👋 Welcome Back, Case Crackers

When a crime stays buried for decades, hope often fades. But this week’s development reminds us; persistence, science, and justice can still collide. In December 1991, four young girls were bound, shot, and left in a burning yogurt shop in Austin, Texas. Generations of investigators chased leads that went cold. Now, thanks to cutting-edge forensic tools and dogged detective work, the case has shifted. Today, we walk you through the evidence, the history, the twist that reopened old wounds, and what it means for the families who waited so long for answers.

🔎 Full Case Story — What We Know

On the night of December 6, 1991, in a strip mall in North Austin, a nightmare unfolded at I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt! shop. Two shift workers—Eliza Thomas (17) and Jennifer Harbison (17)—were preparing to close for the night. Their friend Amy Ayers (13) and Jennifer’s sister Sarah Harbison (15) joined them inside as they arranged to drive home together. As they worked, someone slipped in through a back door. Within minutes, the four were overpowered, bound with their own underwear, gagged with cloth, and shot dead. The assailant then set the shop on fire.

Firefighters arriving to extinguish flames discovered the bodies, three of them severely charred. Autopsy reports would later reveal that each girl was shot in the head. At least one victim had been sexually assaulted.

In the years that followed, investigators considered many suspects. In 1999, four young men—Robert Springsteen, Michael Scott, Maurice Pierce, and Forrest Welborn, were arrested. Two of them, Springsteen and Scott, admitted involvement in interrogations and were convicted. But over time, recantations, disputes over forced confessions, and lack of physical evidence in the original case cast serious doubt.

In 2009, both convictions were overturned after DNA evidence excluded them as sources. The state dropped charges, freeing all suspects.

Then came the breakthrough: Robert Eugene Brashers, a serial killer who died by suicide in 1999, was recently identified via advanced DNA testing. His profile was matched to a bullet casing found in a drain at the crime scene, reportedly consistent with the firearm he used to take his own life.

Brashers had previously been tied to violent crimes in Missouri, South Carolina, and Texas, including rape and murder, making his criminal history both wide and violent.

Austin Police have stated the case is still open, and further details will be shared in a press conference.

🔔 Breaking News — Latest Developments

• Austin law enforcement described the new suspect identification as a “significant breakthrough”, emphasizing years of cold-case work never ceased.
• The HBO docuseries “The Yogurt Shop Murders”, released earlier in 2025, is credited with reigniting public interest and pushing new tips into investigators’ hands.
• Brashers’ daughter, Deborah Brashers-Claunch, has publicly expressed sorrow and apologized to the families, saying she was too young to understand at the time but hopes this brings closure.
• Investigators say this case is not closed — further forensic tests, interviews, and case reviews are ongoing.

🕊 Victim Voices — Remembering Their Lives

Eliza Thomas, 17 — Worked the closing shift at the yogurt shop. Known by friends as a responsible, caring teenager.
Jennifer Harbison, 17 — Sister to Sarah, also employed at the shop. Described as protective and loving to her younger sister.
Sarah Harbison, 15 — Quiet, creative, and devoted to her family. She joined the group late at night to travel with them.
Amy Ayers, 13 — A younger friend to Sarah, full of potential and often seen as the quiet, thoughtful one in her circle.

Each girl had her dreams, her daily life, and a place in the homes and hearts of their families and communities. Their names should not be tied only to tragedy — they deserve to be remembered fully.

🩺 Tip of the Week — “Cold Cases Are Never Silenced”

1. Track official updates — Subscribe to news alerts, public records, and law enforcement press releases.
2. Mobility matters — If a docuseries, podcast, or investigative show brings new listeners, share it. Fresh eyes can tip a case.
3. Tip responsibly — If you have historical information (phone logs, diaries, local memories), pass them to law enforcement through official channels.
4. Support forensic innovation — Advocate for funding cold case units or organizations that provide advanced DNA testing resources.
5. Respect victims’ families — Share facts, not rumors. Honor the memory of victims by seeking truth, not sensationalism.

🧩 Case Crackers — The Yogurt Cipher

Test how sharp your attention was with these clues:

Clue 1: How many victims?
Clue 2: What year did the murders take place?
Clue 3: How many years passed before the new suspect was identified?

Convert each number to its letter (1 = A, 2 = B … 26 = Z), then arrange them in that same order to form a three-letter code. Send us your guess, the answer and its meaning will be revealed next issue.

🔎 Detective’s Extras

“The Yogurt Shop murders were solved within a year of the crime.” True or False?

Which investigative detail was the turning point in solving the case?

a) Witness accounts from the night of the fire
b) DNA samples preserved from the crime scene
c) Confessions obtained in the 1990s

Reflective Question: Why do you think the case lingered unsolved for so long despite preserved evidence? How does this highlight the importance of technological progress — and persistence — in criminal justice?

🛑 Warning Signs & Prevention

Cold cases often fade, but their lessons should not. In high stakes investigations, certain red flags are often visible in hindsight:

• Meticulous crime scenes: The Yogurt Shop murders weren’t random; they bore signatures of planning, control, and staging.

• Evidence survive when expected destroyed: Even in arson cases, preserved DNA or trace elements in drains or hidden spots can be the breakthrough.

• Wrongful confessions: When suspects are tied into cases without scientific backing, false confessions can mislead investigations for years.

• Technology catches up: Advances in genealogy DNA, Y-STR analysis, and forensic tools can revitalize cold investigations decades later.

• Public and media impact: Renewed attention—through documentaries, social media, or family campaigns—can generate new leads and tips.

This case proves that even after decades of silence, truth can surface when evidence, persistence, and science converge.

🗣 Have Your Say – Help Shape the Next Solved Files

We love hearing from our Case Crackers community—your ideas and feedback keep our investigations sharp and our stories gripping.

This week, we’re asking:

• Which cases or true crime topics do you want us to tackle next?

• Do you like the mix of features we include, or is something missing?

• Would you enjoy more behind-the-scenes looks, expert interviews, or interactive challenges?

💡 Your thoughts matter, fill out our quick feedback form HERE —and you might just see your suggestion featured in an upcoming edition.

Together, we’ll uncover the stories that matters most.

🔦 This Week’s Must-Watch Moment

You’ve just read about the decades-long mystery of the Yogurt Shop Murders; a case that haunted Austin for 34 years before a suspect was finally named. But if you want to go deeper into the world of real crime, you don’t have to wait until next week.

🎥 On our Solved Files Bodycam Channel, you’ll see crime unfold in real time — through the unfiltered lens of police cameras and interrogation room footage.

What you’ll find there:

• Traffic stops that escalate in seconds.
• Interrogations where suspects realize their lies won’t hold.
• Domestic calls that reveal hidden dangers inside ordinary homes.
• Split-second decisions where everything hangs in the balance.

This isn’t retelling. This is reality — raw, tense, and unforgettable.

👉 Subscribe now to Solved Files Bodycam on YouTube and see the moments that define true crime. Because sometimes, the story isn’t in the reports — it’s in the footage.

🕵 Detective’s Social Tease — More Clues Await

While you wait for the next newsletter, keep your detective instincts sharp with our daily updates. On TikTok & Instagram, you’ll find crime polls that test your gut instincts, behind-the-scenes clues from our investigations, and bite-sized true crime drops you can watch anywhere.

And if you want to dig deeper, join us on Patreon for full trial timelines, extended case files, and uncut interviews you won’t see anywhere else.

Thanks for joining us on this week’s investigation. Every detail we uncover is another step toward the truth, and we’re glad you’re on the case with us. Until next time, keep your eyes sharp, your instincts sharper, and your notepad ready. The next mystery is already waiting.