Authorities have identified Robert Eugene Brashers as the suspect in the 1991 Yogurt Shop Murders, bringing closure to the decades-old mystery.
AUSTIN, Texas — The Travis County District Attorney is taking the first steps to clear the names of the four men who were wrongly accused of murdering four teen girls in Austin 34 years ago.
On Dec. 6, 1991, Amy Ayers, Eliza Thomas and sisters Jennifer and Sarah Harbison were killed at the “I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt” shop.
At the end of Sept. 2025, Austin police announced they used DNA evidence to finally identify Robert Eugene Brashers, as their killer. He died by suicide in 1999, more than 25 years ago.
Back in 1999, Michael Scott, Robert Springsteen, Maurice Pierce and Forest Welborn were arrested and charged with four counts of capital murder. Two of them were convicted and spent years in prison before their cases were overturned.
On Thursday, the Travis County District Attorney announced he is starting the process to allow the men to be eligible for expunctions.
The DA filed a notice of exculpatory evidence and a motion to have counsel appointed for these four men’s cases.
In a statement shared with KVUE, Travis County District Attorney José Garza said the following:
“We are grateful to APD for never giving up their search for the truth, and for identifying the real killer: Robert Brashers. Thirty-four years is too long for anyone to have to wait for the criminal legal process to be over, and it is our hope that having counsel appointed for those wrongfully accused will be the first step in finally closing this case so that all involved can move forward.”
What are the Yogurt Shop Murders?
On Dec. 6, 1991, four teen girls were bound, gagged and killed at an I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt shop off West Anderson Lane in North Austin. The building was then set on fire, destroying what could have been a trove of forensic clues.
The victims were identified as 17-year-old Jennifer Harbison and her younger sister, 15-year-old Sarah Harbison; 17-year-old Eliza Thomas; and 13-year-old Amy Ayers. Thomas and Jennifer Harbison both worked at the yogurt shop, while Ayers and Sarah Harbison stopped in before closing time on the night of the crime.
The quadruple murder had a significant impact on the growing city of Austin and left many hungry for answers for decades.
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