Austin, September 30, 2025
News Summary
Robert Eugene Brashers has been identified as the suspect in the 1991 cold case murders of four teenage girls at an Austin yogurt shop. Advances in DNA analysis linked him to the crime scene and revealed his connection to other violent crimes. The case garnered renewed attention after years of investigative work, highlighting how forensic technology can solve long-unsolved cases. The families of the victims now seek closure as the investigation continues into Brashers’ potential links to other unsolved crimes.
Austin
Authorities have announced that Robert Eugene Brashers has been identified as a suspect in the cold case murders of four teenage girls at an Austin yogurt shop in December 1991. DNA evidence linked Brashers not only to these killings but also to a violent rape and murder in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1990.
The horrific murders occurred on December 6, 1991, at the “I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt!” shop in Austin. Four teenage girls—Amy Ayers (13), Eliza Thomas (17), and sisters Jennifer (17) and Sarah Harbison (15)—were attacked, bound with underwear, gagged with cloth, and shot in the head. Their bodies were later discovered by firefighters who were responding to a fire set to destroy evidence.
Recent advancements in DNA analysis allowed investigators to connect Brashers to the yogurt shop crime scene. His DNA from a previous unsolved case in Greenville matched that found under the fingernails of Amy Ayers, suggesting she struggled against her attacker. This significant advancement came after years of investigative work.
Brashers was identified by Greenville Police as a serial rapist and murderer in 2018. The investigation revealed that in April 1990, Genevieve “Jenny” Zitricki, aged 28, was killed in her apartment, leading the police to connect her murder to Brashers through DNA evidence. Authorities previously exhumed Brashers’ body in Arkansas to extract DNA for comparison with evidence linked to Zitricki’s case.
Brashers’ criminal history is extensive. In 1986, he was convicted for shooting a woman in Florida and sentenced to 12 years, though he served only 2.5 years. In March 1997, he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl in Tennessee, and on the same day in March 1998, Brashers murdered Sherri Scherer (37) and her daughter (12) in Missouri with a firearm. He also attempted to break into another home that day, where the resident survived after fighting back. Brashers died by suicide in 1999 following a standoff with Missouri police while facing multiple charges.
With the help of advanced DNA testing, investigators were able to reveal the extensive list of violent crimes committed by Brashers across multiple states in the 1990s, which remained unidentified until now. The connection to the Austin yogurt shop killings demonstrates how new forensic technology can solve long-cold cases.
The investigation gained momentum recently due to a combination of new DNA testing, ballistics examinations, and traditional police methods. Austin Police and the Texas Attorney General’s cold case unit traced Brashers’ history and movements after the yogurt shop incident, noting that he was driving a stolen truck from Georgia to visit his father in Arizona when he was stopped near El Paso shortly after the murders. A .380 caliber handgun found on Brashers during the stop matched the firearm used in the yogurt shop murders.
Multiple state and local agencies, alongside genetic genealogy specialists, coordinated to solve the case. For the families of the victims, the announcement has brought mixed feelings of relief and anguish, emphasizing the emotional toll the unsolved case has taken over the years. Austin Mayor Kirk Watson expressed hope that this breakthrough would help the community find closure and establish a stronger foundation for preventing similar crimes in the future.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to explore Brashers’ potential connections to other unsolved violent crimes.
FAQs
Who is Robert Eugene Brashers and what is he suspected of?
Robert Eugene Brashers has been identified as the suspect in the 1991 murder of four teenage girls at an Austin yogurt shop and is also linked to a violent rape and murder in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1990.
What happened during the yogurt shop murders?
The murders took place on December 6, 1991, at the “I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt!” shop in Austin, where four teenage girls were attacked, bound, gagged, shot in the head, and their bodies were discovered by firefighters who were responding to a fire set to destroy the evidence.
What evidence linked Brashers to the crime?
DNA from a previous case in Greenville matched Brashers to the yogurt shop crime scene, and advanced DNA testing revealed that Brashers had committed multiple violent crimes across multiple states in the 1990s.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Suspect | Robert Eugene Brashers |
| Victims | Amy Ayers (13), Eliza Thomas (17), Jennifer Harbison (17), Sarah Harbison (15) |
| Date of Killings | December 6, 1991 |
| Location | I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt! shop, Austin |
| DNA Evidence | Matched with DNA in previous case from Greenville, SC |
| Brashers’ Criminal History | Convictions for multiple violent crimes in various states |
| Investigation Status | Ongoing |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Breakthrough in Yogurt Shop Murders Case in Austin
DNA Evidence Identifies Suspect in Austin Yogurt Shop Murders
Prime Suspect Identified in Yogurt Shop Murders
Breakthrough in Yogurt Shop Murders Case
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Austin Police Identify Suspect in Yogurt Shop Murders
1991 Yogurt Shop Murders Case Solved in Austin
Breakthrough in 1991 Yogurt Shop Murders Case
Yogurt Shop Murders in Austin Finally Solved
DNA Evidence Links Suspect to 1991 Yogurt Shop Murders
Additional Resources
- Austin American-Statesman
- Wikipedia: Yogurt Shop Murders
- Fox News
- Google Search: Yogurt Shop Murders
- KVUE
- Google Scholar: Yogurt Shop Murders
- KXAN
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Yogurt Shop Murders
- NBC News
- Google News: Yogurt Shop Murders
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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.
