Crystal Rogers: Prosecutors Could Use ‘Nancy Grace’ Episode at Murder Trial of Mom Missing Since 2015

A 2015 episode of “Nancy Grace” could be used in the murder case of a Kentucky woman who vanished in 2015.

WLEX reported that the episode, produced by CNN’s HLN network, was filmed a week after Crystal Rogers’ disappearance. Prosecutors entered the episode in the case files of Rogers’ boyfriend Brooks Houck and Steven and Joseph Lawson, who are father and son.

Rogers was reportedly last seen attending a party at a barn in Bardstown that belonged to Houck’s mother. Her body was never found but she is presumed dead.

READ: Continuing Coverage of the Crystal Rogers Case

According to reports, the “Nancy Grace” episode of interest is “Dr. Sievers Murder Investigation Developments; Kentucky Woman Vanishes.” During the broadcast, Grace conducted a phone interview with Houck. Rogers’ mother and father also appeared in the episode. (Reports indicated that Rogers’ father was fatally shot in 2016, 16 months after his daughter’s slaying.)

Houck is one of three men charged in connection with Rogers’ presumed murder. WLEX reported that the Lawsons worked for Houck.

During the broadcast, Grace asked Houck why he did not report Rogers missing once he realized she was gone.  Rogers’ mother had reported her missing.

According to WLEX, Houck told Grace he was not concerned because she often went to her cousin’s home when they had issues.

“We have had a stressed relationship at times and one of the ways Crystal has always chosen to cope or to deal with that is by going to a young woman’s, named Sabrina. That is her cousin,”  he said.

Though Houck made similar claims to police, Rogers’ father told Grace she only went to Sabrina’s home in one instance. The family also claimed that Houck never helped search for Rogers and that they were suspicious of his story.

Steven Lawson/Harrison County Jail, Brooks Houck/Nelson County Jail, and Joseph Lawson/Grayson County Jail

Steve Lawson, who allegedly talked on the phone with Houck, the night Rogers disappeared, was charged with criminal conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence. Lawson was indicted in May 2023 — while his son, Joseph Lawson, and Houck, his employer, were charged in September.

Steve Lawson’s son is facing the same charges as him. Houck was charged with complicity to murder and tampering with physical evidence.

During a police interrogation, Houck reportedly called Steve Lawson — who allegedly explained that they talked on the phone about rental properties the night Rogers vanished. Steve Lawson allegedly claimed that Houck said he had to get information about the rental properties from Rogers and he would call back.

The three suspects are scheduled to stand trial in February. The prosecution and defense agreed that the high-profile trials should be moved out of Nelson County.

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[Feature Photo: Crystal Rogers/handout]