Four years after murder, family of Tommy Ballard hopeful for answers
Thursday marked four years since Tommy Ballard was shot and killed on the family's land in Nelson County.
Ballard had been shot in front of his grandson while taking the boy, 12, hunting. The incident happened near the Bluegrass Parkway, just 16 months after his daughter, Crystal Rogers, was reported missing.
"I don't want anybody to forget what happened to my family and that we are still looking for answers," Sherry Ballard, Tommy's widow, and Crystal's mother, told 비바카지노 Viva.
On the anniversary of his death, she reflected on how dedicated he had been to finding their daughter, and answers.
"If he wasn't out physically searching he was on the computer looking up stuff. He promised the kids he would bring their mom home and he never gave up on that," Ballard said.
"All he wanted was to bring his daughter home," Ballard's youngest daughter, Brooke Bryan, remembered.
Bryan said her family continues drawing strength from their family and community.
"I know everybody thinks about us and it means a lot to us and don't give up because we're not," she said.
In August, the FBI announced they were taking the lead on the disappearance of Crystal Rogers. That investigation, the family told 비바카지노 Viva, has brought new hope, not only for Crystal's case but Tommy's as well.
"It's very hard for me to sit and wait but I know the end result is going to be worth it. So, I sit and I wait and I think if they find who was guilty for Crystal then I think they will have justice for Tommy, too," Sherry Ballard said.
Months after the FBI returned to multiple locations linked to Crystal's disappearance, the family continues to have regular contact with agents. Ballard thinks the justice her husband pursued for their daughter is coming, and coming soon.
"It's really hard for me to know he's not going to be (here), but I know he's going to know it," Sherry Ballard said.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for Tommy Ballard's murder. The FBI tip line is 1-800-CALL-FBI.
The Ballard family is offering a $20,000 reward. They're asking anyone who was on the Bluegrass Parkway the morning of Nov. 19 between mile markers 23 and 24 to come forward. Information can be emailed to tipsfortommy@outlook.com