The haunting case of the 1991 yogurt shop murders in Austin, Texas, is receiving renewed attention as the investigation into the tragic deaths of four teenage girls reaches a resolution. Jennifer Harbison, 17, and her younger sister, Sarah Harbison, 15, along with their friends Amy Ayers, 13, and Eliza Thomas, 17, were brutally murdered in a yogurt shop on December 6, 1991. The local community was left in shock, grappling with the loss of such promising young lives.
This Friday, February 27, a special episode of “20/20,” titled “Yogurt Shop Murders,” will delve into this chilling case that perplexed law enforcement for nearly 35 years. Former prosecutor Mindy Montford remarked on the case’s profound impact, stating, “When the yogurt shop murders took place, it changed Austin forever… it really took our innocence away.”
As the investigation unfolded, the girls were discovered in a tragic state, having been herded to the back of the shop, shot execution-style, and left tied up. This horrific crime became one of the most notorious unsolved cases in the area. Despite extensive efforts from families, which included billboards and dedicated tip lines, concrete leads remained elusive.
The investigation initially focused on a group of boys who were questioned shortly after the crime, but lack of physical evidence led to their dismissal as suspects. The murders remained unsolved for years until renewed attention brought the case back into the spotlight.
In the late 1990s, detectives revisited the evidence, reinvestigating the original suspects, which led to confessions — but later, these were recanted. The legal journey was complicated, with the convictions of the suspects overturned due to Supreme Court rulings regarding the use of confessions in court. Subsequently, DNA evidence cleared the suspects, but the actual murderer was still unknown.
Recently, however, in a significant breakthrough, Detective Dan Jackson analyzed an expelled shell casing linked to the case, revealing connections to a similar crime committed in Kentucky. Further investigation led officials to Robert Eugene Brashers, a deceased serial killer, whose violent history matched the nature of the yogurt shop murders.
The families of the victims expressed a mixture of relief and sadness as they have sought closure for decades. They are grateful for the perseverance shown by law enforcement and advocates who never stopped seeking justice. Following years of setbacks, on February 19, 2026, Maurice Pierce, Michael Scott, Robert Springsteen, and Forrest Welborn were officially exonerated, with the State of Texas acknowledging their wrongful accusations.
District Attorney José Garza issued heartfelt apologies during the exoneration hearing: “You were wrongfully accused and you are innocent, and I am so sorry for the role that our office played.” Michael Scott’s emotional response conveyed the weight of the ordeal: “Every day, I have carried the weight of a crime I did not commit. No court ruling can return the years and the love that were taken from me.”
The families of the victims are dedicated to preserving the memory and legacy of their daughters, believing that each girl would have made significant contributions to the community. A memorial now stands in honor of Amy, Jennifer, Sarah, and Eliza, reminding all of the lives cut short and the impact of their loss. Though the wounds remain, the resolution of the case brings a semblance of peace, highlighting the importance of persistence in the pursuit of justice and truth.