Suvechha Sarkar
On July 3, 2015, Crystal Maria Rogers, the 35-year-old mother of five, vanished without a trace in Bardstown, Kentucky, leaving her family to search tirelessly for answers for nearly a decade. The investigation finally revealed that her ex-boyfriend, Brooks Houck, his employee, Steven Lawson, and Steven’s son, Joseph Lawson, were responsible for her murder. Oxygen’s ‘The Disappearance of Crystal Rogers’ sheds light on the circumstances surrounding the day she disappeared and further investigation to uncover the truth. It also features interviews with her mother, Sherry Ballard, and her siblings, Casey and Brooke Ballard, as they navigated the absence of Crystal and her father, Thomas Marvin Ballard, AKA Tommy, who was shot dead in 2016.
Tommy Ballard Died From a Gunshot Wound a Year After Crystal Went Missing
Long before the tragedy struck his household, Thomas Marvin Ballard, affectionately known as Tommy, built a life focused on his faith and relentless determination. He was a dedicated member of St. Thomas Catholic Church and built an impressive career, founding his own venture, T.M.B. Construction LLC. However, everything changed completely following Crystal’s disappearance. Tommy then dedicated his life to finding his daughter. According to official records, he himself investigated the case and was also the primary driving force behind the search. Tommy, his family, and the community’s collective effort to find Crystal eventually led to the creation of Team Crystal. When the authorities reportedly announced that they had presumed her dead on October 16, 2015, the team dedicated their time to discovering Crystal’s remains.
It seemed that 54-year-old Tommy was making progress when his meaningful life came to a sudden halt on November 19, 2016. He had gone out hunting at dawn on his farm with his grandson on that fateful day. However, he was shot in the dark, which was later reportedly determined to have been with a long-barreled weapon. Although detectives initially considered the possibility of a hunting accident, the FBI later ruled the case a homicide. The court documents from October 5, 2023, state that the officials claimed they had a rifle, which they believed could’ve been the murder weapon. However, to this day, the case remains unsolved, despite the ongoing investigation. Currently, Tommy’s family continues to seek justice, and by July 2025, they increased the reward for information in the case to $50,000.
Sherry Ballard Continues Her Fight for Justice Surrounded by Her Children and Grandkids
Sherry Ballard had faced a major heartbreak when she learned that her daughter, Crystal, was presumed dead. Although multiple searches failed to discover Crystal’s remains, Sherry said that she always held onto hope. She experienced another profound loss when Tommy passed away from a gunshot wound just over a year after their daughter’s death. While speaking about the experience, she expressed, “Tommy was the backbone of our family, but I’m gonna step up and I’m gonna be here for my children and I’m gonna be here for my grandkids and I’m gonna be here to find that justice that I need.” To this day, Sherry continues to raise awareness about Crystal’s death and the unsolved murder of Tommy, seeking justice.
Most recently, in November 2025, Sherry shared her significant decision to tell her family’s tragic story on NBC’s ‘Dateline.’ However, she has not let her losses define her life; instead, she has taken control in her own way. From time to time, she sells clothing items, which appear to be serving as a source of income for her. Besides that, Sherry continues to maintain an incredible bond with both her son and daughter, Casey and Brooke. She is especially close to Casey, and they can often be seen joking with one another. Additionally, Sherry is always surrounded by the love of her grandkids.
Whether it be congratulating her children on their success or simply celebrating holidays and special occasions with them, Sherry never shies away from showering them with her utmost affection. In her leisure time, she loves immersing herself in the beauty of the sun-soaked beaches. The single mother often finds solace in the company of her two furry cats. However, she grew worried when one of them went missing in April 2024. Sadly, she didn’t share any further news about the return of her furry friend. Despite the hurdles, she continues to move forward, holding tightly to her hope that someday justice will be served for Tommy. Sherry still carries the dearest memories of her husband and Crystal close to her heart every step of the way.
Casey Ballard is an Entrepreneur and Finds Solace in the Presence of His Family
The loss of his beloved sister and his father had deeply affected Casey Ballard. So, when Brooks was finally sentenced, he stated, “You’ve always smiled, but today, with this hearing here, I could go home with my family, and you go to prison for life, and I’ll be going smiling when I go home. You enjoy your life in prison.” Even today, Casey hasn’t given up advocating for justice for his father. Before his life changed forever, he was laying the groundwork for his future. He completed his initial studies at Nelson County High School before eventually embracing his entrepreneurial spirit. Casey ultimately opened his own business, Ballard Construction & Excavating. When he is not busy with his professional pursuits, he never misses a chance to spend quality time with his wife.
From taking his soulmate out on romantic dinners to going on trips together to enjoy nature, Casey truly soaks up every ounce of happiness. He also makes sure to always express his love and gratitude for her, often referring to her as an “amazing woman.” Moreover, he maintains a close relationship with his daughter, Hailey, and son, always cheering them on at every milestone in their lives. He continues to have an incredible connection with his mother, Sherry. It became more evident when he wished her on Mother’s Day with an emotional message, writing, “Happy mother’s mom. You are the strongest, most caring woman I know. Thank you for being the best mom. Love you.” Yet, amid everything, the ache created by the absence of Tommy and Crystal lingers deeply within him.
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Brooke Bryan Balances Motherhood, Service, and Her Journey Toward Healing
Brooke was one of the first people to notice that she couldn’t get in touch with her sister, Crystal, leaving her devastated. So, when the time for the justice to be served finally arrived, she didn’t step away from giving the victim’s impact statement. She stated, “I hope you have the worst life possible because that’s what you deserve, you and your family, and Joey, karma did all the talking for me.” However, she hasn’t let the tragic experience stop her from continuing on her path toward healing. Brooke Ballard, now known as Brooke Bryan, has been making her mark in her professional life as a nurse and consistently gives back to the community. By August 2022, she also became the owner of All Star Inflatables. In October 2025, Brooke shared information about the Foster Heights blanket and encouraged everyone to purchase one for a fundraiser.
In her personal life, Brooke has found her soulmate, Brandon Bryan. After a few years of dating, she finally tied the knot with him in the presence of her loved ones on September 9, 2017. Over the years, they have welcomed their son and daughter into the world. Whether it’s cheering her son on for his games or simply expressing pride in her daughter’s small achievements, Brooke never fails to make them feel loved. Another big part of her life was her furry pup, Hektor. However, she was left grief-stricken when he passed away in June 2023. Despite the losses, Brooke tries to find small moments of joy while spending time with her family. She also continues to foster a special bond with her mother and brother. Moreover, Brooke keeps the memories of Crystal and Tommy still alive in her heart.
