Austin, Texas, January 8, 2026
Authorities have identified Robert Eugene Brashers as the suspect in the 1991 yogurt shop murders in Austin, Texas, and have linked him to a homicide in Kentucky. Advances in DNA and ballistic evidence were crucial in this significant development, which has led to the exoneration of wrongfully accused individuals. The resolution of these cases provides closure to victims’ families and highlights the importance of forensic advancements in solving cold cases.
Austin, Texas: Breakthrough in 1991 Yogurt Shop Murders Linked to 1998 Kentucky Homicide
Austin, Texas – In a significant development, authorities have identified Robert Eugene Brashers as the perpetrator of the 1991 I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt! shop murders in Austin, Texas, and have linked him to a 1998 homicide in Lexington, Kentucky. Brashers, who died by suicide in 1999, is now connected to multiple unsolved violent crimes across several states.
Identification of Robert Eugene Brashers
In September 2025, the Austin Police Department (APD) announced that Brashers was identified as the suspect in the 1991 yogurt shop murders. Advances in investigative genetic genealogy and ballistic evidence were pivotal in this identification. A partial Y-STR DNA profile developed from one of the victims’ sexual assault kits matched Brashers’ DNA, leading to his identification. Additionally, a .380-caliber shell casing found at the crime scene was consistent with the firearm Brashers used in a 1999 suicide, further linking him to the murders.
Connection to 1998 Kentucky Homicide
Further investigation revealed a connection between Brashers and a 1998 homicide in Lexington, Kentucky. On November 7, 1998, 43-year-old Linda Marie Rutledge was found murdered in the Nixon Hearing Aid Center, which she owned. The cause of death was determined to be multiple gunshot wounds to the head. In July 2025, APD detectives contacted the Lexington Police Department after a match was made through the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN). A .380-caliber shell casing recovered at the Lexington crime scene matched one found in Austin during the 1991 investigation. This discovery prompted further DNA testing, which confirmed that Brashers was responsible for Rutledge’s murder. Brashers died by suicide in January 1999; had he been alive, he would have been arrested and charged with Rutledge’s murder.
Exoneration of Wrongfully Accused Individuals
In light of this new evidence, the Travis County District Attorney’s Office filed motions to exonerate four individuals who were previously charged in connection with the 1991 yogurt shop murders. Michael Scott, Robert Springsteen, Maurice Pierce, and Forrest Welborn were initially accused and charged in 1999. The new findings have led to the formal clearing of their records, acknowledging the wrongful nature of their convictions.
Background on the 1991 Yogurt Shop Murders
The 1991 yogurt shop murders occurred on December 6, 1991, at an I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt! shop in Austin, Texas. Four teenage girls—Jennifer Harbison (17), her sister Sarah Harbison (15), Eliza Thomas (17), and Amy Ayers (13)—were bound, gagged, and shot in the head. The perpetrators set the shop on fire, destroying crucial evidence. Despite extensive investigations, the case remained unsolved for decades, leading to wrongful convictions and a prolonged search for justice. The recent breakthroughs have provided closure to the victims’ families and the Austin community.
Implications and Ongoing Investigations
The identification of Brashers has opened new avenues for solving other cold cases. Investigators are now re-examining unsolved crimes in states where Brashers was known to have resided, including Missouri, South Carolina, and Kentucky. The case underscores the importance of advancements in forensic science and inter-agency collaboration in solving long-standing cold cases.
Conclusion
The resolution of the 1991 Austin yogurt shop murders and the connection to the 1998 Kentucky homicide represent significant milestones in criminal justice. The identification of Robert Eugene Brashers as the perpetrator brings a measure of closure to the victims’ families and highlights the critical role of forensic advancements in solving complex cases.
FAQ
Who was Robert Eugene Brashers?
Robert Eugene Brashers was a serial killer and rapist who committed multiple murders and sexual assaults across several states between 1990 and 1998. He died by suicide in 1999.
What is the connection between Brashers and the 1991 Austin yogurt shop murders?
Advances in forensic science, including DNA analysis and ballistic evidence, linked Brashers to the 1991 yogurt shop murders in Austin, Texas, where four teenage girls were killed.
How was Brashers linked to the 1998 Kentucky homicide?
Investigators found a match between a .380-caliber shell casing from the 1998 Lexington, Kentucky, homicide and one from the 1991 Austin yogurt shop murders, leading to DNA testing that confirmed Brashers as the perpetrator.
What happened to the individuals previously charged in the Austin yogurt shop murders?
Based on new evidence, the Travis County District Attorney’s Office filed motions to exonerate Michael Scott, Robert Springsteen, Maurice Pierce, and Forrest Welborn, who were wrongfully accused and charged in 1999.
What is the significance of this case in solving cold cases?
The case highlights the importance of advancements in forensic science and inter-agency collaboration in solving long-standing cold cases, bringing closure to victims’ families and communities.
Key Features of the Case
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Perpetrator Identified | Robert Eugene Brashers |
| Victims | Jennifer Harbison (17), Sarah Harbison (15), Eliza Thomas (17), Amy Ayers (13) |
| Location of Murders | I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt! shop, Austin, Texas |
| Date of Murders | December 6, 1991 |
| Connection to Kentucky Homicide | 1998 murder of Linda Marie Rutledge in Lexington, Kentucky |
| Evidence Linking Cases | Ballistic evidence and DNA analysis |
| Outcome for Wrongfully Accused | Exoneration of Michael Scott, Robert Springsteen, Maurice Pierce, and Forrest Welborn |
| Significance | Advancements in forensic science and inter-agency collaboration in solving cold cases |
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