TX TX - Yogurt Shop Murders, Austin, 6 Dec 1991 - Robert Eugene Brashers (died by suicide in 1999)

[Dotta]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1972338846902681783

 

[Gordon_]

Consider how much is spent investigating an unsolved homicide. It can run into hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. Then consider what the most advanced DNA test costs, its pennies on the dollar. DNA testing is fast, decisive, and cost-effective and that’s just in absolute terms. When it also prevents future crimes by stopping offenders sooner, the return is beyond measure.

Right, that's a great point which highlights everything well. ty.

 

[kemo]

There is some evidence that there were two perpetrators involved. Witnesses reported seeing two men in the shop after everyone else had left, there is degraded DNA the is believed to belong to a second, as of yet unidentified male, and the problems inherent with one assailant controlling 4 victims. It is certainly not impossible that Brashers acted alone and he is not known to have had accomplices in other crimes he committed but you never know. The status of the second unidentified DNA has never been clarified. It was apparently identified through Y-DNA testing but Law Enforcement has not indicated that they are convinced it represents an actual participant in the crime. The profile obtained was sufficient, however, to rule out all of the four original suspects. It possibly represents contamination or is otherwise unrelated to the crime. It sounds like it could be used for comparison with any new suspect that might be identified.

Brashers was known to travel around quite a bit but it isn’t known, at this point, what he was doing in Austin at the time. I suppose the FBI is attempting to identify known associates, who will checked out for possible involvement in this or other cases. I am curious if there are any unsolved murders of men in the Austin area (or anywhere in Texas) in the period after the murders. It isn’t that unusual for a murderer to eliminate an accomplice he does not trust.

 

[gregjrichards]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1972338846902681783

I can't imagine what it must be like to know your father is a serial killer who has committed the worst possible crimes and caused so much devastation and suffering to many families. It is shocking that he was able to carry out crimes in several different states.

It would be good to know how he may have changed his appearance over the years. I'm wondering if he always had a moustache or a beard or if he was ever clean-shaven. He just looks like an everyday guy in the police and in other photos he doesn't look creepy like other serial killers, like Rodney Alcala and others.

 

[Dotta]

I can't imagine what it must be like to know your father is a serial killer who has committed the worst possible crimes and caused so much devastation and suffering to many families. It is shocking that he was able to carry out crimes in several different states.

It would be good to know how he may have changed his appearance over the years. I'm wondering if he always had a moustache or a beard or if he was ever clean-shaven. He just looks like an everyday guy in the police and in other photos he doesn't look creepy like other serial killers, like Rodney Alcala and others.

The moustache was the distinguishing feature - that's for sure.
But maybe it was common during those times?

This criminal was monstrous.
Daughter described him as "intelligent",
and he certainly managed to fly under the radar.

This is a new case for me and I'm appalled.

RIP to all Innocent Victims

JMO

 

[Notthisshipsister]

I know theoretically it’s possible for 1 man to commit this atrocity - I just wonder if it’s likely. It seems like such a risk for a single perpetrator to attempt this crime against 4 teenaged girls alone, even if he was armed. All of a sudden you’ve got 4 times the chance of somebody managing to run away and sound the alarm, to fight back etc.
If it were 2 perpetrators, all of a sudden that halves that chance and increases their control and so on.
Either way, I’m sure we will find out at the press conference.
All imo.

To my mind, it wouldn't be that difficult. When he entered the yogurt shop, no matter how many of the girls were up front-- even only 1-- he could have pointed the gun at them to intimidate them into going to wherever the other girls were. I think that a gun is VERY intimidating and none of the girls would have risked having another shot because of something that they did.

 

[twall]

Just read Brashers thread here (MO - MO - Robert Eugene Brashers Serial Rapist & Killer) and realized he was featured on an episode of The Genetic Detective (2020) which features CeCe Moore's work and an On The Case with Paula Zahn episode. I know I watched all episodes of TGD but not sure if I watched OTCwPZ. I did a re-watch of Evil Lives Here and am going to search for the other 2 and watch if they are still available.

 

[twall]

There is some evidence that there were two perpetrators involved. Witnesses reported seeing two men in the shop after everyone else had left, there is degraded DNA the is believed to belong to a second, as of yet unidentified male, and the problems inherent with one assailant controlling 4 victims. It is certainly not impossible that Brashers acted alone and he is not known to have had accomplices in other crimes he committed but you never know. The status of the second unidentified DNA has never been clarified. It was apparently identified through Y-DNA testing but Law Enforcement has not indicated that they are convinced it represents an actual participant in the crime. The profile obtained was sufficient, however, to rule out all of the four original suspects. It possibly represents contamination or is otherwise unrelated to the crime. It sounds like it could be used for comparison with any new suspect that might be identified.

