Brooks Houck Sentenced to Life for Murder of Crystal Rogers

Brooks Houck Sentenced to Life for Murder of Crystal Rogers

Bardstown, KY — September 17, 2025 — Brooks Houck has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Crystal Rogers, whose 2015 disappearance shocked the Kentucky community. Houck was convicted in July 2025 on charges of murder and tampering with physical evidence related to Rogers’ case.

The sentencing was originally scheduled for August but was delayed due to health concerns involving Houck’s co-defendant, Joseph Lawson. Lawson, who was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder and evidence tampering, received a 25-year prison sentence.

The Bardstown courtroom was tense as the judge finalized Houck’s life sentence, bringing a sense of closure to a case that had spanned nearly a decade. Crystal Rogers’ family and supporters have long awaited justice, and the sentencing represents a significant milestone in holding those responsible accountable.

Rogers, a young mother, disappeared under mysterious circumstances in 2015, triggering extensive investigations and nationwide attention. Evidence presented during the trial revealed Houck’s involvement in orchestrating her death and attempts to obstruct justice, while Lawson assisted in covering up the crime.

Local law enforcement praised the efforts of investigators who painstakingly pieced together the case over several years. The community hopes that today’s verdict will bring some measure of peace to Rogers’ family and serve as a reminder of the persistence of justice.

Houck will serve his life sentence without parole, while Lawson will serve his 25-year term, marking the conclusion of one of Kentucky’s most closely watched criminal cases.