Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"Every true crime story has one thing in common. Nothing is as it seems." — Host
"The theory is that her dad was getting close to answers and someone had to take him out because shortly before his death he was actually telling people that he was concerned that he was being watched and he was being followed." — Host
"Dogs are truly just like want to give love. I mean we don't deserve them we don't." — Co-host
This episode delves into a series of unsettling and unsolved cases in Bardstown, Kentucky, a town typically known for its tranquility. The narrative begins with the ambush and murder of Police Officer Jason Ellis in 2013, a case that remains unsolved and was characterized by unusual circumstances, including the use of mixed ammunition and a clear setup. The podcast then explores the brutal murders of Kathy and Samantha Netherland in 2014, a mother and daughter found dead with no signs of robbery, leaving investigators without a clear motive or suspects, save for a suspicious black Chevy Impala.
The central focus then shifts to the 2016 disappearance of Crystal Rogers, whose case is presented as a potential lynchpin connecting the other incidents. Her abandoned car on the Bluegrass Parkway, the same route Officer Ellis frequented, and the suspicious behavior of her boyfriend, Brooks Hauke, and his brother, Nick Hauke (a police officer), immediately raised red flags. The investigation into Crystal's disappearance and the subsequent firing of Nick Hauke for failing a polygraph test intensify the suspicion of police involvement and corruption.
The episode concludes by weaving together theories about how these cases might be interconnected. The primary hypothesis suggests a drug-related conspiracy or corruption within the Bardstown Police Department led to the silencing of those who got too close to the truth, starting with Officer Ellis. The murders of Kathy and Samantha are theorized as a possible accidental witnessing of a crime, while Crystal's disappearance and her father's subsequent murder are strongly linked, suggesting they were targeted for uncovering information. The podcast highlights the lack of clear motives for robbery in any of the crimes, reinforcing the theory that the sole purpose was to silence individuals.