Yogurt Shop Murders Case: 4 Texas Girls' Killing has been resolved after more than 30 years; 'DNA connects a dead man'

Authorities identified Robert Eugene Brashers, a deceased serial killer, as the suspect in the brutal murder of four teenage girls in Austin, Texas. Brashers, known for violent crimes in various states, died in 1999 by suicide during a police position. What happened at the yogurt store? In 1991, 17-year-old Eliza Thomas, 13-year-old Amy Ayers, 17-year-old Jennifer Harbison and 15-year-old Sarah Harbison were trapped, tied up with their own clothes and shot in the head in the “I can’t believe it’s yogurt!” Shop. The crime scene was set on fire to destroy evidence. How are brashers connected to the murders? Retired Austin detective John Jones, who worked on the case early, said DNA testimony connected brashers to the murders. “The gun he shot himself is presumably in line with a bullet casing found in a drain in the yogurt store,” Jones told CBS News. After the murders, four teenagers were charged. Robert Springsteen and Michael Scott were found guilty, but later released on appeal, while charges against Maurice Pierce and Forrest Welborn were abandoned amid demands of forced confessions and a lack of evidence. How did investigators finally resolve the matter? Police have re-visited old biological evidence using modern DNA techniques, including Y-Str testing, which isolate male DNA. Partial male DNA of one victim does not match the previously accused men. With the help of genetic genealogy, investigators traced the DNA to Brashers. What does the Austin police department say? “Our team never stopped working on this matter,” the department said. “They worked tirelessly for almost 34 years and were committed to solving this matter for the families of Jennifer Harbison, Sarah Harbison, Eliza Thomas and Amy Ayers.” What’s next? Brashers’ identification provides long -awaited answers to one of Austin’s most ghostly true crime symbols. The authorities are planning a news conference to discuss the investigation and discuss the following steps.