True Crime Obsessed

Episode 481: The Trouble in Bardstown

Release Date: January 20, 2026
Hosts: Patrick Hines & Julia Bezavalo
Case: The Disappearance of Crystal Rogers (Dateline: The Trouble in Bardstown)

Episode Overview

This episode offers a detailed, hilarious-yet-heartfelt recap of the Dateline episode “The Trouble in Bardstown,” covering the 2015 disappearance of Crystal Rogers in Bardstown, Kentucky. Patrick, Julia, and commentary from Dateline’s Andrea Canning and Shane McAllister delve into a web of small-town secrets, a series of unsolved murders, family dysfunction, botched coverups, and the slow march of justice. With signature sass and empathy, the hosts break down the case’s twists, the ongoing pain of Crystal’s family, and the stunning eventual break in the case.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Crystal Rogers – Her Life and Disappearance (05:06–13:15)

• Crystal: Mother to five, described as “born to be a mom—kind, selfless, always in constant contact with her kids.”
• Timeline: Disappeared over 4th of July weekend 2015; last seen by boyfriend, Brooks Houck. Her car was later found abandoned on Bluegrass Parkway—cell phone and purse left inside, one tire flat, and her two-year-old (Eli) with Brooks, not Crystal.
• Family Immediately Alarmed: “There was no doubt in my mind at all. Mom never left that little boy anywhere, not even with his daddy.” – Sherry (Crystal’s mother) [09:56]
• Family and Brooks quickly at odds; Brooks fails to take the lead or engage in the search efforts.

2. The “Brooks Is Sketchy” Club (13:15–16:15, 24:28–42:22)

• Brooks Houck: Local property manager, former sheriff candidate, described as distant, controlling, and suspiciously unbothered.
• Red Flags: Brooks claims Crystal just “needed space” and often disappeared—a story the family vehemently disputes. His alibi involves a bizarre “family walk in a field at 11:30pm with a toddler,” which the hosts and police find implausible.
  • “No two year old is gonna not be losing his shit outside at 11 o'clock.” – Patrick [14:02]
• Home Life: Reports of Brooks’ coldness—refusing to pay for Crystal’s other children’s meals, shutting off utilities so kids “wouldn’t run up the bill,” mother Rosemary’s manipulations.
  • “The whole sense we get from Brooks and his mom is they think they’re fancy and too good for Crystal and her family.” – Patrick [19:57]

3. Early Investigation: Family, Evidence, and Distrust (16:15–24:28)

• Detective Jon Snow: “Hell of a name,” jokes Julia, but he provides key details—flat tire on car, seat pushed too far back for Crystal’s petite frame.
  • “Nobody would just walk away without their purse and cellphone.” – Det. Jon Snow/Patrick [12:47]
• Investigation Hampered: Crystal’s family is unusually competent, having dealt with a prior missing aunt—demonstrates tragic local experience with unsolved crime (23:58).
• Distrust of Law Enforcement: Ongoing local skepticism; family receives more tips than police.

4. Enter Brooks’s Brother Nick – Cop and Fixer (29:51–33:47)

• Nick Houck: Officer in nearby Bardstown, calls Brooks mid-interrogation, instructs him to leave police interview—“Unass that chair!” orders Chief Rick McCubbin, demanding Nick’s cooperation. [31:41]
  • “That chair is still ass.” – Patrick, on Nick’s lack of candor [33:47]
• Nick’s Polygraph: Fails on key questions; argumentative, ultimately fired (“This is how you do it, everybody!” – Julia [39:14]).

5. Trail Runs Cold, But the Family Presses On (42:22–48:52)

• White Buick Lead: Tip comes in about a white Buick spotted near family property the night of Crystal’s disappearance. Quickly sold by the family after publicity; trunk contains hair “matching” Crystal, but not testable.
• Publicity and Pressure: Billboard campaign “BY BROOKS HOUK” points the finger and keeps case visible. Family feels targeted, notably Tommy (Crystal’s dad), who leads searches and receives community tips.

6. A Town Plagued By Murder (52:28–58:52)

• Five unsolved murders in four years in a small town.
• Other Victims:
  • Kathy & Samantha Netherland, mother and daughter murdered in a home invasion (no proven connection).
  • Jason Ellis, police officer ambushed and killed (direct connection via working relationship with Nick Houck).
  • Tommy Ballard (Crystal’s father), murdered while hunting with grandson after leading search efforts.

