COXS CREEK, Ky. — Multiple law enforcement agencies conducted another massive dig in Nelson County on Wednesday with ties to at least one of the high profile unsolved cases that have gripped the Commonwealth.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Kentucky State Police (KSP) focused their efforts on a wooded area off Thompson Hill Road in Coxs Creek. That's just south of Mt. Washington, near the Nelson and Bullitt County line.
Special Prosecutor Shane Young told WHAS11 his office initiated this search in connection to one of three unsolved murders in Bardstown -- ambushed police officer Jason Ellis, missing mother of five Crystal Rogers or her father, Tommy Ballard, who was shot and killed on a hunting trip one year after Rogers' disappearance.
It's believed this is the first time authorities have searched the property in connection to any of the cases.
Our crews saw multiple unmarked police vehicles, heavy excavating equipment and dozens of personnel carrying tools.
There is a house on the property, but a neighbor said it has been vacant for a while now. It's unclear if the home was searched as well.
Till Ballard, Tommy's father and Crystal's grandfather, rushed to the search site as soon as he learned of the new development. He said his heart believes investigators are looking for Crystal.
"I believe it has to be Crystal's remain because Jason Ellis, they buried him, and we buried Tommy, so she's the only one in Nelson County that's left," he said. "I just hope the day comes that we can get her remains and bury her and everybody that's involved in this pays for it the rest of their lives."
Authorities kept the latest dig under the radar for days.
Neighbors said they first spotted police vehicles and construction equipment on site three days ago on Monday morning. They also told WHAS11 that police were focused on two properties, across the street from each other, on Thompson Hill Road.
The Ballard family said the property is unfamiliar to them, but they're holding out hope investigators are able to make an important connection.
"It feels real good, hopefully we'll get some justice and find Crystal's remains," Till Ballard said.
The Ellis family said they too are holding out hope that somehow this property holds ties to his case and ultimately answers.
Special agents have not specified how many more days they plan to work at the property.
Neighbors said KSP troopers have not left the site unattended, until now, meaning the latest search may be over.
Three unsolved murders
Rogers disappeared in 2015 over the Fourth of July weekend. Although her remains have never been found, she has been presumed dead for years. Shortly after her disappearance, her car was found along the Bluegrass Parkway with her keys, phone and purse still inside.
Two men have been charged in Rogers' case: 35-year-old Joseph Lawson and the main suspect in her disappearance, her ex-boyfriend Brooks Houck.
Her father, Tommy Ballard, was shot and killed during a hunting trip with his grandson a year after Crystal's disappearance.
During a court hearing for Brooks Houck, the prosecution said they are in possession of the gun they believe killed Tommy Ballard. Investigators said they purchased the gun from Houck's brother Nick, a former Bardstown Police officer.
Bardstown Police officer Jason Ellis was shot and killed in an ambush-style attack in 2013.
Ellis had just finished working a shift with the Bardstown Police Department and was on his way home when he saw something unusual: Branches blocking an exit ramp off the Bluegrass Parkway.
Investigators have never fully linked the Ellis case to Rogers’ case. But in a 2020 interview with the FBI, Assistant Special Agent in Charge Brian Jones said he believed answers in one Bardstown case could lead to answers in others. The Ellis family agrees.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.