Bardstown grieves after the death of Crystal Rogers' father

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) – The Bardstown community is grieving.

A family that's no stranger to headlines was back in them on Saturday. Tommy Ballard, the father of the missing Bardstown woman, Crystal Rogers, is dead. He was shot and killed as he headed into the woods to hunt with his 11-year-old grandson Saturday morning.

"I think I can speak for the whole city, it's unfortunate. We're all grieving," said Bardstown Mayor John Royalty, who was a friend of Ballard.

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Ballard's family says he was shot in the back and they don't think it was an accident. However, police are still calling this case a death investigation.

"They've had a rough time with Crystal and now Mr. Ballard," Royalty said. "I'm a builder, just like Tommy, and he was a very good man."

Ballard's daughter, Rogers, went missing in 2015. He and his wife, Sherri, had been publicly searching for her ever since.

Authorities say it's too soon to tell if there's any connection between Rogers' disappearance and her father's death.

"Well I'm sure that being who he is, and his daughter disappeared however long ago it was, I'm sure that's what people have on their mind," Kentucky State Police Trooper Jeff Gregory said. "We have no way right now to link any of that together."

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The investigation into Ballard's death is in its early stages. Although it happened outside Bardstown's city limits, the community is still stepping in to help.

"I have confirmed with the chief that whatever resources we have that can assist the state police in their investigation, we will give," Royalty said.

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