Austin Police Make ‘Significant Breakthrough’ in Murders of 4 Teen Girls at Yogurt Shop, Name New Suspect 34 Years Later

Austin Police Identify New Suspect in 1991 Murders at Yogurt Shop

Austin police have made a significant breakthrough in a 34-year-old cold case involving the murders of four teenage girls at a yogurt shop in 1991. The victims, Eliza Thomas, Sarah Harbison, Jennifer Harbison, and Amy Ayers, were tragically shot and killed inside the shop in Austin, Texas. The police have named a new suspect in the case, Robert Eugene Brashers, who was a serial killer and rapist and died by suicide in 1999. Brashers was never considered a possible suspect during the initial investigation and had no known connection to the city of Austin.

The revelation of Brashers as a new suspect in the Yogurt Shop Murders comes after over three decades of investigation. The case had remained unsolved for many years, despite previous confessions and arrests of other suspects who were later released due to a lack of DNA evidence. The gun Brashers used to take his own life reportedly matches a bullet casing found in a drain at the yogurt shop. This development has sparked new interest and hope in solving the long-standing mystery surrounding the tragic murders.

The tragic events unfolded on December 6, 1991, when a fire broke out at the I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt shop in Austin. The bodies of the four teenage girls were discovered by firefighters after the flames were extinguished. The girls had been gagged and shot in the head, shocking the community and sparking a lengthy and complex investigation that followed.

Following the murders, a teenager named Maurice Pierce was detained by the police, initially leading to the arrest of three other male suspects: Michael Scott, Robert Springsteen, and Forrest Wellburn. While Maurice, Robert, and Michael confessed to the crime at different times over the years, their convictions were eventually overturned due to various factors, including the absence of concrete DNA evidence and contentious police interrogations.

The latest development in naming Brashers as a suspect has brought a renewed sense of focus on the case. The Austin police have announced that the investigation is ongoing, with a scheduled press conference to reveal further details about the breakthrough. The victims’ families have been informed of the new lead in the case, providing them with a glimmer of hope for justice for their loved ones after all these years.

The story of the Yogurt Shop Murders has received widespread attention, particularly following the release of a docuseries that shed light on the case and included interviews with those involved in the investigation and the victims’ families. The new DNA evidence linking Brashers to the crime has added another layer of complexity to the case, connecting him to other violent crimes across different states.

Despite the challenges and setbacks faced over the years, the dedication of law enforcement and the families of the victims to seek justice has not wavered. The latest development in identifying Brashers as a suspect marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of closure and accountability for the senseless and tragic murders that shook the community in 1991.

As the investigation continues and more details unfold, the hope for resolution and justice for Eliza, Sarah, Jennifer, and Amy remains steadfast. The new lead in the case offers a glimmer of hope that after decades of uncertainty, answers may finally be within reach for the families and the community affected by the heartbreaking events at the yogurt shop in Austin.