Shivangi Sinha
The disappearance of Crystal Rogers sparked numerous questions and left the town of Bardstown, Kentucky, shrouded in uncertainty and speculation. The investigation eventually led to the arrests of Brooks Houck, Crystal’s boyfriend at the time she vanished, along with Joseph and Steve Lawson. However, another person who remained under scrutiny was Nick Houck, Brooks’ brother. Peacock’s ‘The Disappearance of Crystal Rogers’ examines the factors that link Nick to the case and the various allegations made against him.
Nick Houck’s Behavior After Crystal Rogers’ Disappearance Reportedly Led to His Suspension
Nick Houck was raised alongside his brother, Brooks Houck, in Bardstown, Kentucky, and the two had always been close/ Their mother, Rosemary Houck, and the family owned a farm in the area, where most of them were involved in daily operations. Nick, however, pursued a career in law enforcement. He worked as an officer with the Bardstown Police Department and was known to be a quiet, reserved individual who generally kept to himself. By July 2015, Nick was in a 7-year-long relationship with his then-girlfriend, Amber Bowman, and the couple lived in a house just down the road from Brooks and Crystal. Amber later testified that she and Nick were in the process of moving into a new home on Olympia Drive.
According to Amber, they were supposed to be moving their belongings, but on the night of July 3, Nick was unreachable. She said she tried calling him multiple times that night and again the following morning, but he did not answer. Amber stated that she eventually found his phone at their new house, and Nick offered no clear explanation as to how it had gotten there. He told her he had been working on the new home, but she noted that it did not appear as though any work had been done. It is important to note that Crystal is believed to have been killed on the night of July 3. On July 8, when Brooks was being interrogated by the police, Nick called him during the interview.
As per police records, Nick told Brooks to stop the conversation immediately, and after hanging up, Brooks stated that his brother had advised him to give a statement but not to let the police “beat him to death with it.” The next day, a detective contacted Nick and asked him to come in for an interview, but he refused and gave a similar response to the Chief of Police. Just a few days later, he testified before a grand jury, and his police cruiser was confiscated as part of the investigation. He was questioned by the Kentucky State Police and ordered by the FBI to take a polygraph test, after which investigators reportedly expressed concern about the results.
On September 9, Nick was given a suspension letter that also outlined his eventual termination. The letter stated that he had violated the city police department’s code of conduct and was charged with lying or concealing material information, engaging in immoral or improper conduct, insubordination, and official misconduct. An official hearing was scheduled for October 15, 2015, after which Nick was suspended from duty based on these findings and required to leave his position with the police department.
Related
Nick Houck’s Name Remains Attached to Crystal Rogers’ Case Even Today
In the years that followed, Nick Houck’s name continued to be linked to Crystal Rogers’ disappearance. In August 2016, his home was searched for DNA evidence, though police did not recover anything significant. In October 2024, Brooks Houck was finally arrested, and his trial began in July 2025. During the proceedings, prosecutors mentioned Nick multiple times, and both he and Rosemary Houck were referred to as alleged “unindicted co-conspirators.”
Nick’s former girlfriend, Amber Bowman, also testified, giving an account of his whereabouts that prosecutors cited as inconsistent with earlier statements. Prosecutors have maintained that there remains a strong possibility he could face charges, but as of now, he has not been found guilty in any capacity. Nick continues to live in Bardstown, Kentucky, keeping a low profile. He was seen attending his brother’s trial, but he rarely makes any public appearances.
