FBI suspending Crystal Rogers efforts due to incoming weather, ‘multiple items of interest’ found – WLKY Louisville

After days of searching in a Bardstown subdivision, the FBI is suspending its efforts in the Crystal Rogers investigation for the time being due to incoming weather, but investigators said they have recovered "multiple items of interest."According to a tweet from the FBI in Louisville, investigators expect conditions to deteriorate over the next couple of days due to remnants from Hurricane Ida. The approach weather system is forecast to bring torrential rain to the region.But while the search has been called off for now, the team said in a statement that its efforts in the Woodlawn Springs subdivision haven't gone without progress."During the course of our search thus far, multiple items of interest have been uncovered. Initial analysis shows they are potentially relevant to the investigation into the disappearance of Crystal Rogers," the FBI said.The items have been sent to the FBI lab in Quantico, Virginia, for analysis. The FBI has remained quiet about its efforts, including what they have uncovered.Previous stories:Day 1 coverageDay 2 coverageDay 3 coverageDay 4 coverageOne of the first big updates since the FBI resumed its efforts in Bardstown was Friday when they confirmed an "item of interest" had been recovered. That came after days of searching and excavation in the Nelson County community."This item is being further evaluated and we will release additional information as it becomes available," the FBI tweeted.And over the weekend, for the first time, the FBI announced a $25,000 reward for information in Rogers' disappearance. They are hoping someone in the community will come forward and provide tips that will lead to the identification, arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for the mother's disappearance.'I just pray this is it': Crystal Rogers' mother feeling encouraged as FBI search continuesThe main message the FBI has been sending to the community is cooperation. Since the team took over the case last year, they have called on residents to come forward and launched a dedicated website for tips to be submitted anonymously."Now is the time to come forward," the FBI said in a statement Friday.People can also call the FBI at 800-225-5324.FBI teams have been in Bardstown for days now, initially descending on the community last Tuesday to follow up on leads gathered over the last year. Those tips took them to the Woodlawn Springs subdivision, where they initially focused on three properties.Those properties were built by Brooks Houck, Rogers' boyfriend, at the time of her disappearance. The FBI then zeroed in on one of the properties, which no longer belongs to Houck. Teams have been digging up and excavating the driveway, and truckloads of concrete have been seen around the subdivision.The FBI said they don't have a timeline on how long it will take to find any clues in her disappearance but "we will continue our efforts as long as it takes."Sherry Ballard, Rogers' mother, said the FBI has been keeping her up to date. She said she's been grateful to the neighbors for keeping her up-to-date, and she's hopeful another day of searching pays off.What to know about the Crystal Rogers caseRogers went missing in 2015. Her car was found abandoned with a flat tire on Bluegrass Parkway in Bardstown with her phone, purse and keys still inside.She had five children, one with Houck. While he is the only person since she disappeared to be named as a suspect, he has never been charged. His home was searched last year when the FBI started investigating. They also investigated his brother Nick Houck's home.At one point, investigators zeroed in on Houck's grandmother, Anna Whitesides.Crystal Rogers investigation: Where feds searched last year and whyThe state believed her car may have been used to dispose of Rogers' body. Whitesides, who had previously talked to investigators, later invoked her Fifth Amendment right, refusing to testify when called to court.Before the FBI came in last year, the Nelson County Sheriff's Department was handling the disappearance. A new detective took over the case a couple of years ago when Det. Jon Snow left the Sheriff's Department. Chief Deputy Joedy Gilliland then became the lead until the feds stepped in.Last year, when the FBI began its investigation, officials reported that they had found human remains at the Washington-Nelson county line. The FBI later reported that those remains were not of Rogers and their efforts remained largely quiet up until the latest flurry of activity this week.Just a year after Rogers died, on Nov. 19, 2016, her father was shot and killed on family property near Bluegrass Parkway, and his killing also remains unsolved.

After days of searching in a Bardstown subdivision, the FBI is suspending its efforts in the Crystal Rogers investigation for the time being due to incoming weather, but investigators said they have recovered "multiple items of interest."

According to a tweet from the FBI in Louisville, investigators expect conditions to deteriorate over the next couple of days due to remnants from Hurricane Ida. The approach weather system is forecast to bring torrential rain to the region.

But while the search has been called off for now, the team said in a statement that its efforts in the Woodlawn Springs subdivision haven't gone without progress.

"During the course of our search thus far, multiple items of interest have been uncovered. Initial analysis shows they are potentially relevant to the investigation into the disappearance of Crystal Rogers," the FBI said.

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The items have been sent to the FBI lab in Quantico, Virginia, for analysis. The FBI has remained quiet about its efforts, including what they have uncovered.

Previous stories:

One of the first big updates since the FBI resumed its efforts in Bardstown was Friday when they confirmed an "item of interest" had been recovered. That came after days of searching and excavation in the Nelson County community.

"This item is being further evaluated and we will release additional information as it becomes available," the FBI tweeted.

And over the weekend, for the first time, the FBI announced a $25,000 reward for information in Rogers' disappearance. They are hoping someone in the community will come forward and provide tips that will lead to the identification, arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for the mother's disappearance.

'I just pray this is it': Crystal Rogers' mother feeling encouraged as FBI search continues

The main message the FBI has been sending to the community is cooperation. Since the team took over the case last year, they have called on residents to come forward and launched a dedicated website for tips to be submitted anonymously.

"Now is the time to come forward," the FBI said in a statement Friday.

People can also call the FBI at 800-225-5324.

FBI teams have been in Bardstown for days now, initially descending on the community last Tuesday to follow up on leads gathered over the last year. Those tips took them to the Woodlawn Springs subdivision, where they initially focused on three properties.

Those properties were built by Brooks Houck, Rogers' boyfriend, at the time of her disappearance. The FBI then zeroed in on one of the properties, which no longer belongs to Houck. Teams have been digging up and excavating the driveway, and truckloads of concrete have been seen around the subdivision.

The FBI said they don't have a timeline on how long it will take to find any clues in her disappearance but "we will continue our efforts as long as it takes."

Sherry Ballard, Rogers' mother, said the FBI has been keeping her up to date. She said she's been grateful to the neighbors for keeping her up-to-date, and she's hopeful another day of searching pays off.

Rogers went missing in 2015. Her car was found abandoned with a flat tire on Bluegrass Parkway in Bardstown with her phone, purse and keys still inside.

She had five children, one with Houck. While he is the only person since she disappeared to be named as a suspect, he has never been charged. His home was searched last year when the FBI started investigating. They also investigated his brother Nick Houck's home.

At one point, investigators zeroed in on Houck's grandmother, Anna Whitesides.

Crystal Rogers investigation: Where feds searched last year and why

The state believed her car may have been used to dispose of Rogers' body. Whitesides, who had previously talked to investigators, later invoked her Fifth Amendment right, refusing to testify when called to court.

Before the FBI came in last year, the Nelson County Sheriff's Department was handling the disappearance. A new detective took over the case a couple of years ago when Det. Jon Snow left the Sheriff's Department. Chief Deputy Joedy Gilliland then became the lead until the feds stepped in.

Last year, when the FBI began its investigation, officials reported that they had found human remains at the Washington-Nelson county line. The FBI later reported that those remains were not of Rogers and their efforts remained largely quiet up until the latest flurry of activity this week.

Just a year after Rogers died, on Nov. 19, 2016, her father was shot and killed on family property near Bluegrass Parkway, and his killing also remains unsolved.

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FBI suspending Crystal Rogers efforts due to incoming weather, 'multiple items of interest' found - WLKY Louisville