The Fateful Date Night That Ended in Disappearance
On the afternoon of July 3, 2015, Crystal Rogers, a 35-year-old mother of five, bumped into her cousin at a supermarket in Bardstown, Kentucky. She was excited to share that her boyfriend, Brooks Houck, had planned a surprise date night for them. Crystal, who had been experiencing relationship problems with Houck, saw this as a positive effort to reconnect. She told multiple friends about her anticipation for the evening.
Crystal and Houck lived together in the small town, where Houck came from a wealthy local family that operated a large farm and he ran a construction business. Crystal had four children from a previous relationship, and Houck was the father of her youngest son, who was two at the time. Friends described Houck as controlling, and tensions arose from his treatment of Crystal's older children compared to his biological son, along with rumors of infidelity.
A Mother Vanishes Without a Trace
Two days later, on July 5, Crystal's mother, Sherry Ballard, reported her daughter missing after not hearing from her, which was highly unusual given Crystal's close bond with her children. When questioned, Houck claimed he had taken Crystal and their toddler son to his family's 245-acre farm for a few hours of walking before returning home. He said he went to bed before Crystal and woke up to find her gone, with their son in their bed and her vehicle missing.
CCTV footage confirmed that Houck, Crystal, and their son drove to the farm around 7 p.m. Phone records indicated they were on the grounds until Crystal's phone was turned off at approximately 9 p.m., never to be reactivated. She did not respond to messages from her children. Crystal's car was later found abandoned on a nearby highway with a flat tyre, keys in the ignition, and her handbag and phone inside.
Investigation and Suspicion Mount
From the outset, Crystal's family pointed fingers at Houck, noting his lack of effort in searching for her while the community rallied to help. Police grew suspicious, and on July 8, Houck was taken in for questioning. His brother, Nick Houck, a police officer at the time, intervened to stop the interview, advising Brooks not to speak. Nick's actions led to a polygraph test, which he failed, resulting in his dismissal from the force weeks later.
Houck was officially named a suspect, and Crystal was presumed dead. Investigators focused on a white Buick belonging to Houck's grandmother, Anna Whitesides, which was sold weeks after the disappearance. When located, K-9 dogs detected human remains on the passenger side, and hair resembling Crystal's was found in the boot. Anna, then 82, invoked her Fifth Amendment rights in court, refusing to cooperate.
Tragedy Compounds as Family Seeks Justice
Crystal's family launched a relentless campaign, offering a $100,000 reward for information. Her father, Tommy Ballard, tirelessly kept the case in the public eye. However, on November 19, 2016, Tommy was shot and killed on his private property while preparing to go hunting with his 12-year-old grandson, Crystal's eldest son. His death was ruled a murder, as his gun was never fired, and the grandson was cleared.
In 2020, the FBI took over the case, urging anyone with knowledge to come forward. Searches continued at locations linked to Houck, including construction sites. Over the next two years, the FBI discovered "items of interest" under a driveway connected to Houck and collected evidence at the family farm.
Arrests and Convictions Bring Partial Closure
In 2023, Houck was arrested and charged with murder, held on a $10 million bond. Two other men were also arrested: Steve Lawson, a former employee of Houck, charged with conspiracy to commit murder, and his son, Joseph Lawson, charged with conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with evidence.
The trial, which garnered significant media attention, relied on circumstantial evidence, as there was no body, crime scene, or weapon. Prosecutors argued that Houck killed Crystal to avoid the consequences of a breakup, including custody and financial arrangements. They believed she was killed at the family farm on the date night, with Joseph Lawson tasked with disposing of her car, which suffered a flat tyre around midnight, prompting calls that linked all three men to the crime.
At Steve Lawson's trial in 2025, he claimed his son called him to Crystal's car on July 3, and he adjusted the car seat to make it appear Crystal was the last driver, unaware of her murder. He was convicted and sentenced to 17 years. Later that year, Houck faced trial, where a video of Steve Lawson described the troubled relationship and Houck's desire to have Crystal "gone." Houck was found guilty of murder and tampering with evidence, while Joseph Lawson was convicted of murder and sentenced to 25 years.
Sentencing and Unresolved Questions
At Houck's sentencing in September 2025, Crystal's family labeled him "evil" and a "coward," expressing anguish over not recovering her remains. Houck received a life sentence. All three men are appealing their convictions. Just days before sentencing, Houck's sister, Rhonda McIlvoy, was granted full custody of Crystal and Houck's son.
Many questions remain unanswered. Crystal's family believes more arrests are warranted, particularly regarding her father Tommy's unsolved murder. Although other Houck family members were mentioned as co-conspirators during the trial, no further charges have been filed, leaving a community and family seeking full justice.
