CeCe Moore is one of the world's leading genetic genealogists, using DNA and family-tree analysis to solve cases that once seemed impossible.
She joins us to discuss her work on the infamous Yogurt Shop Murders, the identification of Australia's Poona Dam John Doe, and how advances in forensic gene…CeCe Moore is one of the world's leading genetic genealogists, using DNA and family-tree analysis to solve cases that once seemed impossible.
She joins us to discuss her work on the infamous Yogurt Shop Murders, the identification of Australia's Poona Dam John Doe, and how advances in forensic genealogy are transforming criminal investigations around the world.
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In 1991, a fire at an Austin yoghurt shop led firefighters to a scene so horrific it would haunt them forever: four teenage girls murdered in one of Texas’ most shocking crimes.
The Yoghurt Shop Murders became a case that devastated families, traumatised a city, and remained unsolved for more than …In 1991, a fire at an Austin yoghurt shop led firefighters to a scene so horrific it would haunt them forever: four teenage girls murdered in one of Texas’ most shocking crimes.
The Yoghurt Shop Murders became a case that devastated families, traumatised a city, and remained unsolved for more than three decades. Now, thanks to advances in DNA technology, investigators believe they’ve finally identified the killer.
Margaret Brown, director of HBO and A24’s The Yoghurt Shop Murders, explains the wrongful confessions, the families’ fight for answers, and the extraordinary twists that changed everything.
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In our final part revisiting the Austin Yogurt Shop Murders, we will talk about how the case was solved after over three decades thanks to genetic genealogy. We will talk about the exoneration of the four men who were charged with the crime and remember the victims: Sarah and Jennifer Harbison, Eliz…In our final part revisiting the Austin Yogurt Shop Murders, we will talk about how the case was solved after over three decades thanks to genetic genealogy. We will talk about the exoneration of the four men who were charged with the crime and remember the victims: Sarah and Jennifer Harbison, Eliza Thomas, and Amy Ayers.
Who Killed These Girls? by Beverly Lowry
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We are revisiting one of the once most infamous unsolved cases, the Austin Yogurt Shop Murders, now that it has been solved. In Part 2, we will go through the four men who were eventually charged with the crime despite a lack of evidence, including their interrogations and how police got them to con…We are revisiting one of the once most infamous unsolved cases, the Austin Yogurt Shop Murders, now that it has been solved. In Part 2, we will go through the four men who were eventually charged with the crime despite a lack of evidence, including their interrogations and how police got them to confess.
Who Killed These Girls? by Beverly Lowry
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One of the most infamous cold cases in the true crime community has long been the Austin Yogurt Shop murders, a quadruple homicide in Austin, Texas in December 1991. Jennifer and Sarah Harbison, Eliza Thomas, and Amy Ayers were brutally killed inside an I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt! before the perpet…One of the most infamous cold cases in the true crime community has long been the Austin Yogurt Shop murders, a quadruple homicide in Austin, Texas in December 1991. Jennifer and Sarah Harbison, Eliza Thomas, and Amy Ayers were brutally killed inside an I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt! before the perpetrator set fire to the crime scene. Unfortunately, the case went cold, and despite an eventual conviction of four young men, the case remained unsolved until 2025, when genetic genealogy identified the true killer. We are revisiting the case now that it has been solved and in part 1, we will discuss the background, the crime, and the initial investigation.
Who Killed These Girls? by Beverly Lowry
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In tonight’s Night Watch, Katie breaks down one of Texas’ most haunting cases: the 1991 Yogurt Shop Murders. Four teenage girls were bound, assaulted, shot, and left in a burning yogurt shop, launching a massive task force and decades of fear in the community. Katie traces how investigators turned t…In tonight’s Night Watch, Katie breaks down one of Texas’ most haunting cases: the 1991 Yogurt Shop Murders. Four teenage girls were bound, assaulted, shot, and left in a burning yogurt shop, launching a massive task force and decades of fear in the community. Katie traces how investigators turned to the Reid Technique, extracted detailed confessions from four young men, and secured convictions despite a total lack of physical evidence tying them to the scene.
Then, the story flips as new Supreme Court rulings, advanced DNA testing, and a renewed cold case investigation dismantle those confessions and point toward a traveling serial predator. Thirty-four years later, a shell casing, Y-STR testing, genealogy, and a suicide weapon finally converge on one name: Robert Eugene Brashers.
