Who Killed Jason Ellis? Our website services, content and products are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The place where dreams are made takes a dark turn when a young crew member was reported missing. Samantha Netherland was a sophomore at Bardstown High School. She also said that Tommy believed he was being followed in the days before his death. The custody dispute between Sherry and Brooks over Eli is still ongoing. She knows now that just because someone is smiling doesn't mean there's not tragedy or grief just beneath that smile. FBI officials said they would work with the IRS, Kentucky State Policeand the U.S. Attorneys Office to bring a "fresh perspective" to the case, which has attracted national attention over the years as family members in Nelson County and investigators seek answers. I feel discriminated against, she told Oxygen.com. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Officer Ellis was discovered by a passing motorist. Although detectives considered Houck a suspect, he was never charged in connection with Crystal's disappearance. July 3, 2015, seemed like a typical day at the outset for her. We will continue to work with the FBI and assist with anything that is needed. The city is famed for its brilliantly brewed bourbon and hence has earned the nickname "Bourbon Capital of the World." Sheriff Ed Mattingly said at that time that Houck was fully cooperating with the investigation. Ive never made that a secret, Sherry Ballard said of her suspicion that Houck was involved in Rogers disappearance and Tommys death. Jason Ellis, a 33-year-old police officer and father of two, was. In 2017, Kentucky State Police hired former troopers to investigate the cases of both Rogers and Jason Ellis, a Bardstown police officer who was ambushed in 2013 and killed by at least two. A massive search for her turned up more questions than answers, frustrating the authorities and loved ones alike. He was building the houses around the same time Rogers went missing, Sherry Ballard said. They lost a mother. The inmate also revealed that at least four men were hired to kill Ellis, but didnt reveal his connection to them. Brandon Lawson The 911 call that led to a mysterious disappearance. Till said it felt like theyre living that grief all over again. It is thought to be cyanobacteria, which is a gelatin-like substance. Crystals family also announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to her. I just cant understand why we havent got to see that baby yet., On October 16, 2015, Brooks brother Nick Houck was fired from the Bardstown Police Department for allegedly interfering with the investigation of Crystal Rogers disappearance, according to NBC affiliate WLEX. They dont seem to be in NAMUS as far as I can see oversight or have they been identified? She hadnt been seen or heard from since July 3, according to the FBI. Ellis stopped, turned on his blue lights and got out of his cruiser to clear them. Lucy Letby- Killer Nurse? The Sheriffs Office had been investigating the remains since at least Friday, and several people reported seeing the FBI vehicle come through Bardstown. In late July human remains were found on the edge of Nelson County. He stopped along Exit 34 on the Bluegrass Parkway to clear debris from the exit ramp, and was shot multiple times. Someone, perched on top of the stone cliff above him, fired a shotgun. When that happened to my husband, wife Sherry Ballard told WDRB, it was no accident. Sherry believes Tommy was getting close to finding out what happened to Rogers before he was killed. But Brooks Houck, Rogers boyfriend at the time of her disappearance and a suspect in the case, owns multiple homes in the neighborhood. Could the Cats still play in Louisville? Captain Brandon Bryan is the lead investigator on the case. As an aside, and perhaps strangely for such a small town (13,094 in 2019), there are other unsolved murders in Bardstown. Nobody could get a hold of her.. They found her car with her purse, cell phone, scattered on the ground around the car but no sign of her. They cant hold it against me that my daughter was murdered and just assume that Im going to speak badly of the father. 3. Its mind blowing, Unseld said. BARDSTOWN, Ky. (WAVE) - In a matter of five days, there were some big development in connection to a 2016 Bardstown murder. According to an anonymous inmate, who spoke with reporter Stephanie Bauer and retired homicide detective Dwayne Stanton about Crystal Rogers disappearance, revealed that he knew something about Ellis murder. The image of seeing your best friend, your best partner it never goes away, she said. 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. The Bardstown community started up a big search for Crystal. I dont need an attorney. Crystal Rogers was a 35-year-old mother of five who lived in Bardstown. He wasnt going to give up on Crystal, Till Ballard said, standing outside the FBIs search site on Monday. About a year later, his grandmother refused to testify in relation to a vehicle that the authorities believed was hers and may have been used to dispose of a body. According to Medley, It was a hard time there for about a year, year and a half. But in the spring of 2011, Rebecca was never seen again. It was Crystals mother, Sherry, who went to the authorities. Katie Anderson with the FBI Louisville Field Office said that the age of the victim is estimated to be 24 to 82 years. The victims height is estimated to be between 5 feet 2 inches and 5 feet 10 inches, but they cannot yet exclude the possibility that the remains could be male. said Sherry Ballard, Crystal Rogers mother. I know Im not the mother, but the mothers not here and the fathers the number one suspect.. A team of investigative journalists are sharing interviews and evidence related to unsolved cases in Bardstown, Kentucky. FBI representatives wouldnt comment on why investigators targeted one specific property. He pleaded not guilty to a handful of felony theft charges. Her father Tommy Ballard was shot in the chest and killed. