Crystal Rogers disappeared in 2015. In those six years, there has been no trace of him. Rogers was the mother of five children and showed no sign of trouble. Rogers' car was found abandoned on the Bluegrass Parkway in Bardstown, Kentucky. His luggage was still in the car. Following the disappearance of Crystal Rogers the following year, her father, Tommy Ballard, was shot and killed outside their home.
Last year the FBI got involved in the case, and yesterday, they began searching three properties that were home to Rogers' boyfriend, Brooks Hawk, through his construction company, according to WDRB. Hawke is the only suspect in the case, although he has never been charged.
If you're hearing about the case now and want to learn more, here are five podcasts that may shed more light on the story of this mother's disappearance.
1. The Vanishing of Crystal Rogers - Not Another True Crime Podcast (May 2021)
In this podcast from Bates Media, Sarah Levine and Danny Murphy explore the "morbidly engaging topic" in each episode with a dose of humor.
Here's his description for his Crystal Rogers episode:
"Sarah and Danny are back this week to give us all the information about Crystal Rogers' disappearance from a small town in Kentucky. They investigate her last sightings and all the details of the case, including her car. There is a delay involved in the search and reporting of his disappearance. Next, they turn to the most likely suspect in the case, and what they have uncovered in the police investigation so far. They also go over some recent updates on the case , and what we can expect to find out in the coming months."
2. Bardstown (2019-2020)
WHAS11's Shay McAlister and Vault Studios do a 10-episode deep dive into Crystal Rogers' case (with a few updates since then). Bardstown was a finisher for Best Local Podcast at LEO's 2019 and 2020 Reader's Choice Awards.
3. Conspiracy: Bardstown, Kentucky - Crime Junkie (February 2018)
Indiana True Crime podcasters Ashley and Britt investigate three mysterious murders and disappearances in Bardstown, Kentucky that they think may be related, including Crystal Rogers and her father.
4. Guy - Crystal Rogers - True Crimecast (October 2018)
Two true crime podcasters, John and Jamie, theorize about the Crystal Rogers case.
From their description of the episode: "Louisville, just outside of Bardstown, Q is the epitome of a small town. Everyone knows everyone's business, both the good and the bad. So how is it that Crystal Rogers disappears without a trace? Can her disappearance be related to other murders in the vicinity at the same time? And what about that lover and her brother? So much conspiracy, so few answers. This is the true crimecast."
5. Crystal Rogers - MHERReader Podcast (Jan 2020)
In this short-lived 2020 podcast, host Brooke Binkley talks about the U.S. In the investigation of murders and crimes against women. In his third episode, he covered the case of Crystal Rogers.