New Breakthrough in Yogurt Shop Murders Case Identifies Suspect
In a shocking development, a suspect has been identified in the notorious 1991 murders of four teenage girls at a yogurt shop in Austin, Texas. The identification was reported by Erin Moriarty, a correspondent for 48 Hours, based on information provided by John Jones, a retired detective who was part of the original investigation team.
Robert Eugene Brashers: The Suspected Serial Killer
The suspect, Robert Eugene Brashers, is a deceased serial killer and rapist connected to at least three murders committed between 1990 and 1998 across South Carolina and Missouri. Brashers passed away in January 1999 by suicide during a police standoff. The gun he used for the act reportedly matches a bullet casing found in a drain within the yogurt shop where the murders occurred.
According to Jones, DNA evidence has helped establish a connection between Brashers and the tragic crime. The yogurt shop murders remain one of Austin’s most infamous cases, where the charred remains of four girls, aged between 13 and 17, were discovered.
A Grim Discovery
On December 6, 1991, the victims—Eliza Thomas (17), Amy Ayers (13), Jennifer Harbison (17), and her sister Sarah Harbison (15)—were found bound, gagged, and fatally shot in an I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt! store. The perpetrator had also set the shop ablaze, damaging crucial evidence. At the time of the crime, Eliza and Jennifer were employees of the yogurt shop, preparing to close when Sarah and Amy arrived to pick them up.
The Investigation Journey
In the aftermath of the crime, the Austin Police Department formed a specialized task force to solve the case. The FBI joined in the investigation, but the case eventually went cold until 1999 when authorities arrested four suspects: Robert Springsteen, Michael Scott, Maurice Pierce, and Forrest Welborn. Notably, the suspects were only teens at the time of the murders.
Initially, the suspects were questioned shortly after the crime, particularly Maurice Pierce, who was apprehended with a .22 caliber gun—the type suspected in the murders. Although they were released due to insufficient evidence, a new team of investigators reopened the case, leading to confessions from Springsteen and Scott that later came under scrutiny for being coerced.
Legal Trials and DNA Breakthroughs
While Springsteen and Scott were convicted based solely on their own confessions, their convictions were eventually vacated on constitutional grounds. Further investigations utilized advanced DNA testing, specifically focusing on male DNA from evidence collected at the crime scene. Remarkably, a partial male DNA profile was obtained but did not match any of the original suspects.
In 2009, as attempts to identify the DNA continued without success, charges against Springsteen and Scott were dropped, leading to their release after nearly a decade behind bars.
Recent Developments
Now, after years of persistence in tracking the source of the enigmatic DNA, investigators have made a breakthrough this month, as stated by original investigator John Jones. This new information may finally bring closure to a case that has lingered for decades in the shadows of Austin’s history.
Key Details of the Yogurt Shop Case
| Victim Name | Age | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Eliza Thomas | 17 | Employee |
| Amy Ayers | 13 | Friend |
| Jennifer Harbison | 17 | Employee |
| Sarah Harbison | 15 | Sister/Friend |
The case serves as a haunting reminder of the fragility of youth and the ongoing quest for justice in unsolved crimes.
