Austin Identifies Suspect in 1991 Yogurt Shop Murders

Austin police say they have identified Robert Eugene Brashers as the suspect in the Dec. 6, 1991 “I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt!” murders after using DNA testing and genetic genealogy. On Dec. 6, 1991, Jennifer Harbison (17), Sarah Harbison (15), Eliza Thomas (17) and Amy Ayers (13) were found bound, gagged, shot in the head and the shop set on fire. Brashers, who died by suicide during a 1999 police standoff and was previously linked by investigators to other murders and sexual assaults across multiple states, was connected to the Austin case through DNA and ballistics testing. Earlier arrests and convictions of young suspects in the case were later overturned or dismissed after DNA testing excluded those men. Authorities call the development a significant breakthrough, say the probe remains open, and plan further public briefings as they continue working with victims’ families.