Detective’s Unique Shirt Helps Solve Cold Case of Yogurt Shop Murders Bringing Closure to Victims’ Families
Former Detective Brings Closure to Families in Infamous Austin Yogurt Shop Murders
On September 29, 2025, former detective John Jones made a poignant return to Austin City Hall, wearing a green-and-white-striped shirt that symbolized the resolution of a case that had haunted the city for over three decades. A news conference at Austin City Hall confirmed the long-awaited breakthrough in the 1991 “I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt” murder case, offering closure to the families of the four teenage girls who lost their lives in this tragic event.
Breakthrough in 1991 Austin Yogurt Shop Murders
John Jones, who led the initial investigation into the 1991 yogurt shop murders, had vowed to the families of the victims that he would only wear the shirt again when the case was solved. That day arrived with the announcement that modern DNA testing had identified Robert Eugene Brashers as the prime suspect.
Jones, who retired from the Austin Police Department and later left Texas, always maintained a personal connection to the case, keeping some files and the distinctive shirt. His promise has finally been fulfilled through the advancements in forensic science.
The Gruesome Details of the Austin Yogurt Shop Murders
The events of December 6, 1991, remain etched in the memory of those touched by the tragedy. Responders to a fire at the yogurt shop on West Anderson Lane uncovered the bound, gagged, and burned bodies of Jennifer Harbison, Eliza Thomas, Sarah Harbison, and Amy Ayers. The grisly crime stunned the Austin community, and the desire for justice persisted over the years.
Advancements in DNA Testing Provide the Breakthrough
Despite numerous investigative efforts and the challenge of compromised evidence, the breakthrough came in 2017 when advanced DNA testing revealed a male profile that did not match any previously convicted individuals. The database match named Robert Eugene Brashers, linking him to multiple crimes across the southern United States.
Robert Eugene Brashers: A Serial Predator
| Year | Crime |
|---|---|
| 1985 | Attempted first-degree murder, aggravated battery, and firearm charges in Port St. Lucie, Florida. |
| 1990 | Rape and murder of Genevieve Zitricki in Greenville, South Carolina. |
| 1997 | Rape of a 14-year-old girl in Memphis, Tennessee. |
| 1998 | Rape and murder of Sherri Scherer and her daughter Megan in Portageville, Missouri. |
Brashers left a trail of violence and tragedy before fleeing from law enforcement in 1999. After a standoff, he committed suicide, but not before his heinous acts were uncovered through his DNA—closing multiple cold cases and finally bringing justice for the victims and their families.
The recent developments in the Austin yogurt shop murder case emphasize the relentless efforts of detectives like John Jones and the power of advancing technology in solving crimes, providing long-awaited solace to families affected by this historical tragedy.
