The man considered the prime suspect in the disappearance and murder of Crystal Rogers since October 2015 will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Brooks Houck, 42, formerly of Bardstown, was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday after he was found guilty in early July at the Warren County Justice Center in Bowling Green of murder and tampering with physical evidence in Rogers’ July 2015 disappearance and death.
Houck was first officially mentioned as the sole suspect in the case by then Nelson County Sheriff Ed Mattingly in October 2015.
Also sentenced on Wednesday was one of Houck’s accomplices, Joseph Lawson, 34, formerly of Willisburg. He was sentenced to 25 years after being found guilty of conspiracy to murder and tampering with physical evidence.
Sentencing was originally scheduled for August but was delayed due to a Lawson health issue. His father, Steven Lawson, was previously sentenced to 17 years after he was found guilty of the same charges as his son.
Rogers, who was 35 when she disappeared from Bardstown on July 3, 2015, has never been found.
Houck is the father of one of Rogers’ five children. On Tuesday, he agreed to grant permanent custody of their shared child, Eli, 12, to his sister, Rhonda McIlvoy. She has had temporary custody of Eli since 2023.
(Headline photo: Brook Houck)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
