UPDATE: Austin police have identified deceased serial killer Robert Eugene Brashers as the primary suspect in the notorious 1991 yogurt shop murders, where four teenage girls were brutally killed. This shocking revelation comes 34 years after the tragic incident, reigniting public interest in one of Texas’ most infamous cold cases.
On December 6, 1991, the bodies of Jennifer Harbison, Sarah Harbison, Eliza Thomas, and Amy Ayers were discovered in the “I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt!” shop in north Austin. Each girl, aged between 13 and 17, was found bound and shot in the head, with some showing signs of sexual assault. The heinous nature of the crime has haunted the Austin community for decades.
New DNA and ballistics testing have confirmed Brashers’ involvement, according to a statement from Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. Brashers, who had a long history of violent crimes, rose to infamy in 2018 when authorities linked him to the murders of two women and a 12-year-old girl in the early 1990s. He was also implicated in the 1997 rape of a 14-year-old girl in Tennessee.
Brashers’ criminal history includes a conviction for attempted murder in 1985, when he shot a 25-year-old woman in Florida after she rejected his advances. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Following a 1999 standoff with police in Missouri, where he took his family hostage, Brashers died by suicide after sustaining injuries during the incident.
The renewed focus on this cold case highlights the impact of forensic advancements in solving long-standing crimes. The devastating loss of the four young girls left an indelible mark on their families and the Austin community, making this development not just a matter of law enforcement, but a poignant reminder of lives forever altered.
As authorities continue to investigate, the community is urged to share any information related to the case. The latest developments underscore the importance of vigilance and community support in seeking justice for unsolved crimes.
Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving story.