Serial killer identified through DNA as suspect in 1991 Austin yogurt shop murders | Forensic Files

And now to a stunning twist in a murder case that is haunted that has haunted rather Austin, Texas for more than 30
years. Happened back in 1991. Four teenage girls were found shot and killed in a yogurt shop. For years, the
question swirled about who was responsible for this horrible crime until now. 48 Hours correspondent Erin
Morardi has covered this story for decades and she was first to report that police have now identified a suspect
through DNA and he is a serial killer. Using advanced technology, a DNA match was just discovered in the long unsolved
1991 yogurt shop murders. Many, including the retired original investigator John Jones, wondered if the
killings of the four teenage girls would ever be solved. And then Jones received
a call from a current detective. >> It was kind of one surprise after another, but it all made sense. And when
he got to the part about the DNA, I didn't quite know what to say. Jones told us that DNA found on one of
the teenagers bodies, including under her fingernails matched that of the deceased serial killer, Robert Eugene
Brashier. Brashier had been connected to three other murders in South Carolina and Missouri. In 1999,
after a standoff with police, Brashier shot and killed himself. The case may now be solved, but the images of
December 6th, 1991 will always remain with Jones. >> I can definitely still see it.
>> Eliza Thomas, Jennifer and Sarah Harbison, and Amy Ays have been tied up and shot in the head. And then the
yogurt shop was set on fire. A task force worked for years to find the killers. Billboards asked for help as the
victim's families and the city of Austin grieved. >> I remember the shock. >> Sonora Thomas was 13 years old when her
only sibling, Eliza, was murdered. >> You just hold on to anything you can to get through these moments that are so
impossible. >> Police. Over the decades, there were arrests, even convictions. But those
convictions were overturned. It left Jones and the families in emotional turmoil. Jones long ago made a pledge to
the families involving the shirt he wore on the night of the murders. >> The next time they saw me with that
green and white shirt on, that was a signal to them that, you know, we knew who did it. And now, 33 years later,
that shirt he saved all those years can finally be worn. But what do you want for the families?
>> I want them to know who actually killed her girls. Answer the question on the billboard.
Who killed these girls? He did. >> Boy, he did. Arian Mory, Erin Morardi joins us now from Austin where there
will be a news conference later this morning to give us the rest of the details. But Erin, I've been watching
this series on the HBO um on the HBO uh streaming service. So, I've been very fascinated by this case from the very
beginning. What can you tell us about this suspect and why has it been so difficult to solve this case after all
these years? >> You know, Gail, I hope they really have it. Um, this guy is a bad guy. Buriers
is a serial killer, rapist, and a pedophile, but most of his crimes happened after the yogurt shop. It
wasn't until after he shot himself that he was connected to the other murders. And then add to that that there was
whoever did kill these girls set the yogurt shop on fire. That destroyed so much of the evidence. Luckily, the
initial detectives hung on to some forensic evidence and preserved it, but then it was only a uh just a
semi-profile. So, those are some of the problems they've had in this case. All right, Erin, thank you very

More than 30 years after four teenage girls were killed at an Austin yogurt shop, police say new DNA testing has identified a serial killer as the suspect. CBS News correspondent Erin Moriarty, who has followed the case for decades, explains why the investigation took so long and what comes next.

CASE UPDATE: In September 2025, the Austin Police Department identified Robert Eugene Brashers, a serial killer and rapist, as the suspect in the Texas yogurt shop murders. Brashers, who is deceased, was tied to the murders through DNA testing. In February 2026, a judge declared innocent the four men who were wrongfully accused of the murders — formally exonerating them. In May 2026, the City of Austin agreed to pay a settlement of $35 million to be split among the men.

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Brief Summary

DNA links the 1991 yogurt shop murders to serial killer Robert Eugene Brashier, bringing closure to victims' families after decades of uncertainty.

Key points

Murder Case Twist. A DNA match reveals a suspect in the 1991 yogurt shop murders, a serial killer.

Episode highlights

Murder Case TwistA DNA match reveals a suspect in the 1991 yogurt shop murders, a serial killer.“The case may now be solved, but the images of December 6th, 1991 will always remain with Jones.”1:31Sep 30, 2025

Episode quotes

It was kind of one surprise after another, but it all made sense.

0:52WatchSep 30, 2025

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