Dateline: The Trouble in Bardstown - A Complete Timeline of the Crystal Rogers Case

Dateline recently brought audiences' attention to one of Kentucky's most terrifying mysteries.

The disappearance of Crystal Rogers, which shook the small city of Bardstown over 10 years ago.

Her case remained cold for many years, which left her family desperate for answers. This year finally brought a closure when three individuals were convicted in connection with her presumed demise. The story unfolds in Kentucky's scenic Bluegrass Country, where bourbon flows and secrets run deep.

What initially looked like a mystery was cracked open by something unbelievably simple. A flat tire on a quiet highway turned out to be the most significant change in the case.

Dateline explored how seasoned investigators brought together a puzzle with no body, no murder weapon and no crime scene. The case relied entirely on one crucial phone and the circumstances that changed everything.

---

A detailed timeline of the Crystal Rogers case by Dateline

July 3, 2015

Crystal Rogers spent her last day with her partner, Brooks Houck. While interviewing the family members, Dateline recorded the testimony of Crystal's cousin, who said that Rogers informed him of going on a surprise date that evening.

Houck told the cops that they went to his family farm with their 2-year-old son. He claimed they made a round around the fields for hours. When they came back home, Houck said he fell asleep before Rogers could. The next morning, she disappeared.

---

July 4, 2015

Houck woke up only to find that Rogers had gone missing from their house. He told investigators this was not unusual behavior. Her car was missing and her family eventually grew worried when they failed to reach her.

---

July 5, 2015

Rogers' car, a Chevrolet Impala, was found on the Bluegrass Parkway. The car had a flat tire and was left on the side of the road. This discovery became the key break in the case and investigation. According to the prosecutors, Joey Lawson got a flat tire while driving the vehicle. He called his father, Steve Lawson, for help and support. Steve went on to make a 13-second call to Houck around midnight. Dateline highlighted how this single phone call unravelled everything.

---

The Investigation starts again according to Dateline

During the unfolding of the case, Detective Jon Snow questioned Houck about his timeline. Snow pointed out that it had been raining a lot on July 3. It was particularly odd, according to her, how someone could spend four and a half hours outside in the rain. Houcl was unable to explain.

Additionally, the FBI analyst traced Steve Lawson's phone to the Parkway location. The plot twist was that he initially denied being there but later admitted.

---

November 19, 2016

As the story was progressing, tragedy struck again when Roger's father, Tommy Ballard was shot during a hunting trip. He was making attempts to find his daughter. His additional demise remains under Investigation and prosecutors believe there may be a connection to the Rogers case.

---

2022

Years later, Shane Young took over as a prime prosecutor. He reviewed a vast amount of evidence collected over the ages. The case progressed slowly despite the lack of physical evidence. Young believed the circumstantial evidence was strong enough for a conviction.

---

September 2024

During the court intervention, Brooks Houck was tried for murder. Prosecutors argued he killed Rogers because their relationship was facing a lot of issues. He feared losing the custody of their son.

There were several hours of deliberation and he received a life sentence and is currently appealing. Additionally, Joey Lawson and Steve Lawson were also convicted as accomplices in the crime. Joey got 25 years in prison while Steve got 17 years. Both are appealing as well for their convictions.

---

What Cracked the Case according to Dateline?

Dateline examined how the loopholes led to solving this complicated crime. The midnight phone call created a digital map, and the flat tire forced the conspirators to work on their scheme.

The prosecutor Shane Young believes that without these small mistakes, the case would not have been solved. The investigation continues into other Bardstown deaths, including police officer Jason Ellis and Tommy Ballard.

Dateline demonstrated how small details and persistence brought justice for Crystal Rogers and her family after years of waiting.

Also See: Dateline: The Trouble in Bardstown - Everything we know about the latest true crime episode