Police Identify Suspect in Yogurt Shop Murders Case

Authorities have identified a deceased man as a new suspect in the 1991 Austin yogurt shop murders. The brutal killings of four teenage girls had remained unsolved for over three decades. This development is a major breakthrough in one of Texas’s most haunting cold cases.

Austin police announced Friday that DNA evidence points to Robert Eugene Brashers. Brashers died by suicide in 1999. The case received renewed public attention with a recent HBO documentary series.

New Evidence Overturns Decades of Investigation

According to the Associated Press, advanced DNA testing techniques led investigators to Brashers. Previous investigations had led to the wrongful convictions of two other men. Their convictions were later overturned based on this new genetic evidence.

This discovery validates the long-held belief that previous suspects were not responsible. It also closes a painful chapter for the families who waited for answers. The police department emphasized that its investigators never stopped working on the case.

A Crime That Stunned a City and Defied Resolution

The murders of the four girls profoundly impacted the community. The crime scene was severely damaged by fire, complicating early forensic efforts. For years, the case seemed impossible to solve.

Brashers was already a person of interest in other violent crimes across multiple states. Missouri authorities had linked him to a 1990 homicide and a 1998 double murder. This pattern suggests a violent offender who evaded capture for years.

This DNA breakthrough finally provides a credible suspect for the Austin yogurt shop murders. While it does not bring a living person to justice, it offers long-awaited clarity. The case, though officially still open, has its most significant lead in history.

Info at your fingertips

Who were the victims of the yogurt shop murders?

The victims were Amy Ayers, 13; Eliza Thomas, 17; and sisters Jennifer and Sarah Harbison, ages 17 and 15. They were found bound, gagged, and shot inside the “I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt” store.

Why were the previous suspects released?

Robert Springsteen and Michael Scott were freed in 2009. New DNA evidence revealed an unknown male suspect not present in their original confessions, leading a judge to overturn their convictions.

How did police connect Robert Brashers to the crime?

Authorities used modern DNA analysis on evidence from the scene. This genetic profile matched Brashers, who was already linked to other violent crimes in South Carolina, Missouri, and Tennessee.

What was the condition of the crime scene?

The yogurt shop was set on fire after the murders. This fire significantly damaged potential evidence, making the initial investigation extremely challenging for forensic teams.

Will there be any further legal proceedings?

No. Since Robert Brashers is deceased, he cannot be charged. The Austin Police Department considers this a significant break but notes the case remains open.

Trusted Sources: Associated Press, Reuters.