finally been arrested after a years-long investigation into the disappearance of Crystal Rogers, a mother-of-five. The FBI released a statement saying they arrested ex-boyfriend Brooks Houck this morning.

"In coordination with the Kentucky State Police, other local and federal law enforcement partners, FBI Louisville has been laser-focused on our commitment to hold accountable those that were responsible for the disappearance of Crystal Rogers," the statement reads. "Today, we take a significant step in making good on that promise."

It goes on to say that they arrested Brooks Houck "without incident on charges stemming from the Crystal Rogers investigation." But the indictment remains sealed — the dirt the authorities have on Houck remains a mystery.

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Crystal Rogers, who disappeared eight years ago (YouTube/WAVE3Newstv)

They hinted at the indictment being unsealed at an unspecified date in early October, when Houck will be arraigned in the Nelson County Circuit Court near Louisville. Crystal Rogers disappeared over Fourth of July weekend in 2015, having last been seen on July 3 of that year, according to NBC. Her red Chevrolet Impala was found days later, abandoned near mile marker 14 on Bluegrass Parkway.

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Her keys, phone and purse were still inside, FBI Louisville told the publication. It was two days later on July 5 that she was reported missing by her mother, sparking the infamous investigation. She had last been seen alive with Houck, who was her boyfriend, near her Bardstown home, where the couple lived with their young son and Rogers' four other children. She had been at a Walmart.

A missing poster for Crystal Rogers is pictured. The mum-of-five remains missing (YouTube/WAVE3Newstv)

But not having enough evidence at the time, the police never charged Houck — that is, until now. The Kentucky man has repeatedly denied his involvement in Roger's disappearance. Nelson County Sheriff Ed Mattingly told NBC at the time he believed Rogers to be dead, but her body was never found — the case remains a mystery. It garnered such widespread attention that a TV special was created on it, titled "The Disappearance of Crystal Rogers," which featured six episodes. It aired in 2018 and can currently be streamed on Amazon Prime.

But the case may be cracking now after Houck's arrest, which follows the arrest of 32-year-old Joseph L. Lawson earlier this month. Lawson was also indicted in the Nelson County Circuit Court and charged with criminal conspiracy to commit murder and complicity in tampering with physical evidence.

Joseph Lawson was also arrested in connection to Rogers' disappearance (Grayson County Detention Center)

The shooting death of Rogers' father, Tommy Ballard, also remains a mystery. He was shot and killed by an unknown person as he prepared to go hunting back in November 2016.

It's unclear whether the cases are connected, but his murder is yet unsolved. The FBI's website lists his murder on Rogers' page, however, implying that they are, in fact, connected. It's filed under "Related Cases."

They also said they're offering a reward of up to $25,000 (£20,602) for information "leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible." It's also unclear whether or not the agency is looking into other suspects in relation to Rogers' disappearance.

Jeremiah Hassel