Austin, August 3, 2025
News Summary
A new HBO docuseries titled ‘The Yogurt Shop Murders’ will premiere, focusing on the unresolved killings of four teenage girls in Austin in 1991. The series explores the tragic events surrounding the investigation, highlighting the impact on the victims’ families and community. The incident involved a suspicious fire that concealed the murders, and despite various arrests and confessions, the case remains open with hopes for new DNA technology to shed light on the mystery.
Austin, Texas – A new HBO docuseries titled The Yogurt Shop Murders will premiere on August 3, 2025, revisiting the tragic and unresolved killings of four teenage girls that occurred on December 6, 1991, in Austin. The series examines the crime, the subsequent investigation, and its lingering impact on the victims’ families and the community.
On that fateful day in 1991, a fire broke out at the I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt! shop in northwestern Austin. Firefighters responding to the scene discovered the bodies of Jennifer Harbison (17), Sarah Harbison (15), Eliza Thomas (17), and Amy Ayers (13) inside the building. They were later determined to have been killed before the fire was set, which is believed to have been an attempt to destroy evidence related to the crime. The investigations revealed that Ayers had been shot twice, while the other three girls suffered single gunshot wounds to the back of their heads.
The incident occurred under suspicious circumstances: the front door of the yogurt shop was locked, but the back door was found open without any signs of forced entry. Initial reports indicated that money was missing from the store, leading investigators to theorize that robbery might have been the motive for this heinous act.
The investigation quickly gained traction, and just days after the tragedy, 16-year-old Maurice Pierce was arrested in possession of a .22-caliber revolver that he claimed was linked to the yogurt shop incident. Pierce’s subsequent statements implicated three other teenagers: Forrest Welborn (15), Michael Scott (17), and Robert Springsteen IV (17). However, all four denied any involvement in the crime, and the case evolved into one of the most complex investigations in the Austin area.
Over the next several years, detectives pursued leads by interviewing hundreds of individuals and considering as many as 342 potential suspects. In September 1999, renewed questioning led to Michael Scott admitting to his participation in the crime after an extensive interrogation. This confession was followed by the arrest of Robert Springsteen, who also made a statement confessing to the murders and to sexually assaulting one of the girls.
Despite their admissions, both Scott and Springsteen later recanted their confessions, claiming they had been coerced. The legal battle surrounding the case intensified as questions arose about the validity of their confessions. In 2001, Springsteen received a death sentence, while Scott was sentenced to life imprisonment the following year.
Initial forensic evidence could not definitively link Pierce’s revolver to the crimes, leading to his release from custody in 2003. Meanwhile, charges against Welborn were dropped in 2000 after grand juries chose not to indict him. Legal complications continued as both Springsteen’s and Scott’s convictions were overturned in the mid-2000s due to mishandling of evidence and legal errors regarding their confessions. In 2009, DNA testing from the crime scene revealed that none of the genetic material matched any of the four accused, resulting in their release.
U.S. Representative Michael McCaul stated that the case remains classified as open, awaiting new advancements in DNA technology that may allow for further testing. The anguish and unresolved grief felt by the families of the victims is poignantly captured in the upcoming docuseries, directed by Margaret Brown, who emphasizes how the ripples of this tragedy continue to affect the community and the families involved.
FAQ
What happened at the yogurt shop in Austin in 1991?
On December 6, 1991, a fire set intentionally at the I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt! shop led to the discovery of the bodies of four teenage girls, all believed to have been murdered before the fire was started.
Who were the victims in the yogurt shop murders?
The victims were Jennifer Harbison (17), Sarah Harbison (15), Eliza Thomas (17), and Amy Ayers (13).
What was the outcome of the investigation?
The investigation led to arrests and charges against several teenagers, but legal complications arose with confessions later being recanted and convictions being overturned due to evidence issues.
What is the significance of the HBO docuseries?
The docuseries revisits the chilling crime and its long-standing impact on the victims’ families and the community, highlighting themes of unresolved grief and the ongoing search for justice.
Key Features of the Yogurt Shop Murders Case
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | December 6, 1991 |
| Location | I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt! in Northwest Austin, Texas |
| Victims | Jennifer Harbison (17), Sarah Harbison (15), Eliza Thomas (17), Amy Ayers (13) |
| Investigation Timeline | 1991-1999 |
| Key Suspects | Maurice Pierce, Forrest Welborn, Michael Scott, Robert Springsteen IV |
| Confessions | Confessions recanted later, leading to legal controversies |
| Current Status | Case remains open, awaiting new DNA technology. |
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Additional Resources
- E! Online: Yogurt Shop Murders
- Wikipedia: Yogurt Shop Murders
- KVUE: Yogurt Shop Murders Docuseries
- Google Search: Yogurt Shop Murders
- CBS News: The Yogurt Shop Murders
- Google Scholar: Yogurt Shop Murders
- Hindustan Times: Yogurt Shop Murder HBO Series
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Yogurt Shop Murders
- Texas Monthly: Yogurt Shop Murders HBO Documentary
- Google News: Yogurt Shop Murders
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
