Humans remains found in Nelson Co. not missing Bardstown woman Crystal Rogers

crystal-rogers-08-07
crystal-rogers-08-07

Human remains found in Nelson County on July 24 were not those of missing Bardstown woman Crystal Rogers.

The Nelson County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation into the remains, found in a densely wooded area near the Nelson County/Washington County line (not far from the Rogers family farm), was not able to determine whose remains were located. The remains were analyzed at the FBI’s lab in Quantico, Virginia.

Rogers, 35, has been missing since July 3, 2015. Her abandoned vehicle was found on the Bluegrass Parkway in Nelson County, with her belongings inside.

Her boyfriend, Brooks Houck, has been named a suspect in her disappearance, while his brother, former Bardstown police officer Nick Houck, was fired after it was discovered he was hindering the investigation into Rogers’ disappearance during its early stages.

The FBI took over the investigation when the remains were discovered, and on August 6, federal authorities executed a search warrant at both Houck residences, as well as the Houck family farm. Agents spent over nine hours searching the respective locations.

A few days after searching the various Houck properties, the FBI asked the public for help identifying the drivers of three vehicles spotted on surveillance videos near areas of interest. Then, a few days later, FBI agents could be seen canvassing Bardstown’s Creek Chase neighborhood, where Brooks Houck resides. Agents also searched a storage unit belonging to Rogers.

The FBI has created a website, crystalrogerstaskforce.com, to serve as the official source of information from law enforcement. A $25,000 reward is being offered in the case.

By Ken Howlett, News Director

Contact Ken at ken@k105.com