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. It was women like Sherry Ballard," she admitted. She noticed right away that Rogers' family was insistent that she wouldn't just leave and law enforcement named a main suspect but never made an arrest. Did you make him suffer? Unseld said. (Family Photo) On May 25, 2013, Bardstown police officer Jason Ellis was ambushed and killed on his way home after signing off for the night by someone lying in wait for him near Exit 34 at 2 a.m. An arrest slip says an eye witness said Lyons acted with Zachary Tate in the murder.. Detectives, journalists and independent search teams have worked the case for years now hoping to find the truth. If he liked you, hed give you the shirt off his back.. While her remains have not been found, authorities stated a few months later that they believed Crystal was likely dead. And it kind of gave us hope that okay they hadn't forgotten and we're heading in the right direction now.. There is a great post on reddit about Crystals case and this information comes from there: You can see Crystal Maupins Facebook here. The Nelson County Sheriffs Office confirmed in a statement Sunday that human remains had been recovered in a rural part of the county. Nick was accused of warning his brother that detectives planned to interview him and advised him not to speak with them. He was a K-9 handler (narcotics dog) for the police department in addition to his patrol duties. Out of respect for multiple families, we will not be commenting until we have results, Pineiroa said. In 1997, Erica Lee Fraysure's car was found in a remote area of Brooksville, Kentucky. Houck had called the Ballards and asked if theyd seen Rogers, Till Ballard said. Until then she challenges people to think about the impact they want to leave on the world. From day one, I never thought my daughter was coming home, Ballard said. Im not worried about nobody but my grandson and my daughter., This was a fight that would be drawn out for years. In October 2015, Brooks was named the prime suspect in the case but was never arrested. unsolved murders in ashland, ky unsolved murders in ashland, ky. 27 de fevereiro de 2023 | usssa baseball tournaments 2022. In the interview, Houck said that Rogers, their 2-year-old son Eli and himself left the family farm around midnight the night of July 3. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Precautionary boil advisory issued for water customers in east Jefferson County, Police: Woman accused of buying nearly $9K in clothes with stolen credit card, WAVE Weather Now Syncbak Channel Embed for PBE Page, Christina Applegate attends last awards show as an actress, 15-year-old shot, killed in Smoketown neighborhood identified, LMPD: Man in hospital after shooting in St. Denis nieghborhood, Man in hospital after shooting in Russell neighborhood. The FBI is continuing to investigate the Crystal Rogers case. Their daughter, Freda Sharene Sherry Ballard was killed in 1979 and her car was submerged in the Ohio River, according to multiple reports. Unseld said he has never heard of the two men charged in the case. . At the time of that call, Nick Houck himself was an officer with the Bardstown Police Department. Who would do such a thing?' "For those individuals who have information about this incident but who have not yet spoken to law enforcement for whatever reason, please contact us.". After more than five years of waiting for answers in the 2015 disappearance of Rogers, Ballard finally saw action over the summer. Was it quick?, I kind of thought at some point in time maybe people had forgotten and maybe we were the only ones still out there wanting answers, Hill said. The remains are being sent to Quantico, Virginia, for analysis by the FBI. . "As humans we don't have enough kindness and compassion for strangers," added McAlister. Sixteen months after Rogers disappearance in July 2015, her father was killed while he was hunting with his 12-year-old grandson. Bardstown today has more than doubled in population, and the shadows have grown deeper. Theres never a minute Im not thinking about them, Ballard said. Ive been there before, and its hard. You just dont go to bed one night and not know shes gone and then not worry when she left the baby.. He said when they got home, he went straight to bed, and Rogers stayed up playing games on her phone. A graduate of the University of Missouri she was ready to get to work telling stories. 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. After family members tried and failed to reach her, she was reported missing on July 5, 2015. I don't know which one was worse: not knowing who it was or having suspects and not knowing why or any other answers, Hill said. There has been a string of unsolved murders and an unsolved disappearance in Nelson County. Weve been through it, Till Ballard said. The Bardstown people continued their attempts to help. I hope it gives hope to everybody else thats got to deal with what were going through.. Weve searched the rivers, weve searched farms, houses, sinkholes, wells, any place she might be, family member Sammy Johnson said. In 2019, we brought you the story of five unsolved murders in and around the small, tight-knit town of Bardstown, Kentucky. True Crime Society - True Crime Society Podcast Episode Its always the husband (allegedly! Investigators showed up in the Woodlawn Springs subdivision in Bardstown on Aug. 24 and began looking for any