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Just before midnight on December 6, 1991, an Austin, TX patrol officer called in a fire at a yogurt shop and requested firefighters and additional officers. Once they managed to get the fire under control, firefighters discovered the bodies of four teenage girls in the burned out remains of the buil…Just before midnight on December 6, 1991, an Austin, TX patrol officer called in a fire at a yogurt shop and requested firefighters and additional officers. Once they managed to get the fire under control, firefighters discovered the bodies of four teenage girls in the burned out remains of the building, all having been shot execution style and the building torched to cover up the crime.more
The brutal 1991 killing of four teenage girls at an Austin, Texas frozen-yogurt shop have taken a turn after advanced DNA testing identified a new suspect: Robert Eugene Brashers, a known serial killer who died in 1999. These killings were referred to as the Yogurt Shop Murders for decades, with man…The brutal 1991 killing of four teenage girls at an Austin, Texas frozen-yogurt shop have taken a turn after advanced DNA testing identified a new suspect: Robert Eugene Brashers, a known serial killer who died in 1999. These killings were referred to as the Yogurt Shop Murders for decades, with many in the true crime scene and beyond waiting for a resolution in the case.Try our coffee!! - www.CriminalCoffeeCo.comBecome a Patreon member -- > ｿ https://www.patreon.com/CrimeWeeklyShop for your Crime Weekly gear here --> ｿ https://crimeweeklypodcast.com/shopYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CrimeWeeklyPodcastWebsite: CrimeWeeklyPodcast.comInstagram: @CrimeWeeklyPodTwitter: @CrimeWeeklyPodFacebook: @CrimeWeeklyPodADS:1. https://www.UnCommonGoods.com/CrimeWeekly - Get 15% off your next gift!more
For decades, the unsolved Yogurt Shop Murders haunted Austin, Texas. Now, investigators say they’ve finally found the killer, thanks to a DNA match. We break down the latest developments in this infamous cold case and how justice may finally be within reach.
Murder: True Crime Stories is a Crime Ho…For decades, the unsolved Yogurt Shop Murders haunted Austin, Texas. Now, investigators say they’ve finally found the killer, thanks to a DNA match. We break down the latest developments in this infamous cold case and how justice may finally be within reach.
Murder: True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. For ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts.
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In 1991, Austin, Texas was shaken by the brutal murder of four teenage girls at a frozen yogurt shop. Bound, gagged, and shot execution-style before the store was set on fire, their deaths launched one of the most haunting investigations in Texas history. Decades later, we may finally know what real…In 1991, Austin, Texas was shaken by the brutal murder of four teenage girls at a frozen yogurt shop. Bound, gagged, and shot execution-style before the store was set on fire, their deaths launched one of the most haunting investigations in Texas history. Decades later, we may finally know what really happened that night.
Murder: True Crime Stories is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios. Listen wherever you get your podcasts. For ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts.
Don’t miss out on all things Murder: True Crime Stories!
After more than 33 years we finally get some closure in the infamous Yogurt Shop Murders case that has haunted Austin Texas since that sad and tragic night when four teen girls were brutally murdered. From The Austin Police Department - Austin Police have made a significant breakthrough in the 1991 …After more than 33 years we finally get some closure in the infamous Yogurt Shop Murders case that has haunted Austin Texas since that sad and tragic night when four teen girls were brutally murdered. From The Austin Police Department - Austin Police have made a significant breakthrough in the 1991 I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt murder case and we have new information. Our team never gave up working this case. For almost 34 years they have worked tirelessly and remained committed to solving this case for the families of Jennifer Harbison, Sarah Harbison, Eliza Thomas, and Amy Ayers, all innocent lives taken senselessly and far too soon. We have identified a suspect in these murders through a wide range of DNA testing. The suspect is Robert Eugene Brashers, who committed suicide in 1999. This remains an open and ongoing investigation.more
This week we take a good solid look at a case that has weighed heavy on the hearts and minds of everyone in the Lone Star state’s capital city. The Austin Yogurt Shop Murders is one of most infamous cases in Texas history. Despite the efforts of the APD it remains unsolved. In 1991 four girls were k…This week we take a good solid look at a case that has weighed heavy on the hearts and minds of everyone in the Lone Star state’s capital city. The Austin Yogurt Shop Murders is one of most infamous cases in Texas history. Despite the efforts of the APD it remains unsolved. In 1991 four girls were killed at the I Can’t Believe it’s Yogurt near the Northcross mall. Victims - Amy Ayers (13), Eliza Thomas (17), Jennifer Harbison (17), and Sarah Harbison (15) were shot and killed in the shop’s backroom before the business was set on fire. Police had many leads, some that turned into arrests, and two accused were charged, convicted, and released. Just this month HBO released a four part documentary titled The Yogurt Shop Murders.more