Brashers was known to travel around quite a bit but it isn’t known, at this point, what he was doing in Austin at the time. I suppose the FBI is attempting to identify known associates, who will checked out for possible involvement in this or other cases. I am curious if there are any unsolved murders of men in the Austin area (or anywhere in Texas) in the period after the murders. It isn’t that unusual for a murderer to eliminate an accomplice he does not trust.

I am not convinced Brashers was a the lone perp in the YSM due to the DNA and the .380 rounds. I have not found clarification on what caliber casing was found in the drain or what type of gun he used to kill himself. I did find where a .22 linked the Scherer murders and the TN shooting later the same day.

Sherri and Megan Sherer were shot with a .22 caliber gun in their farmhouse near Portageville, MO in March of 1998.

Police said the killer, two hours later and 40 miles away on the same day in March 1998, also tried to kill a woman in Dyersburg, Tennessee. Police said the woman fought with the attacker, and he shot her through the door of her mobile home, but she survived.

Ballistics tests linked him back to the Scherer case, connecting all three cases.

Police chief: ‘Violent serial rapist and murderer’ killed Greenville woman in 1990

Greenville police chief Ken Miller announced investigators found Genevieve “Jenny” Zitricki’s killer: a man also responsible for the murders of other women and children across three states over a ten-year-period.

www.foxcarolina.com

Hoping for more clarification after tomorrow's presser which I will probably miss in real time as I have a dr's appt. Not sure of the time of it yet though. If anyone knows please post!

 

[bajaflash]

To my mind, it wouldn't be that difficult. When he entered the yogurt shop, no matter how many of the girls were up front-- even only 1-- he could have pointed the gun at them to intimidate them into going to wherever the other girls were. I think that a gun is VERY intimidating and none of the girls would have risked having another shot because of something that they did.

I think people underestimate how controlling a firearm is. Your only option is to rush the attacker, and as teenagers they were likely in shock and terror, and in a few seconds he could easily take every single one of them down with a bullet.

 

[SolVic]

I, uh… wow. I didn’t expect that. I really wasn’t expecting it to be Brashers.

Jesus Christ, what other crimes could this guy possibly be involved in?!

 

[gremlin444]

@twall and @kemo

Do either of you have any links to modern news articles (like 2009 or later) that state there was a second degraded DNA? I have not been able to really track down much info on this.

 

[Gordon_]

I, uh… wow. I didn’t expect that. I really wasn’t expecting it to be Brashers.

Jesus Christ, what other crimes could this guy possibly be involved in?!

Its crazy I was reading an old thread about him today on here from like 6 years ago mostly a timeline of his crimes that were known up to that point, little did we know he was involved in this crime, which I think in terms of the internet was easily one of the most talked about unsolved cases.

 

[AuDHD]

JMO but serial killer Richard Speck controlled 8+ victims in one go. It can definitely be done. I’m sure he fed the girls a story and wasn’t shy about threats/ waving gun around. Just terrible

 

[dotr]

Sep 28, 2025 #KEYE #CBSAustin #News
A 34-year-old unsolved murder case in Austin is gaining renewed attention as police name a new suspect in the infamous 'Yogurt Shop Murders' from 1991.

 

[twall]

@twall and @kemo

Do either of you have any links to modern news articles (like 2009 or later) that state there was a second degraded DNA? I have not been able to really track down much info on this.

No, just going by past statements by defense attorney and lab reports in the most recent book I read on the case "Who Killed These Girls?" by Beverly Lowry.
As Erin Moriarty states in her latest interview with CBS Austin and as I stated in my post we won't know more details about the DNA testing until tomorrow/I am hoping for clarification tomorrow. She did answer one of my questions about the caliber found in the drain and suicide is a .380 so if there is no unknown DNA found on the victims I will be convinced Brashers committed the YS crimes alone.

 

[RaechelK]

This article talks a little bit about what DNA was found at the scene:

"In addition to the DNA found on Ayers, defense lawyers say they found DNA from the same male in a vaginal swab taken from Jennifer Harbison. They also found another partial DNA profile in Sarah Harbison, which is not complete enough to determine who it belongs to, according to defense lawyers. Finally, they found unknown male DNA on clothing used to bind the wrists of Thomas."

FROM THE ARCHIVES: DNA prompts dismissal, but district attorney vows to continue inquiry

Prosecutors ordered old evidence tested again using new, previously unavailable DNA technology.

www.statesman.com