Suvechha Sarkar
On a chilly morning in November 2016, Thomas Marvin Ballard, lovingly known as Tommy, went out hunting in Bardstown, Kentucky, where he was shot dead. It sent shockwaves through the community and his loved ones because it was just over a year after his daughter went missing. The case came into focus in Oxygen’s ‘The Disappearance of Crystal Rogers,’ where it is discussed how the sudden death of the 54-year-old intensified the mystery surrounding his daughter’s case. It also presented several interviews with his family members and acquaintances, who still look forward to the day Tommy will receive justice.
Tommy Ballard’s World Changed Forever After Crystal Rogers Went Missing
Thomas Marvin Ballard was born on January 7, 1962, in Louisville, Kentucky. His parents, Till and Betty Ballard, affectionately called him Tommy and always showered him with love and attention. Thomas also maintained an incredible bond with his sisters, Barbara and Sherry, as well as two brothers, one of whom was Mike. From his childhood, Tommy was known for his kind and dependable nature. He completed his initial education before stepping into his career. He opened his own business, named T.M.B. Construction LLC. Over time, Tommy became interested in working with cattle, which led him to buy a farm near Bluegrass Parkway in Bardstown, Kentucky.
Eventually, Tommy met the love of his life, Sherry, and they soon began dating. Within the next few years, Tommy and Sherry welcomed their three daughters, including Crystal Maria and Brooke, and their son, Casey, into the world. As his children stepped into adulthood, Tommy and Sherry were overjoyed with the birth of their grandchildren. However, their life turned upside down on July 3, 2015, when Crystal suddenly went missing and her abandoned car was discovered at the side of the road on Bluegrass Parkway. In an attempt to bring her back home, Tommy created a community group named Team Crystal.
Tommy Ballard Died From a Gunshot Wound During Hunting on His Farm
According to reports, Tommy even dedicated his time to investigating Crystal’s case himself and collected multiple CCTV footage and witness testimonies for over a year after her disappearance. Tommy was adamant to find out the reason why his daughter went missing. Yet, despite the loss, he was trying to return to his usual life. So, he set out on a hunting trip to his farm in the early morning of November 18, 2016, along with Casey and Casey’s son, and Crystal’s son, Thomas. While Casey stayed at the front of the farm, Tommy and Thomas went to the back. As per investigative reports, Casey heard a gunshot shortly after, following which Thomas called him crying, informing him that Tommy was shot.
Casey immediately called 911, and as officials arrived at the scene, they discovered Tommy dead from a gunshot wound to his chest. Although they initially considered it to be a hunting accident, the FBI classified the case as a homicide. They discovered an opening in the trees by the road, where the branches were freshly cut. After considering the evidence, the authorities believed that the shot was fired from a long-barreled firearm. Additionally, there was evidence of a gun kickback in one of the trees at the crime scene. The autopsy determined that he was shot only once, and the bullet exited through his back. Tommy’s cause of death was determined to be a single gunshot wound to the chest.
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Despite Eyewitness Accounts and Firearm Forensics, Tommy’s Death Remains a Mystery
From the beginning, detectives considered the possibility that Tommy’s death and the disappearance of Crystal might be connected. However, according to police records, they were unable to find any concrete evidence linking the two crimes. They also questioned Tommy’s 12-year-old grandson, who was present at the scene. He reportedly informed them that in the morning, when they were walking away from the truck, they had turned a corner. Casey stated that Thomas claimed Tommy had suddenly looked at a particular side, allegedly after seeing a movement. He continued that Tommy had just positioned himself with his gun when he was shot. Later, based on a thorough inspection, Tommy’s 12-year-old grandson was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Following that, the FBI offered $10,000 for any information regarding the identification of the shooter. During the investigation on the show, a witness came forward claiming that she was passing by Bluegrass Parkway around 6:20 am to go to work. According to her statements, she then allegedly saw a white vehicle backing up near her in the morning in a rush, and someone seemingly opening the door. As time passed, law enforcement reportedly shared little information about the investigation. The case once again came into focus when Crystal’s ex-boyfriend, Brooks Houck, his employee, Steven Lawson, and his son, Joseph Lawson, were all arrested in 2023, related to the case of Crystal.
According to court records, the prosecution had revealed after their arrest that Brooks’ brother, Nick Houck, had sold a rifle to an undercover FBI agent under a false name. The authorities reportedly believed that the specific rifle was used to kill Tommy since it was the same caliber weapon. Reports state that the firearm was sent for testing, and the officials disclosed that it met four of the five conditions that needed to match for a comparison. Following the convictions of Steven, Brooks, and Joseph in May and July of 2025, respectively, Tommy’s family has increased the reward for information in his case to $50,000. As of writing, Tommy’s case remains open, but it is unsolved. No matter what, his loved ones have not given up hope that justice will one day be served.