This week we take a good solid look at a case that has weighed heavy on the hearts and minds of everyone in the Lone Star state’s capital city. The Austin Yogurt Shop Murders is one of most infamous cases in Texas history. Despite the efforts of the APD it remains unsolved. In 1991 four girls were k…This week we take a good solid look at a case that has weighed heavy on the hearts and minds of everyone in the Lone Star state’s capital city. The Austin Yogurt Shop Murders is one of most infamous cases in Texas history. Despite the efforts of the APD it remains unsolved. In 1991 four girls were killed at the I Can’t Believe it’s Yogurt near the Northcross mall. Victims - Amy Ayers (13), Eliza Thomas (17), Jennifer Harbison (17), and Sarah Harbison (15) were shot and killed in the shop’s backroom before the business was set on fire. Police had many leads, some that turned into arrests, and two accused were charged, convicted, and released. Just this month HBO released a four part documentary titled The Yogurt Shop Murders.more
In 1991, Austin, Texas was rocked by one of the most horrifying crimes the city had ever seen: four young girls were brutally murdered and set on fire inside a local yogurt shop. The investigation would stretch on for decades, leading to four men being accused of the crime, yet lingering questions a…In 1991, Austin, Texas was rocked by one of the most horrifying crimes the city had ever seen: four young girls were brutally murdered and set on fire inside a local yogurt shop. The investigation would stretch on for decades, leading to four men being accused of the crime, yet lingering questions and evolving forensic evidence have continued to cast doubt on whether justice was truly served.
Now, with renewed attention to the case, we’re re-releasing our original Crime Junkie episode. Whether you’re revisiting the details or hearing them for the first time, this is your chance to dive back into the facts, the timeline, and the troubling unanswered questions.
Follow along on Instagram and TikTok @crimejunkiepodcast as we continue the conversation.more
December 6, 1991. Austin, Texas. After responding to a fire at a local yogurt shop, the authorities discover the burned nude bodies of four victims who have all been shot in the head: 17-year old employees Eliza Thomas and Jennifer Harbison; Jennifer’s 15-year old sister, Sarah Harbison; and Sarah’s…December 6, 1991. Austin, Texas. After responding to a fire at a local yogurt shop, the authorities discover the burned nude bodies of four victims who have all been shot in the head: 17-year old employees Eliza Thomas and Jennifer Harbison; Jennifer’s 15-year old sister, Sarah Harbison; and Sarah’s 13-year old friend, Amy Ayers. Nearly eight years later, investigators arrest four suspects for the murders and while the charges against two of them are eventually dropped, the other two – Robert Springsteen and Michael Scott – had confessed to the crime, so they wind up being convicted at their respective trials. However, both men’s convictions are overturned due to civil rights violations and forensic testing reveals the presence of DNA on the victims which does not match any of the alleged perpetrators. In 2009, the charges against the two defendants are dismissed and they are released from prison, but there are no conclusive answers about who actually committed the crime. Last week, in Part One of our series on the Austin Yogurt Shop Murders, we shared the basic facts about the case. This week, in Part Two, we will attempt to analyze and break down this crime by sharing all the different theories about what happened.
If have any information about this case, please contact the Austin Police Department at (512) 472-TIPS (8477).
Additional Reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_Austin_yogurt_shop_killings
“Who Killed These Girls? The Unsolved Murders That Rocked a Texas Town” by Beverly Lowry
“Murdered Innocents” by Corey Mitchell
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/innocence-lost-the-yogurt-shop-murders-09-01-2010/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/yogurt-shop-murders-are-two-never-identified-customers-key-to-solving-austin-texas-case/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-yogurt-shop-murders-austin-texas-families-investigators-haunted-by-unsolved-case/
https://www.statesman.com/picture-gallery/news/2021/11/30/yogurt-shop-murders-austin-cold-case-photos/8798254002/
https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=3622
https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=3658
“The Trail Went Cold” is on Patreon. Visit www.patreon.com/thetrailwentcold to become a patron and gain access to our exclusive bonus content.
“The Trail Went Cold” is doing a weekly livestream show on Vokl every Thursday from 7:00-8:00 PM ET as part of their “True Crime Thursday” line-up. For more information, please visit their website.
“The Trail Went Cold” is going to be appearing on podcast row at “Crimecon” at the World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida on September 22-24, 2023. To get a 10 % discount on the purchase of tickets to the event, please use our specialized promo code, “COLD23”, by visiting https://www.crimecon.com.
The Trail Went Cold is produced and edited by Magill Foote.
