New DNA evidence could be introduced in the Crystal Rogers case: What we know

BARDSTOWN, Ky. (FOX 56) — New DNA evidence could be introduced in the Crystal Rogers case.

A March 26 court order states that two hairs recovered from the Bardstown mother’s vehicle will be tested for the first time.

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Court documents noted that the hair was recovered through tape lifting, a method of collecting trace evidence, and was never initially tested because the process could destroy the samples.

Three hairs were reportedly recovered, and only one, which was discovered in a “different location,” was initially tested by the FBI in 2016. Any extracted DNA was reportedly saved for independent testing.

The order comes in part of an agreement between the Commonwealth and Brooks Houck’s defense. Houck was arrested in connection with the disappearance and death of the Bardstown Mother in September 2023.

The evidence will be tested by Bode Technologies to obtain a DNA profile from the samples, per the court, and the Commonwealth will pay for the tests to be completed.

It’s unclear if this evidence will be used in a separate trial in connection with Rogers’ disappearance.

Rogers was last seen with Houck, her boyfriend at the time, on the Fourth of July weekend in 2015. Her car was abandoned, with her belongings inside, on the side of Bluegrass Parkway. Rogers has been presumed dead, although her body was never found.

After more than eight years of searching and investigating, a breakthrough came in September 2023. Joseph Lawson was arrested and charged with criminal conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with evidence related to her disappearance.

Twenty days later, Houck was arrested and charged with complicity to murder and evidence tampering, his bond set at $10 million. Shortly thereafter, Steve Lawson, who had spoken with Houck the night after Rogers went missing, was indicted on similar charges.

Since then, we’ve learned that Houck allegedly asked the Lawsons to move Rogers’ car the night she disappeared.