evidence they could find. Plus, we had a contractor on the jury with us, and he said when they get it, they load it and take it to a site. Her remains were found buried in the woods in 1983. Tommy Ballard, Tills son and Sherrys husband, had been relentlessly pursuing the truth. Speaking in the wake of the Ballard shooting, longtime Bardstown resident Betty Greenwell told WDRB, All these killings and murders and things going on here it makes you nervous. It was really rough. Police Chief Kim Kraeszig also remembers getting a call that night about the murder. Her family tried to contact Crystal for two days via text and calling but they were not able to reach her. The fifth was with Brooks Houck. The area also provided good cover, as it was located between rock walls covered in brush. By Benjamin H. Smith Bardstown Murders and Mysteries: Brookelyn Farthing 1:09 Preview On May 25 2013, Officer Jason Ellis was killed after finishing his shift for the Bardstown, Kentucky Police Department. 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. The person or persons who killed them is still on the loose. "The memory that will forever be in my heart is going to DQ and buying my momma lunch. Its something that they dont get over. Both are serving life sentences in prison, Till said. But when its one of your own, especially for a police force, it can complicate things on a much bigger level. 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. I made eye contact with him, Tommy Ballard said after the court hearing. Very nervous.. Shockingly, they did not belong to Crystal. Curious passersby frequently tried to stop for a peek in the early days of the search and were turned away. In Bardstown, the FBI has stepped in to help with the Crystal Rogers case and McAlister would like to think that the attention the murders received from the Bardstown podcast along with the determination of Crystal Rogers' family is to credit. The next day, the sheriff's officerequested the assistance of the FBI Evidence Response Team because it was difficult to reach the location of the possible remains, which were sent to the FBI lab in Quantico, Virginia, for testing. Her family, including her grandfather, Till Ballard, and her mother, Sherry Ballard, at least wants to know what happened to her. But as the years rolled on, the case didnt see a lot of developments. Again, the motive and perpetrator have never been determined. They held vigils and fundraisers and raised tens of thousands of dollars for rewards and to assist Crystals children. If he is so innocent, like he says he is. I knew my mom was proud, but like just wanting her to be there physically, it was very hard to see other moms there, Fenwick said. Her car was found on the side of a busy parkway with a flat tire, keys, wallet and phone still inside. They had taken over the investigation into Crystals disappearance once the human remains were found. 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. I will never lose hope though in finding my daughter pic.twitter.com/cSnw6Zv8gb. 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. She also spoke about the day that her mother went missing: I was calling and texting and she wasnt answering, she said. An unknown subject fired one shot and hit Ballard in the chest and instantly killed him. The same day she was reported missing, her car was found abandoned on the Bluegrass Parkway near mile marker 14, roughly 6 miles from the Bardstown exit. These things weren't typical, noted McAlister. Just like our community we were hopeful it would assist in answers and closure in Crystal Rogers case. 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. His wife spoke at the dedication, saying, I have spent the last five years trying to find myself again, trying to climb out of the fog of grief and PTSD that comes with having your husband murdered, trying to raise two boys the best that I can.. On the morning of November 19, 2016, sixteen months after Crystal's disappearance, Ballard was preparing for a hunting trip with his 12-year-old grandson on family property next to Bluegrass. If a teacher sees something concerning going on with one of their students, they naturally want to get involved for the wellbeing of that child. They recovered two items of interest that were sent for examination. Slight chance of a rain shower. Now, McAlister is returning t Going over to mamaw Martins and playing phase 10 and aggravation over and over while eating snacks. Ellis funeral was attended by more than 1,000 law enforcement members and people in the community. Crystal has been missing 6 years now. We have had a stressed relationship at times, and one of the ways that Crystal has always chose to deal with that is by going to her cousin whom shes very close to, Houck told Grace in a phone interview. If you have information concerning this case, please call 1-800-CALLFBI. March 9, 1997 Murderpedia Willa Jean Ferrier, Crystal Conaster, and Chris Boswell were shot and killed by John Roscoe Garland in McCreary Country, supposedly over jealousy. Sometime in the evening, she was seen with three of her children buying groceries and other items. In August 2021, the FBI initiated a new search in the Woodlawn Springs subdivision of Bardstown. Till and his wife, Betty Ballard, sat outside the checkpoint for hours every day. James and Michelle Butler: The Senseless Murder of 21-Year-Navy Veteran and Wife. A lock () or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. He addressed that concern on Graces show. Seeking Information in Murder of Police Officer, FBI.gov is an official site of the U.S. Department of Justice. Mostly cloudy. 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. 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