All music is composed by Vince Nitro.more
December 6, 1991. Austin, Texas. After responding to a fire at a local yogurt shop, the authorities discover the burned nude bodies of four victims who have all been shot in the head: 17-year old employees Eliza Thomas and Jennifer Harbison; Jennifer’s 15-year old sister, Sarah Harbison; and Sarah’s…December 6, 1991. Austin, Texas. After responding to a fire at a local yogurt shop, the authorities discover the burned nude bodies of four victims who have all been shot in the head: 17-year old employees Eliza Thomas and Jennifer Harbison; Jennifer’s 15-year old sister, Sarah Harbison; and Sarah’s 13-year old friend, Amy Ayers. Nearly eight years later, investigators arrest four suspects for the murders and while the charges against two of them are eventually dropped, the other two – Robert Springsteen and Michael Scott – had confessed to the crime, so they wind up being convicted at their respective trials. However, both men’s convictions are overturned due to civil rights violations and forensic testing reveals the presence of DNA on the victims which does not match any of the alleged perpetrators. In 2009, the charges against the two defendants are dismissed and they are released from prison, but there are no conclusive answers about who actually committed the crime. This week, “The Trail Went Cold” will be releasing the first part of a special two-part episode about one of our most highly requested cases: the Austin Yogurt Shop Murders. Special thanks to listener Melissa Lovell for narrating the opening of this episode.
If have any information about this case, please contact the Austin Police Department at (512) 472-TIPS (8477).
Additional Reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1991_Austin_yogurt_shop_killings
“Who Killed These Girls? The Unsolved Murders That Rocked a Texas Town” by Beverly Lowry
“Murdered Innocents” by Corey Mitchell
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/innocence-lost-the-yogurt-shop-murders-09-01-2010/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/yogurt-shop-murders-are-two-never-identified-customers-key-to-solving-austin-texas-case/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-yogurt-shop-murders-austin-texas-families-investigators-haunted-by-unsolved-case/
https://www.statesman.com/picture-gallery/news/2021/11/30/yogurt-shop-murders-austin-cold-case-photos/8798254002/
https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=3622
https://www.law.umich.edu/special/exoneration/Pages/casedetail.aspx?caseid=3658
This episode of “The Trail Went Cold” is brought to you by HelloFresh. Go to HelloFresh.com/50wentcold and use code “50wentcold” for 50% off plus free shipping.
“The Trail Went Cold” is on Patreon. Visit www.patreon.com/thetrailwentcold to become a patron and gain access to our exclusive bonus content.
“The Trail Went Cold” is doing a weekly livestream show on Vokl every Thursday from 7:00-8:00 PM ET as part of their “True Crime Thursday” line-up. For more information, please visit their website.
“The Trail Went Cold” is going to be appearing on podcast row at “Crimecon” at the World Center Marriott in Orlando, Florida on September 22-24, 2023. To get a 10 % discount on the purchase of tickets to the event, please use our specialized promo code, “COLD23”, by visiting https://www.crimecon.com.
“The Trail Went Cold” will be appearing at the True Crime Podcast Festival, taking place at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Austin, Texas on August 25-27, 2023. To get a 15 % discount on the purchase of tickets, please our specialized promo code, “TRAIL”, by visiting https://truecrimepodcastfestival.com.
The Trail Went Cold is produced and edited by Magill Foote.
All music is composed by Vince Nitro.more
Shortly before 11:00pm on December 6, 1991, seventeen (17) year olds Eliza Thomas and Jennifer Harbison were busy going through the closing procedures at their part time job at the ‘I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt!” Shop in Austin, TX. With them at the shop were Jennifer’s younger sister, Sarah (age 15)…Shortly before 11:00pm on December 6, 1991, seventeen (17) year olds Eliza Thomas and Jennifer Harbison were busy going through the closing procedures at their part time job at the ‘I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt!” Shop in Austin, TX. With them at the shop were Jennifer’s younger sister, Sarah (age 15) and her best friend, Amy Ayers (age 13), who were waiting for Jennifer to get off work to drive them home for a sleepover. The younger girls had been to the mall shopping earlier in the evening, a...more
It was 1991 when four teenage girls were brutally killed inside a yogurt store in Austin, Texas. With no witnesses to the crime, police had very little to go on. But soon, there was a confession. Then another. And another. It was up to investigators to sort through the evidence and discover the trut…It was 1991 when four teenage girls were brutally killed inside a yogurt store in Austin, Texas. With no witnesses to the crime, police had very little to go on. But soon, there was a confession. Then another. And another. It was up to investigators to sort through the evidence and discover the truth.
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