7. Justice Rising: The Big FBI Break (61:03–67:30)

• FBI Takes Over: Operation Justice Rising—FBI floods Bardstown, searches properties, uncovers secret audio recorders on Houck family land.
• Key 13-Second Call: Night Crystal vanished, Brooks called Steve Lawson, who had just been called by his son Joey—the trio were triangulated near the abandoned car.
  • “Had they not gotten that flat tire and made that 13-second call, we probably wouldn’t have solved this case.” – Andrea Canning/Patrick [71:37]
• Steve Lawson Flips: Under repeated questioning, admits he and his son moved Crystal’s car, connects Brooks to the crime, confirms coverup.

8. Trial and Convictions – But Not Everyone (67:30–74:01)

• Prosecution’s Theory: Brooks lured Crystal to the farm under pretense of a “date” then killed her; family and associates covered it up, but the plan was spoiled by the flat tire and carelessness.
• Results:
  • Brooks Houck: Guilty of murder, sentenced to life.
  • Steve Lawson & Joey Lawson: Conspiracy charges, sentenced to 17 and 25 years.
  • Nick Houck and Rosemary Houck: Not charged but publicly named “unindicted co-conspirators.”
  • Still no body, no murder weapon, and lingering open cases for Tommy Ballard, Jason Ellis, Kathy and Samantha Netherland.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Patrick on Investigators’ Emotion:
  “Andrea Canning is crying. I’m crying. The mom is crying. Everyone is crying. She cannot stop crying.” [03:02]
• Julia on Red Flags:
  “Give me a break, Brooks. Don’t patronize me, bro. Shut up.” [14:50]
• Patrick on Small-Town Shenanigans:
  “They are giving no fucking Bart.” [40:22]
• Chief McCubbin’s Command:
  “You’re going to unass that chair, you’re going to cooperate, and that’s a direct order. … Get your ass over there now.” [31:41]
• Julia on the Family Billboard:
  “It says, ‘MISSING: Crystal Rogers, last seen July 3, 2015 … BY BROOKS HOUK’—right across from the sheriff’s department.” [46:33–47:02]
• On the Importance of the Flat Tire:
  “If they hadn’t gotten the flat tire and Steve Lawson hadn’t made that 13-second phone call, we probably wouldn’t have solved this case.” — Andrea Canning/Patrick [71:37]
• On Being a ‘Punchable Face Dick’:
  “You know what, I love that Rick, the boss, is just taking the line… You should be able to fire someone for being a fucking punchable face dick.” – Julia & Patrick [39:37–39:44]

Important Timestamps & Segments

• Crystal’s Disappearance, Family’s Fear — [05:06–13:15]
• Initial Brooks Timeline & Field Walk Excuse — [13:18–14:56]
• Discovery of Car, Jon Snow’s Input — [12:15–13:00]
• Nick Houck’s Interference, ‘Unass that chair!’ — [29:51–33:47]
• Evidence: White Buick, Family Behavior — [43:13–44:56]
• Tommy Ballard’s Murder — [48:27–48:59]
• Wider Town Murders & Jason Ellis — [52:28–58:52]
• FBI, Audio Recorders, Break in the Case — [61:03–67:30]
• 13-Second Call Revelation — [62:43–63:05]
• Steve “Y’all Crazy” Lawson Confesses — [65:38–66:30]
• Trial Outcome & Aftermath — [67:30–74:44]
• Remaining Mystery & Family’s Unending Sorrow — [74:11–74:58]

Tone & Style

The tone is true to the podcast’s style: witty, cutting, deeply empathetic toward the victims, irreverent with suspects, and “true crime for people with feelings and sass.” Pop culture asides (Heated Rivalry, Mayberry, Sex and the City, Tetris), inside jokes (“unass that chair”), and periodic heartfelt moments abound, especially when discussing Crystal’s family.

Takeaways for Listeners

• In a town wracked with suspicion, corruption, and violence, it was the persistence of Crystal’s family and a twist of fate (a flat tire) that finally cracked the case after years of frustration.
• The episode demonstrates the importance of determined families, the flaws and strengths of law enforcement, and the lasting impact of unsolved crimes on small communities.
• Not everyone is brought to justice, and Crystal’s body remains unfound, but at least some closure has been brought to her loved ones.

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