After years of declining interviews, the lead detective in Kentucky's most notorious missing persons case reveals what really happened behind the scenes.

"I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity.

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For nearly a decade, Detective Jon Snow carried the weight of one of Kentucky's most heartbreaking mysteries. As the lead investigator in the Crystal Rogers case, he worked 80-hour weeks, slept on a cot in his office, and ultimately made a career-ending sacrifice to give the investigation its best chance at justice.

Now, with three convictions secured and Brooks Houck facing life in prison, Snow is finally ready to talk.

"I've been asking you for an interview for a couple of years," I told him as we sat down in his living room, "just knowing you're kind of the man at the center of this investigation."

His response was characteristically measured. "I know I put you off a few times. But you know, you have to be very, very careful about what you say. And I think that gets misconstrued as I don't want to say anything."

Over the course of our 90-minute conversation, Snow opened up about the frustrations, the breakthroughs, and the painful decisions that defined this case.

Snow wiping his eyes minutes after Steve Lawson is convicted

For paid subscribers: The full interview with Detective Jon Snow is now available in audio form! I know you all are busy and don't always have time to sit down and read, so I'm hoping this makes staying informed a little easier.

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