BARDSTOWN, Ky. — FBI Louisville officials are continuing their search of a Bardstown subdivision they said is connected to the Crystal Rogers investigation.
What You Need To Know
- The search continues in the Woodlawn Springs subdivision of Bardstown, which FBI Louisville officials said is connected to the Crystal Rogers case
- Law enforcement focused on one property and its surrounding area on Wednesday
- Witnesses said sonar equipment and cadaver dogs have been spotted in the area, and a tarp with fresh dirt was seen on one driveway
- The properties in question were built around the time of Rogers' disappearance by a company owned by Rogers' former boyfriend, Brooks Houck
On Tuesday, investigators confirmed in a tweet that agents were deployed to the Woodlawn Springs subdivision in Bardstown. Law enforcement officials said agents were focused on three properties built around the time of Rogers' disappearance in July 2015.
#BREAKING: Based on information collected over the last year by the federal investigation into the disappearance of Crystal Rogers, FBI Louisville is now conducting several searches in the Woodlawn Springs subdivision (Bardstown, KY). pic.twitter.com/oenwNCEFiE
— FBI Louisville (@FBILouisville) August 24, 2021
The three properties were built by a company owned by Rogers' former boyfriend, Brooks Houck. The two share a child, and Houck has never been charged.
Federal agents appeared to narrow the focus to one home on Wednesday, honing in on the property and surrounding area. Officials also told Spectrum News 1's Jonathon Gregg that sonar equipment and cadaver dogs have been utilized in the search.
Law enforcement on site has said none of the homeowners of the properties are part of the investigation, they're focused on just the property itself. Tarp was seen on one driveway with fresh dirt on it.
Rogers, a mother of five, went missing from Bardstown in July 2015. In August 2020, FBI Louisville announced it was taking over the case. In July of last year, remains were found near the borders of Washington and Nelson counties. The FBI sent them to Quantico, Virginia, where the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) helped identify the remains; however, they were not Rogers'.
Spectrum News 1 spoke to a Woodlawn Springs resident named Judy, who said her adult daughter lives a few houses down from where agents are searching. She described agents using sonar equipment, adding that the entire community is supportive of Roger’s family.
"We’ve seen the wear and tear it's done on her family. The community here is 100% behind her," Judy said on Tuesday. "All the businesses just absolutely love the Ballards and they were a big part of this community."
The Crystal Rogers Task Force set up a website to solicit information and to provide updates on the case, but there has not been an entry since last year.
For an in-depth recap of the the Rogers case, click here for a timeline.