BARDSTOWN, Ky. — A recent revelation in one of Bardstown, Kentucky’s unsolved cases involving four murdered individuals over the span of four years has brought hope to the town. The cases of Jason Ellis, Kathy and Samantha Netherland, Crystal Rogers, and Tommy Ballard have been a cause of great concern for the community. Many have wondered if there might be connections between these cases.
In January 2023, a special prosecutor was appointed to assist in the prosecution of criminal charges related to the deaths of Ellis, Rogers, and Ballard. The case of the Netherlands was not included in this assignment. The assistant special agent in charge, Brian Jones, has expressed his thoughts on the potential links between these cases, stating that solving one case could bring resolution to the others.
The investigation into Crystal Rogers’ disappearance in 2015 finally saw a breakthrough with the recent arrests of two individuals. Notably, Brooks Houck, Rogers’ boyfriend at the time of her disappearance, was arrested on charges of murder and tampering with physical evidence. Joseph Lawson of Nelson County was also arrested in connection to Rogers’ disappearance, indicted on charges of conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with evidence.
The murder of Tommy Ballard, father of Crystal Rogers, further deepened the mystery surrounding the cases. He was fatally shot while hunting in 2016, adding another layer to the unsolved tragedies in Bardstown. The investigation into his death has seen little progress over the six years since the incident.
Similarly, the murder of Jason Ellis, a Bardstown police officer, remains unsolved. He was shot and killed in 2013, and despite investigations, no answer has been found. The Netherlands case, in which Kathy and Samantha Netherland were found brutally murdered in their home, is also still unsolved.
The recent special prosecutor’s appointment is a sign of progress in seeking justice for the victims and their families. As the FBI continues to actively work on these cases, the hope remains that answers in one case could lead to resolution in others. However, despite these developments, the murderers of Ellis, Rogers, Ballard, and the Netherlands remain at large and unaccountable for their actions.